PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Clients' Bill of Rights: 2011

In order to help clients understand what they duties are and how to better obtain the benefits of the services they bargained for in retaining the attorney, I present this Clients' Bill of Rights.

2011-06-11
June 11, 2011 (Press-News.org) Every year, I write hundreds of articles for the press dealing, in general terms, with new immigration laws, regulations and interpretations impacting hundreds of thousands of immigrants both inside and outside the US. Rather than start off this New Year with an article regarding new changes in the law or changing interpretations as to what can be done, legally, for clients in certain circumstances; I decided to publish an article about how things should be done, in practice, for clients seeking the highest quality legal representation. Clients should be aware that when they hire an attorney to represent them in their immigration matters, the attorney owes them several duties under both State Bar ethical rules and contract law. In order to help clients understand what they duties are and how to better obtain the benefits of the services they bargained for in retaining the attorney, I present this Clients' Bill of Rights.

First of all, you, the client, have a right to a competent consultation with the attorney whose representation you seek. This means that when you schedule your initial consultation appointment with the attorney, whether paid or free, you have a right to meet with that attorney and that attorney owes you a duty to listen to the facts of your case, review the procedural background and documents and render a competent opinion. You have a right to understand the strategy to be implemented in the case, such that the attorney owes you a reasoned explanation as to how he intends to go about helping you. You do not have to settle for meeting with a "paralegal" or "assistant" to start work on your case. If this is what the attorney's office presents to you as an appropriate starting point for your case; you have the right to walk out and consult with another attorney.

You also have a right to a written retainer contract, which must clearly describe the services the attorney will provide and how you are to pay for the services. State Bar rules require that the retainer agreement be sufficiently detailed so as to inform the client as to exactly what the contract includes. You have a right to know what you are paying for! In this regard, you have a right to be charged a fair fee for the services to be rendered. State Bar rules strictly prohibit an attorney from entering into an agreement for or charging an "unconscionable" or unreasonably excessive fee. Factors included to determine whether a fee is unconscionable include: The amount of the fee in proportion to the value of the services performed, the relative sophistication of the attorney versus the client and the uniqueness and difficulty of the questions involved and the skill required to perform the legal service properly.

One measure of a fee's reasonableness is also the standard or "going rate" for similar services among similarly competent and experienced attorneys in the same field. If you think you have been charged an unreasonable or unconscionable fee, you have a right to seek a second opinion on the case and also to seek State or local bar fee arbitration. If the attorney has violated his ethical duties to charge only a reasonable fee and not abuse his relative sophistication or, worse, coerces you into signing the agreement through exaggerated claims of the attorney's rate of success or fame, you have a right to walk away from the client and go to a higher authority. You also have a right to the benefit of whatever bargain you have struck with the attorney, which means you have a right to speak to that attorney, meet with that attorney or email that attorney and obtain satisfactory answers regarding any factors impacting your case as well as progress and developments. When you sign the retainer agreement, you should be facing the attorney you hire. Once you have signed the retainer and paid the attorney, you have a right to that attorney's representation. You did not hire a "paralegal" or the firm's office manager. If your calls are unanswered or you are only allowed to speak to the paralegal after you hire the attorney, you have the right to hire a new attorney who will honor the retainer contract and actively represent you; not hide behind a paralegal and ignore your phone calls and emails.

In addition to these rights, you also have the "self-evident" right to be treated with dignity and respect. Too often I hear stories from people who were denied access to their attorneys at other firms, only to be belittled and derided by the paralegals; when they finally get a chance to speak to the paralegal! When you hire an attorney, you are hiring a professional. A true professional will adhere to the rules of ethical conduct and basic human decency in carrying out his duties toward his clients. If you are receiving anything less from your attorney, you have the right to take your case, and hard-earned money, somewhere else.

