Choosing the right lawyer to represent your case is critical. It can be all that stands between you and winning. To do so, you need a competent lawyer who will fight tirelessly for your rights. 

However, it’s not always easy to pick the right one. You can’t always tell if someone is a bad attorney. They know the right words to say and can be persuasive. Once they land the case, everything changes. It’s a familiar story, but it shouldn’t be.

Read on to learn the signs of a bad lawyer, including communication problems, lack of experience, unprofessional behaviors, and high fees. We want you to know what to look out for so that you can appreciate a good lawyer when you see one. 

Poor Communication and Unresponsiveness in Attorney-Client Relationship

Communication is one of the most critical elements of a successful attorney-client relationship. If you experience the following, you may be working with inadequate legal representation.

Lack of Communication

If you’ve ever been ghosted, you know it’s not a great feeling. It’s even worse when it’s a legal professional that you’ve engaged for their services! 

It’s your case, and you deserve updates on its progress. Even if there is no progress, regular check-ins can help you feel like a priority to your lawyer. You feel cared for and trust the open communication. 

On the other hand, infrequent updates can indicate a problem. Clients may feel neglected and think they’re forgotten. It may seem like lawyers are trying to hide something or prolong the case to maximize their fees.

When communication is lacking, many people will start to draw their own conclusions about why, and this is never a good thing.

Unreturned Calls and Emails

Lawyers are busy. They may not be available every time you call – and that’s okay! That’s not a red flag in itself. However, they should reasonably respond to client phone calls in a timely manner, typically within 24 hours.

If clients constantly call their lawyers and do not get through, they will start to worry. Clients feel similarly if they send emails that go unanswered. A bad lawyer lacks the communication skills to stay connected with clients.  

Difficulty in Scheduling Meetings

Many lawyers get new cases through free consultations, and an unwillingness to take them can be concerning. This behavior indicates that the attorney may be uninterested, lack the capacity for new clients, or be disorganized. 

If you have difficulty scheduling a consultation before they take your case, it’s a huge red flag. That type of behavior would likely continue if you hired them. You have the right to meet with your lawyer or a member of their team with reasonable notice to discuss your case. 

Signs of a Bad Attorney

Lack of Experience and Expertise With Legal Proceedings

Some lawyers are newer, and they don’t yet have real-life experience. Others may take the case without considering the required specialized knowledge. Regardless, a lack of experience and expertise in legal proceedings can be one of the signs of a bad attorney.

Unfamiliarity with Relevant Laws

To file a personal injury claim, you must find an attorney specializing in personal injury law. There are many nuances to the law, and choosing an attorney with a specific area in the relevant area of law is essential. 

They understand how to navigate the complex legal process and advocate on your behalf to get the largest settlement. A divorce attorney wouldn’t be as successful in a personal injury case as a personal injury lawyer

Do your research, and don’t meet with attorneys who don’t specialize in your case type. A bad law firm may try to take any case as long as they believe it will pay out.

No Track Record of Success

You can research the attorney’s past cases to see the outcomes. If they have a track record of success, they are likely competent.

However, this information may not be publicly available for all attorneys. Newer lawyers may lack a successful track record, and bad attorneys won’t advertise their losses. 

It’s critical that you take the time to research what you can and ask around for anyone with experience with the law firm to gauge their success rate.

Vague or Evasive Answers

A good lawyer gives clear and knowledgeable answers. They demonstrate confidence in their speech and actions. The opposite is true for an incompetent lawyer.

An incompetent lawyer may offer vague and evasive responses. They may not know the answer to the question off the top of their head. Instead of sharing, they’ll get back to you. An incompetent lawyer will try to hedge their bets with nonanswers. 

They lack confidence; if you can tell that, others will, too. Their lack of confidence will come through as they navigate the legal system. Incompetent lawyers are not strong advocates for justice. 

Unprofessional Behavior and Demeanor

Pay attention to how the lawyer behaves. Unprofessional behavior and demeanor can indicate bad lawyers. 

Disrespectful or Condescending Attitude

You want to work with an attorney who treats their clients with respect and dignity. It makes you feel like you matter and you’re worthy of getting justice. You’re more than just a paycheck to the law firm.

