What can I do when my attorney has lied and misled me to hurry my case up,and not giving me the correct info.to prepare my case

See the full attorney answers on the linked page.

What can I do when my attorney has lied and misled me to hurry my case up,and not giving me the correct info.to prepare my case

See the full attorney answers on the linked page.

Is it legally required that I sign an Authorization/Engagement Letter from a Lawyer before he/she can represent me?

Anonymous May 11, 2015 Professional Ethics 9 views 3 answers

A friend of mine has offered to pay the Lawyer's fees involved in solving a problem with another company for me. I had the first meeting with the Lawyer, who did copies of the material I showed him. Since then all communication has either been over the phone or via e-mail. At no point has the Lawyer asked me to sign an Authorization/Engagement Letter authorizing him to represent me. Can this Lawyer represent me, without me authorizing him to do so?

Attorney Answers

Vjonas Urba

Vjonas Urba · Jun 15, 2026

Most of us almost always have the client sign a retainer or a confirmation letter which spells out what we will do for a client. Sometimes another person will pay the bill but then there is a potential conflict if the person paying the bill wants the lawyer to do something different from what the client might want. The lawyer has a duty to keep the client informed of what's going on. Although it's not absolutely necessary, it makes you wonder what the lawyer is doing and who they are doing it for. E-mail and phone communication is fine. I have represented clients who I never met - they were across the country but in those cases I spell out what they expect me to do and how much it will cost and have the client sign off before I start on anything. Good luck.

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Jack Mevorach

Jack Mevorach · Jun 15, 2026

I wouldn't. A retainer agreement, signed by the attorney and the client, is in everyone's best interests. Third parties are permitted to pay the fees but they are not permitted to interfere with the representation. What prompts the question?

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Matthew Berkus

Matthew Berkus · Jun 15, 2026

A written agreement is not "required," but if you let someone pay the attorney, you met with the attorney (and presumably discussed the situation and what can or should be done), gave information to the attorney to facilitate the attorneys work, and have been corresponding with the attorney about your issue, that sounds like you have hired an attorney to represent you. Hard to really say for sure, without getting more info, but it seems like the attorney's involvement has gone beyond an initial consult. That attorney is apparently spending time on your behalf (and at your request, if you send an email, that is requesting the attorney expend time to address that email) etc. If that is not what you want, YOU need to nip in the bud and tell the attorney to stop.

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