Article provided by Hanlon Law Group, P.C.
Visit us at www.visaandgreencard.com


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

USDA-led consortium sequences genome of key wheat pathogen

2011-06-11
This release is available in Spanish. A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-led consortium of scientists has fully sequenced the genome of the pathogen that causes the wheat disease known as septoria tritici blotch, which can cause significant yield losses. According to the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Mexico, losses can reach as high as 50 percent if fungicides are not used to protect susceptible wheat lines. Thise disease is found in every wheat-growing area in the world, including the United States. The research, published in PLoS Genetics, ...

New substances added to HHS Report on Carcinogens

2011-06-11
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today added eight substances to its Report on Carcinogens, a science-based document that identifies chemicals and biological agents that may put people at increased risk for cancer. The industrial chemical formaldehyde and a botanical known as aristolochic acids are listed as known human carcinogens. Six other substances – captafol, cobalt-tungsten carbide (in powder or hard metal form), certain inhalable glass wool fibers, o-nitrotoluene, riddelliine, and styrene – are added as substances that are reasonably anticipated ...

Nearby galaxy boasts 2 monster black holes, both active

Nearby galaxy boasts 2 monster black holes, both active
2011-06-11
GREENBELT, Md. -- A study using NASA's Swift satellite and the Chandra X-ray Observatory has found a second supersized black hole at the heart of an unusual nearby galaxy already known to be sporting one. The galaxy, which is known as Markarian 739 or NGC 3758, lies 425 million light-years away toward the constellation Leo. Only about 11,000 light-years separate the two cores, each of which contains a black hole gorging on infalling gas. The study will appear in a forthcoming issue of The Astrophysical Journal Letters. "At the hearts of most large galaxies, including ...

Domestic Violence: Convictions Can Change Everything

2011-06-11
Domestic violence can destroy a family. Not only does the physical abuse result in pain and suffering for the victim, but the long-term mental anguish also can make it difficult for everyone involved in the situation. Even false allegations of domestic violence can create problems that can forever change a person's life. Because of the emotionally-charged nature of these crimes, many people simply plead guilty to try to make the matter disappear, often without realizing the implications of their actions. The number of reported domestic violence cases remains high. According ...

Pennsylvania Superior Court Upholds $3 Million Verdict

2011-06-11
The Pennsylvania Superior Court recently upheld the verdict for the estate of a woman who was 87 years old at the time of her death was awarded $3 million in a wrongful death action in Philadelphia. A Vibrant 87-year-old Jeanette Kessler went in for elective knee surgery. She was described by her lawyer, Ed Chacker, as a vibrant 87-year-old. She spent time with friends, took trips to Atlantic City, played cards and was the designated driver for dinner trips with friends. She took exercise classes weekly and participated in line dancing, he said. Chacker commented ...

Can small loans reduce poverty?

Can small loans reduce poverty?
2011-06-11
Small loans, somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 to $500 dollars, are an increasingly popular weapon in the fight to reduce poverty. Called microcredit, institutions dole out these monetary advances to help extremely poor people engage in successful entrepreneurship and improve their quality of life. While proponents extol its virtues, researchers look for evidence; they want to know if it works. Does it really increase financial development and help individuals make solid monetary decisions as its supporters claim? "Microfinance works," said Dean Karlan, economics ...

NASA sees heavy rainfall in Tropical Storm Sarika

NASA sees heavy rainfall in Tropical Storm Sarika
2011-06-11
Tropical Depression 05W has grown into a tropical storm and given the name Sarika as it heads toward China. Satellite imagery from NASA shows that the center of the storm seems to be separated from the strongest thunderstorms. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite that is co-managed by NASA and the Japanese Space Agency measures rainfall in the tropics, and today's satellite imagery (June 10, 2011) on Tropical Storm Sarika shows that the heaviest rainfall (falling at 2 inches/50 mm per hour) is south of the center of the storm's circulation. That's ...

Who's My Lawyer?

