He is also a very tricky guy to get ahold of in the best circumstances.
Do I fire him automatically?
Can I do this by telling him by email and asking for an accounting and the files of the case?
What if he proves to be hard to get in touch with over weeks say?
Real-life legal questions are better suited to IMHO. Moved from General Questions.
samclem, moderator
Temporary suspensions could be 30 days or three years. So, that’s a factor. Also, what kind of matter is he representing you on? One that has upcoming deadlines or other urgent need for action?
Finally, are you concerned about whatever conduct got him suspended in the first place? It’s usually for something you might not like, such as something not quite right with a client’s money or blowing deadlines repeatedly.
Anyway, no real way to give you advice over the internet. Maybe go see another lawyer you trust and explain all the details and see what he or she advises.
I would get another lawyer and have them fire the lawyer and handle everything for you. I had to fire a lawyer when I was trying evict a tenant , I called him on doing something wrong and he agreed with me and got back my retainer fee and used another lawyer . I found out later a judge asked him during a trial if he was a member of bar association . My he was my sister’s neighbor and she said he was good .
He had til today to fulfill lots of requirements including notifying clients. Guess I’ll wait a little while.
I wonder if I can find out why he was suspended. I don’t know what his notification to me is going to disclose.
By suspension, I assume that you mean that he was suspended from eligibility to practice law in the state in which he operates, in which case that state bar will have disciplinary records publicly available. Most if not all states have this information online going back at least a decade. As Procrustus says, if you are having difficulty getting a response, you should see another lawyer and have him or her recommend the appropriate course of action, which may result in additional disciplinary sanctions against your current lawyer if he does not respond to legitimate requests such as accounting or providing client files in a timely manner.
Stranger
It’s interesting. The MA bar has decisions up to 2015. They don’t update that quickly apparently. Not good for inquiring clients who need to know.
Do you have some pressing need to use your current lawyer? You mention that he’s hard to get a hold of. How hard? How long before he gets back to you? Does he respond to email?
I would get another lawyer, unless you have some super pressing need to use this guy.
I have an ongoing suit. He will probably send me notification. I’m going to get someone new. It’s just a nightmare to think about it.
I would start looking for someone right away. The sooner you get a new lawyer, the sooner they can be substituted in as counsel.
What kind of case is it?
employment, ada.
I’m not going to procrastinate but I just can’t do it at the moment. I really want to see what he says about it. Today is day 15, out of 14 days for him to notify.