What are my rights as a client of a lawyer?

As a client of a lawyer in New York, you have certain rights that must be respected. First, you should expect communication from your lawyer. You should expect to be kept informed about your case, and you should be able to contact your lawyer directly or through his or her staff. Your lawyer must also respect your decisions about the case, including objectives, strategies, and goals. You have a right to know about the fees associated with your case. Your lawyer must provide you with a written fee agreement that outlines the fees and related costs you will be responsible for. Your lawyer must also advise you of any changes to the fees that may arise during your case. Your lawyer must treat you with respect and refrain from any discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, and more. You should also expect confidentiality and privacy. Your lawyer must not share any information with anyone else about your case without your express permission. Your lawyer must provide competent representation, which means providing you with a diligent and skillful representation throughout your case. This includes researching relevant laws and facts, filing required documents, and giving you the best advice possible. Finally, your lawyer must protect your interests and act honestly and in good faith. This means that your lawyer must not benefit from his or her representation of you and must not do anything to harm your interests. Your lawyer must also obey state and federal laws.

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What are my rights as a client of a lawyer?

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