Statement of Client's Rights
Pursuant to the authority vested in the Appellate Divisions
of the Supreme Court of New York State, Part 1210 to Title
22 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations
of the State of New York, you are entitled to the following
rights by every attorney:
1. You are entitled to be treated with courtesy and consideration
at all times by your lawyer and the other lawyers and personnel
in your lawyer's office.
2. You are entitled to an attorney capable of handling your
legal matter competently and diligently, in accordance with
the highest standards of the profession. If you are not satisfied
with how your matter is being handled, you have the right
to withdraw from the attorney-client relationship at any time
(court approval may be required in some matters and your attorney
may have a claim against you for the value of services rendered
to you up to the point of discharge).
3. You are entitled to your lawyer's independent professional
judgment and undivided loyalty uncompromised by conflicts
of interest.
4. You are entitled to be charged a reasonable fee and to
have your lawyer explain at the outset how the fee will be
computed and the manner and frequency of billing. You are
entitled to request and receive a written itemized bill from
your attorney at reasonable intervals. You may refuse to enter
into any fee arrangement that you find unsatisfactory.
5. You are entitled to have your questions and concerns addressed
in a prompt manner and to have your telephone calls returned
promptly.
6. You are entitled to be kept informed as to the status
of your matter and to request and receive copies of papers.
You are entitled to sufficient information to allow you to
participate meaningfully in the development of your matter.
7. You are entitled to have your legitimate objectives respected
by your attorney, including whether or not to settle your
matter (court approval of a settlement is required in some
matters).
8. You have the right to privacy in your dealing with your
lawyer and to have your secrets and confidences preserved
to the extent permitted by law.
9. You are entitled to have your attorney conduct himself
or herself ethically in accordance with the Code of Professional
Responsibility.
10. You may not be refused representation on the basis of
race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age,
national origin or disability.
Statement of Client's Responsibilities
Reciprocal trust, courtesy and respect are the hallmarks
of the attorney-client relationship. Within that relationship,
the client looks to the attorney for expertise, education,
sound judgment, protection, advocacy and representation. These
expectations can be achieved only if the client fulfills the
following responsibilities:
1. The client is expected to treat the lawyer and the lawyer's
staff with courtesy and consideration.
2. The client's relationship with the lawyer must be one
of complete candor and the lawyer must be apprised of all
facts or circumstances of the matter being handled by the
lawyer even if the client believes that those facts may be
detrimental to the client's cause or unflattering to the client.
3. The client must honor the fee arrangement as agreed to
with the lawyer, in accordance with law.
4. All bills for services rendered which are tendered to
the client pursuant to the agreed upon fee arrangement should
be paid promptly.
5. The client may withdraw from the attorney-client relationship,
subject to financial commitments under the agreed to fee arrangement,
and, in certain circumstances, subject to court approval.
6. Although the client should expect that his or her correspondence,
telephone calls and other communications will be answered
within a reasonable time frame, the client should recognize
that the lawyer has other clients equally demanding of the
lawyer? time and attention.
7. The client should maintain contact with the lawyer, promptly
notify the lawyer of any change in telephone number or address
and respond promptly to a request by the lawyer for information
and cooperation.
8. The client must realize that the lawyer need respect only
legitimate objectives of the client and that the lawyer will
not advocate or propose positions which are unprofessional
or contrary to law or the Lawyer's Code of Professional Responsibility.
9. The lawyer may be unable to accept a case if the lawyer
has previous professional commitments which will result in
inadequate time being available for the proper representation
of a new client.
10. A lawyer is under no obligation to accept a client if
the lawyer determines that the cause of the client is without
merit, a conflict of interest would exist or that a suitable
working relationship with the client is not likely.
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