Lawyer Ethics

[rosschoo10]

What is the name of your state? Washington
My lawyer received my check from my settlement and was avoiding me for two weeks. To find out he lost it. He finally emailed saying that he will look for it this week end. On Monday. He had told us back in April that this would all be done in ten days. We feel he should be looking and make it a little more of a priority. We thought he was great up until this. Is there anything we can do?

[Ohiogal]

have a little patience. Everybody makes mistakes and he is trying to solve the issue. He admitted what happened. And can you prove that he was PURPOSELY avoiding you and not just busy? The worst that happens is he goes back to the people that cut the original check and ask them to cancel payment on the first one and reiusse it. You will get your money. But why do you think this is an ethical issue?

[Dandy Don]

Because it is somewhat unethically shady behavior. First he lies/misleads his client about how long the process will take and then he "loses" a check--you certainly don't expect that type of behavior from a professional. You would think that since he is getting paid he would be more responsible. Believe me, the check is not lost.

All you can do now is wait a few more days to see what happens, but if the wait continues to be unreasonably long or if he continues to stall, you need to file an ethics complaint with the state bar association.