| Some people may assume that hiring a lawyer and | | | | both you and your partner in legal business matters, it |
| working with a lawyer during a legal issue will be | | | | just means that he or she cannot represent both of |
| comparable to the client/attorney relationship portrayed | | | | you if your interests in that business become a conflict, |
| on television. However, the reality is that the | | | | for instance, during the sell of your business. It also |
| proceedings are often very different.While most | | | | means that your lawyer cannot represent both you |
| television proceedings are highly charged and full of | | | | and the defendant in case, but they can, however, |
| courtroom actions, your lawyer will probably doing | | | | represent you and the owner of your competition as |
| more research, paper filing and phone work behind the | | | | long as neither of you has legal business with each |
| scenes than actual courtroom litigation. Because | | | | other.The right of diligent representation means that |
| motions and research that you will not see will make | | | | your lawyer must put a fair amount of time into your |
| up most of your legal case, it is important to | | | | case and use all of his or her available talents and |
| understand exactly what you should expect from your | | | | knowledge to defend your side of the argument. |
| attorney.By hiring a lawyer you will have access to | | | | Diligent representation also means that your lawyer |
| expert legal experience, knowledge of uncommon | | | | has a duty to keep you informed of all aspects of |
| laws, legal advice, support and open communication. | | | | your legal issue in a timely manner. If you find yourself |
| This type of service is especially valuable for individuals | | | | conversing more with a legal aid than your own |
| with no prior knowledge of the law they are trying to | | | | attorney, it may be time to rethink your relationship and |
| fight. Experience can also help clients avoid costly legal | | | | look into hiring a lawyer that has more time to devote |
| mistakes that they might have made on their | | | | to your case.The right of competent representation |
| own.Aside from the regular service provided by an | | | | means that your lawyer must do all that he or she can |
| attorney, you can also expect certain rights to be | | | | to represent you in the best possible manner. If he or |
| upheld during your client/attorney relationship. These | | | | she is unfamiliar with an aspect of your case, then |
| rights include confidentiality, protection of your interests, | | | | they must educate themselves on the issue or |
| diligent representation, and competent | | | | recommend you to another lawyer that can better |
| representation.The right of confidentiality means that | | | | handle your issue. Although your attorney has the right |
| the lawyer cannot talk about or compromise any | | | | to take a reasonable amount of time to educate |
| information that you pass along to them during the | | | | themselves on your case, some cases will be to |
| course of business. This information can include such | | | | complex to learn in a few days or weeks and your |
| mundane things as business ideas or operating | | | | attorney should be professional enough to admit when |
| secrets, but can also include such things as facts | | | | they are in over their head and refer you another |
| concerning your innocence or guilt.The right of | | | | lawyer.By understanding your rights as a client and the |
| protection of your interests involves more than just | | | | expectations of an attorney/client relationship you will |
| confidentiality. It also means that your lawyer cannot | | | | be better able to choose a lawyer that is right for you. |
| represent any other client that has business that may | | | | You will also be better prepared to aid your lawyer in |
| be adverse to your business while representing you. | | | | your case and understand the legal aspects of each |
| This does not mean that a lawyer cannot represent | | | | step along the way. |