Who can participate in Lawyer Client interactions?

[ogerbac]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

I would like to participate in a family member's meeting with his lawyer.

I have permission from my family member, are there any real rules that prohibit me from participating?


My family member asked the legal assistant about this and got a negative response along the lines of "we only interact with the client and it's the clients responsibility to relay this information."

I do not think my family member will be able to come up with the important questions on his own. So I would like to assist in understanding the situation.

If I can participate what is the correct way to go about it?

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by ogerbac

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

I would like to participate in a family member's meeting with his lawyer.

I have permission from my family member, are there any real rules that prohibit me from participating?


My family member asked the legal assistant about this and got a negative response along the lines of "we only interact with the client and it's the clients responsibility to relay this information."

I do not think my family member will be able to come up with the important questions on his own. So I would like to assist in understanding the situation.

If I can participate what is the correct way to go about it?

So you're saying you think your "family member" is an incompetent person who cannot speak for him/herself?

Do you attend all of this person's appointments?
Does this person have a job?

[dan1978]

So you're saying you think your "family member" is an incompetent person who cannot speak for him/herself?

Do you attend all of this person's appointments?
Does this person have a job?

silverplum- paraphrasing a speculation back at a poster= no help at all. Either answer with some advice or go back to divorce court.

ogerbac- the attorney will want to know the name of anyone "sitting in" on the meeting so to insure there is no conflict of interest in the rest of his caseload. It is not at all uncommon for family or friends to attend these meetings to, as you say, ask the important questions. If your questions arent being answered or are vague in nature, go seek other counsel. Research "client bill of rights", or "professional code of conduct". Good luck, and dont let the attorney off the hook with softball questions. Your friends life, freedom and liberties are at stake and there are no dumb questions.

[ogerbac]

Originally Posted by Silverplum

So you're saying you think your "family member" is an incompetent person who cannot speak for him/herself?

Do you attend all of this person's appointments?
Does this person have a job?

The person is an adult and can speak for himself, but might not think about the situation the same way I would, therefore not generate the same questions.

This person does not have an official employer.

There have not been any serious appointments that I felt I should attend in the past.

Do your questions help answer my original question? It seems that the answer to my question should be independent of the client's status since the client is an adult and has given permission for me to participate.

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by dan1978

silverplum- paraphrasing a speculation back at a poster= no help at all. Either answer with some advice or go back to divorce court.

Bite me, clueless-yet-bossy little newbie.

Originally Posted by dan1978

ogerbac- the attorney will want to know the name of anyone "sitting in" on the meeting so to insure there is no conflict of interest in the rest of his caseload. It is not at all uncommon for family or friends to attend these meetings to, as you say, ask the important questions. If your questions arent being answered or are vague in nature, go seek other counsel. Research "client bill of rights", or "professional code of conduct". Good luck, and dont let the attorney off the hook with softball questions. Your friends life, freedom and liberties are at stake and there are no dumb questions.

The attorney will allow into the meeting whomever s/he chooses, for his/her reasons. I can think of a dozen reasons to meet with the client alone, right off the top of my head.

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by ogerbac

The person is an adult and can speak for himself, but might not think about the situation the same way I would, therefore not generate the same questions.

This person does not have an official employer.

There have not been any serious appointments that I felt I should attend in the past.

Do your questions help answer my original question? It seems that the answer to my question should be independent of the client's status since the client is an adult and has given permission for me to participate.

Yes, my questions -- and my experience -- DO help me to give you a valid answer to your questions.

But since you and your little "friend" are both so rude this morning, I guess I'll let you two work it out on your own.

In the end, my considered opinion matters not, nor does the breezy little "opinion" from your new little "friend." What will matter is whether or not the attorney will indeed allow a non-party to attend meetings.

[HomeGuru]

[quote=Silverplum;2232951]Bite me, clueless-yet-bossy little newbie.




**A: too funny.

[ogerbac]

Originally Posted by Silverplum

Yes, my questions -- and my experience -- DO help me to give you a valid answer to your questions.

But since you and your little "friend" are both so rude this morning, I guess I'll let you two work it out on your own.

In the end, my considered opinion matters not, nor does the breezy little "opinion" from your new little "friend." What will matter is whether or not the attorney will indeed allow a non-party to attend meetings.

Wow, thanks for the warm welcome to the forum. I think it is ridiculous for you to claim that I am rude when I simply replied to all of your questions with answers might I add (helpful huh?).

You claim your questions help you give a valid answer and I have no reason to believe otherwise. If I hurt your feelings I am sorry.


If anyone else can give me input now that there is more documentation of the situation, I would greatly appreciate it.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by ogerbac

Wow, thanks for the warm welcome to the forum. I think it is ridiculous for you to claim that I am rude when I simply replied to all of your questions with answers might I add (helpful huh?).

You claim your questions help you give a valid answer and I have no reason to believe otherwise. If I hurt your feelings I am sorry.


If anyone else can give me input now that there is more documentation of the situation, I would greatly appreciate it.

**A: I could give you input but based on the events that transpired, I'm staying out of it.

[dan1978]

I can think of a dozen reasons to meet with the client alone, right off the top of my head.

ogerbac- if the attorney comes up with even ONE reason not to let a concerned family member sit in on meetings, your money will be better spent elsewhere. Traversing the legal halls of a criminal charge is a complex and complicated matter that requires the experience and expertise of a good defense lawyer. However, being fed bull and kept in the dark is the #1 crime against defendants.

signed the newbie-(who joined 2 years ago)

[dan1978]

**A: I could give you input but based on the events that transpired, I'm staying out of it.

oh the power you must feel

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by dan1978

oh the power you must feel

**A: keep it up and you'll see the real power.

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by ogerbac

Wow, thanks for the warm welcome to the forum. I think it is ridiculous for you to claim that I am rude when I simply replied to all of your questions with answers might I add (helpful huh?).

I'm not here to "welcome" you to any forum. I was here to help. Now I'm just feeling pissy at all of you.

Originally Posted by ogerbac

You claim your questions help you give a valid answer and I have no reason to believe otherwise. If I hurt your feelings I am sorry.

You questioned my motives.
Why am I here, volunteering my time to help strangers? Huh. I don't know why I should bother.

Originally Posted by ogerbac

If anyone else can give me input now that there is more documentation of the situation, I would greatly appreciate it.

Your first question, as written, was far too vague.

I say, do whatever you feel like doing. Ride the bus, but atop the bus. Go to the meeting though you have no business there and the attorney's office has made it clear you are unwelcome. Take advice from internet strangers.

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by HomeGuru

**A: keep it up and you'll see the real power.

Shall we do lunch?

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Silverplum

Take advice from internet strangers.

**A: this thread is getting stranger and stranger.