2011-06-11
If you are calling your immigration attorney's office and find yourself asking this question, your case may be in serious trouble. Recently, I have been contacted by scores of individuals seeking consultation on their cases because they cannot ascertain who is supposed to be taking care of their cases at the law firm they retained! Although this sounds absurd, the problem is that the "big" firms they hired have a serious problem with employee turnover: attorneys quitting their jobs and leaving their cases behind. People seeking an attorney are always in a vulnerable ...

Eye say, Adrian is still a powerful hurricane on NASA satellite imagery

Eye say, Adrian is still a powerful hurricane on NASA satellite imagery
2011-06-11
Hurricane Adrian has been good at hiding his eye from satellite imagery over the last two days, but the latest Aqua and GOES-13 satellite imagery provides the best look at the eye, despite some overcast inside. The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite called GOES-11 captured a visible image of Major Hurricane Adrian on June 10 at 1601 UTC (12:01 p.m. EDT).The image, that shows the eye of the storm with some dense overcast in it, was made at the NASA GOES Project out of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. GOES-13 is managed by NOAA. When NASA's ...

Aer Lingus Celebrates 75th Anniversary

2011-06-11
Aer Lingus has unveiled a new retro painted aircraft in the former 1960s 'Irish International' livery, to mark its 75th anniversary celebrations. The newest addition to the fleet, an Airbus A320- EI-DVM, MSN 4634 series, named 'St Coleman', was painted especially for the anniversary celebrations and unveiled at a ceremony at the iconic, Old Central Terminal Building Dublin airport - designed by the late Desmond FitzGerald. Cabin crew modelled vintage uniforms, from each decade beginning 1945 through to the current Aer Lingus uniform by acclaimed designer, Louise Kennedy. Speaking ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

IOP Publishing and IPEM mandate reporting of sex and gender in research 

Dogs trained to detect trauma stress by smelling humans’ breath

Electronic device thermal management made simpler and slightly better!

Study: Dangerous surgical site infections can be reduced with simple prevention protocol

Genetic testing of patients with atrial fibrillation can alert clinicians to potential development of life-threatening conditions

Artificial Intelligence tool successfully predicts fatal heart rhythm

What progress has China made in agriculture green development over the past five years?

ALMA finds new molecular signposts in starburst galaxy

Open waste burning linked to air pollution in Northwestern Greenland

Google Street View reveals how built environment correlates with risk of cardiovascular disease

Connecting the dots to shape growth forces

Parental avoidance of toxic exposures could help prevent autism, ADHD in children, new study shows

Trends in the incidence of renal replacement therapy due to rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in Japan, 2006–2021

Olympics not likely to swallow up skateboarding’s subversive nature into its corporate spectacle, study says

Looking after the NHS workforce must be a top priority, say experts

Prolonged use of certain hormone drugs linked to increased brain tumor risk

Delirium a ‘strong risk factor’ for dementia among older people

People experiencing homelessness more likely to develop dementia at younger ages, study finds

Can metalens be commercialized at a fraction of the cost?

Reclaim ‘wellness’ from the rich and famous, and restore its political radicalism, new book argues

Curtin research unlocks supernova stardust secrets

New documents reveal patient safety concerns over strike day cover

UTA hosts Solar-bration watch party for April 8 eclipse

Researchers discover molecule that promotes production of cancer cells in triple-negative breast cancer

New tool provides researchers with improved understanding of stem cell aging in the brain

Around half of people living with HIV in developed countries are now aged 50 years and over and at higher risk of becoming frail and having multiple comorbidities

You are never too old for an STI – more older adults being diagnosed with STIs such as gonorrhea and syphilis

University of Minnesota researchers introduce enhanced brain signal analysis technique

Aston University research center to focus on using AI to improve lives

Robot, can you say ‘cheese’?

[Press-News.org] Clients' Bill of Rights: 2011
In order to help clients understand what they duties are and how to better obtain the benefits of the services they bargained for in retaining the attorney, I present this Clients' Bill of Rights.