Client Rights

Statement Of Client's Rights & Responsibilites

Consultation Guide

Figeroux & Associates, managing partner, Brian Figeroux, explains some very important points you should know before your schedule a consultation. The main purposes of your consultation are – to learn about the legal issue you are facing; to inform you about all of your options at this point in time; and to determine the best avenue to pursue in resolving your legal issue.
We believe the consultation is one of the most important parts of the legal process. During the appointment, we can gain information from you to understand your unique situation and goals in the legal process.

Our job at Figeroux & Associates, as your attorney would be to:
-Recognize and preserve your claims
-Understand exceptions to the rules
-Ensure timeliness and navigating deadlines
-Present arguments and evidence to support your claim
-Assist in cross examination and witness testimony
-Negotiate to settle in your best interest

Here are some consultation tips:
-Know that what you tell your attorney will be kept completely confidential
-Do not be embarrassed to tell your attorney any personal secrets that may be important in any way to your case.
-Tell your attorney all of the facts so he or she can accurately assess the given situation.
-Bring to your consultation documents relevant to your legal matter and a list of people involved with their contact information.
-Please avoid bringing an overload of papers and documents for your attorney to sort through.
-Ask many questions, such as what are the potential outcomes to your case or what is your attorney’s background and experience.
-Know that even if your consultation does not result in an attorney-client relationship, you can trust us that your personal information will remain completely confidential.

We at Figeroux & Associates would like to prepare you as much as we can for your consultation. Your time with your attorney is important and we want to make sure that you get the most out of your initial consultation as possible. We look forward to meeting with you and hope your consultation leads to a strong attorney-client relationship.

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Statement of Client’s Rights

-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.
-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).
-You are entitled to your lawyer’s independent professional judgment and undivided loyalty, uncompromised by conflicts of interest.
-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. In the event of a fee dispute, you may have the right to seek arbitration; your attorney will provide you with the necessary information regarding arbitration in the event of a fee dispute, or upon your request.
-You are entitled to have your questions and concerns addressed in a prompt manner and to have your telephone calls returned promptly.
-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.
-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).
-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.
-You are entitled to have your attorney conduct himself or herself ethically in accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility.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 insight, education, sound judgment, protection, advocacy and representation. These expectations can be achieved only if the client fulfills the following responsibilities:
-The client is expected to treat the lawyer and the lawyer’s staff with courtesy and consideration.
-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.
-The client must honor the fee arrangement as agreed to with the lawyer, in accordance with law.
-All bills for services rendered which are tendered to the client pursuant to the agreed upon fee arrangement should be paid promptly.
-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.
-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’s time and attention.
-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.
-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.
-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.
-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.