Saturday, January 17, 2015

Attorney Client Relationship


An attorney-client relationship is formed by mutual agreement. Attorney does not have to work on every matter for Client or work for every Client. Client does not have to hire Attorney in writing, and may terminate Attorney's representation at any time in writing (the right to be paid for work already performed is not terminated, however). The Attorney-Client relationship is a Principal-Agent relationship in which the Client is the Principal and the Attorney is the Agent.

In order for a duties as an Attorney (other than the duty of confidentiality which applies to prospective Clients as well as Clients) to arise, the Principal/Client must request legal advice, and the Agent/Attorney must agree to give legal advice. Signing this Agreement is not enough (all by itself) to create an Attorney-Client relationship. Signing the Agreement creates an Attorney and Prospective Client relationship. It is only when Client requests services and Attorney agrees to perform those services that an Attorney-Client relationship is formed.





Rights & Responsibilities of Client and Attorney.   A good fit between Attorney and Client is imperative. Client must have a working email address, and check it at least daily. Attorney will email attached documents to Client. Once Client has retained the Firm, Client can email Attorney questions directly. Please do not call with questions.

Clients' Bill of Rights

Client has the right to expect Attorney to follow the Rules of Professional Conduct.  In addition to that, Clients of MULVANEY LAW OFFICES, PLLC have the right to expect Attorney to put Clients' interests first in all things, not just in avoiding conflicts of interest, but in the broadest sense of commitment to Clients well being.  Clients should expect more than the minimum required.  Clients should expect that Christopher S. Mulvaney will not profit at their expense because profit is expansively defined to include the positive difference in the life of each Client.  A positive difference is not the same as a guaranteed outcome.  A positive difference includes how a Client feels about how Client was treated and whether Client believes Client made the best choice for Client after consideration of all alternatives.


Clients' Duties are the Attorney's Bill of Rights

Attorney has the right to expect Client to be honest, not withhold information or provide false information.

Attorney has the right to expect Client to communicate with Attorney regarding the representation and not communicate with other lawyers, the Bankruptcy Trustee, US Trustee, the media, or post online regarding the matter, or file complaints against adverse parties without telling attorney first.

Attorney has the right to expect Client to read the information on this web site and ask questions if Client doesn't understand something.


Attorney's Duties
Attorney's duties are numerous.  Below is an 81-page document containing the Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers in Washington State.

Key duties include:  Competence, Diligence, Communication, Confidentiality, Conflicts of Interest, Safeguarding Property, Trust Account Records, Declining or Terminating Representation, and Duties to Prospective and Former Clients.


 14205 SE 36th St Ste 100
Bellevue, WA 98006-1553
www.mulvaneylawoffices.com
Phone: 425-649-1190
Fax: 425-223-3197

chris@mulvaneylawoffices.com
 

 

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