It can be very demeaning if your lawyer speaks to you disrespectfully or condescendingly. It can be demoralizing and make you question if you made the right call. You are their client, and even if you may not be as well-versed in the law as they are, it does not mean they can treat you like you are less than them.

A disrespectful or condescending attitude could cause significant issues in your case. If they are speaking to you like this, they are likely talking to others during the legal process the same way. 

Lack of Preparation and Organization

As you turn over your case files, you want someone who can quickly review and catalog them. The details should be easily referenced to help with potential outcomes, and they should have the proof to support their claims.

A disorganized attorney may have stacks of papers or unread emails. No client files are organized to help keep track of information. Instead, it’s all over the place. 

Because they can’t find your case details, they can be unprepared. The attorney cannot review the background unless they see the records or ask you for additional information. Bad lawyers may also confuse your case with others, reference incorrect or outdated laws, and other behaviors that impact your case negatively.

Missed Deadlines and Appointments

Your lawyer represents you throughout the entire process. They must remain aware of expected requirements, including deadlines, upcoming court appearances, and more. 

If they don’t, it can significantly impact your case. The judge may even toss it out if the behavior continues to happen. If you notice your lawyer is missing appointments with you or missing deadlines to deliver information, it’s a huge red flag. 

Financial Red Flags

It’s no secret that lawyers are expensive, but glaring financial red flags sometimes indicate potential clients should steer clear.

Unclear or Excessive Fees

Knowing precisely what you’re paying for is critical when working with an attorney. A transparent fee structure can clearly provide that, giving you a breakdown of each line item. 

As you review the fee structure, you’ll want to avoid attorneys with unusually high fees. If you’re unsure if the fee is high, do some research or ask your network. Also, if the attorney refuses to provide this information, they are likely trying to tack on additional costs to maximize their fee.

Personal injury cases are often only paid out if you win, so you need to know how much of your settlement will go to lawyer fees. 

Pressure to Settle Quickly

Some attorneys want to settle out of court and fast. These quick settlements are often not the best option for the client. The first offer is never the best, and you’re doing yourself a disservice if you simply accept it.

Instead of fighting for what’s right and exploring all options, the lawyer is ready to settle with an offer that’s good enough. This is a bad sign and will significantly impact the maximum compensation you can receive for your case.

Guaranteeing Specific Outcomes

No lawyer can guarantee a win, and if they do – run. Lawyers do their best to be your advocate, but they’re not psychic. They can’t predict the outcome of any case, so they can’t guarantee a win. 

In specific sectors, lawyers are only paid if you win. Therefore, it’s in their best interest to win your case. They review the details to make informed decisions about your likelihood to win. If they don’t think your odds of winning are high, the attorney may pass on the case.

It’s a fine line, but no lawyer can promise favorable outcomes.

Client Dissatisfaction and Negative Reviews are a Sign of a Bad Lawyer

You can’t tell what it’s like to work with an attorney. Many attorneys put on a facade, so you need to look at their actual clients to learn more.

Online Reviews and Testimonials

One of the best ways to tell the difference between good and bad lawyers is by checking their reviews. 

Experienced attorneys often have testimonials on their websites from happy clients. Be aware that lawyers cherry-pick these responses to ensure they highlight their strengths. Google reviews may be more unbiased, and you can also check their social media, trending information, and more. 

Previous clients can be candid about how they were treated and any issues they had with the attorney.

Complaints and Disciplinary Actions

The local bar association will have a record of any complaints or disciplinary actions filed against the attorney. If they have any, you may be working with an incompetent lawyer. 

Look at the types of claims, how many, etc. If they practice in other states, check with the bar association there, too. 

Secure Expert Legal Representation

Not all law firms are bad, and Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can show you what it’s like to work with qualified and experienced lawyers for your legal matters.

Contact us today by calling (888) 424-5757. Our staff will provide a free consultation to discuss your case. We’ll ensure you have the right personal injury law representation to maximize your compensation.

After our initial consultation, you’ll understand what working with a competent attorney is like. We advocate in your best interests to help you seek justice.