How To Trust A New Attorney After Your First One Violated The Code Of Ethics

Let's face it: no one in the entire world is perfect, so it's not surprising to find out that your attorney is capable of making mistakes from time to time. Making an error, even as a lawyer involved in an important case, is a part of being human. Unfortunately from time to time, some lawyers are caught going beyond a simple mistake into the realm of criminal negligence or actions. If you've discovered that your attorney wasn't following the rules or disobeying the code of ethics that the law has set up, it's likely that you'll want to file a complaint against the individual. Additionally, you may want to talk to a new personal injury attorney if your case was botched due to the actions of your first lawyer—but how can you trust a new one after all you've been through? 

Understanding the Code of Ethics

A code of ethics is a valuable piece of regulation that lawyers are expected to abide by, including rules involving competence, scope of representation, diligence, and communication with clients. While each state differs regarding the specific rules attorneys must follow, one thing is certain—if a lawyer disregards their state's code of ethics, they'll likely be forced to face some form of punishment.

Visible Disregard of the Code

There are many different ways that a lawyer can violate their sworn code of ethics, but if your case involves something similar to one of the examples below, it may be time to file an official complaint:

• Misrepresentation of your case. In other words, claiming that he has years of experience in the area of law you're dealing with, when in reality very little experience has been accrued.
• A conflict of interest in your case. This can include any form of help to the other side (for example providing your spouse with damaging information about you in the midst of a divorce case).
• Not providing sufficient information. By not providing you with information that has been gained about your case and using it to your advantage, your lawyer could be violating the code of ethics.

Learning to Trust Again

Just as everyday people violate the law of the United States, so some lawyers may choose to do the same. While it is unfortunate to get wrapped up in a case where you're unfairly represented due to a violation of the code of ethics, keep in mind that the majority of lawyers are trustworthy and helpful. By talking to a new attorney and filing a complaint against your first, you may even be able to sue the first attorney for legal malpractice. Despite what's happened to you in the past, continue to move forward knowing that trustworthy and honest experts will join you to justly fight for your cause.

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