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Presentations:Last update: 05/01/13 Established 1993 Our 20th Anniversary
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The Client's Bill of Rights™
We published the Client's Bill of Rights in 1996. Fifteen years later, the second edition is now available in ebook form through Amazon's Kindle. To buy a copy ($2.99), visit the Kindle Store.
The Client's Bill of Rights introduces clients to
the unique relationship they have with lawyers. Most clients don't realize that
they are supposed to have control of the lawyer's representation and that the
lawyer reports to them. Respect, competence, and a reasonable fee are some of
the client's rights. The Client Bill of Rights lists ten rights and explains
what clients should reasonably expect.
This Bill of Rights is designed for all clients --
whether you've been charged with a traffic infraction or you're the general
counsel of a major corporation. The principles contained in the Bill of Rights
apply to lawyers hired to handle any type of legal matter, including divorces,
custody proceedings, tax issues, criminal cases, civil litigation, buying and
selling real estate, landlord/tenant disputes, wills and probate, estate
planning, and so on. But this is also a Bill of Rights for lawyers to consider,
whether they agree or not.
A dysfunctional lawyer-client relationship leads not only to high legal fees,
but also frustration and unexpected results. The prospective client should find
a lawyer who will guide the client through the process as smoothly as possible.
This doesn't mean the legal process will be painless, and the client may not
"win," but it does mean the lawyer should help the client know what to expect
and to prepare the client for the result, good or bad.
The Client Bill of Rights introduces a new series of guides for clients: The
Civilian's Guide to Lawyers™, a three volume Kindle
publication, to help everyone dealing with lawyers and the legal system.
More information is available at
www.CiviliansGuidetoLawyers.com.
The Client's Bill of Rights
1. Clients Are Entitled To Respect2. Clients Are Entitled To Control
3. Clients Are Entitled To Competence
4. Clients Are Entitled To Attention
5. Clients Are Entitled To Loyalty
6. Clients Are Entitled To The Truth
7. Clients Are Entitled To Efficiency
8. Clients Are Entitled To Budgets
9. Clients Are Entitled To A Fair Written Agreement
10. Clients Are Entitled To Reasonable Bills