Clients' Rights
1. You are entitled to be treated with courtesy and consideration at all times by
your New York lawyer and the other lawyers and personnel in your lawyer's office.
2. You are entitled to a New York 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 New York 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 New York
injury 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. In the event of a fee dispute, you
may have the right to seek arbitration; your New York attorney will provide you with
the necessary information regarding arbitration in the event of a fee dispute, or
upon your request.
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 dealings 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.
