Courtesy and respect for attorneys
Reciprocal trust, courtesy and respect are the hallmarks of the attorney / client relationship. Within that relationship, the client looks to the attorney for expertise, education, sound judgment, protection, advocacy and representation. These expectations can be achieved only if the client fulfills the following responsibilities:

1 – Treat your lawyer with courtesy
The client is expected to treat the lawyer and the lawyer’s staff with courtesy and consideration.

2 – Engage in an honest relationship with your lawyer
Your relationship with your lawyer must be one of complete candor and your lawyer must be apprised of all facts or circumstances of the matter being handled by the lawyer even if the client believes that those facts may be detrimental to the client’s cause or unflattering to the client.

3 – Honor your attorney’s fee arrangement
The client must honor the fee arrangement as agreed to with the lawyer, in accordance with law.

4 – Pay your lawyer promptly
All bills for services rendered which are tendered to the client pursuant to the agreed upon fee arrangement should be paid promptly.

5 – Withdrawing from an attorney relationship
The client may withdraw from the attorney / client relationship, subject to financial commitments under the agreed to fee arrangement, and, in certain circumstances, subject to court approval.

6 – Respect your attorney’s time
Although the client should expect that his or her correspondence, telephone calls and other communications will be answered within a reasonable time frame, the client should recognize that the lawyer has other clients equally demanding of the lawyer’s time and attention.

7 – Keep your lawyer informed and up to date
The client should maintain contact with the lawyer, promptly notify the lawyer of any change in telephone number or address and respond promptly to a request by the lawyer for information and cooperation.

8 – Respect your attorney’s ethical standards
The client must realize that the lawyer need respect only legitimate objectives of the client and that the lawyer will not advocate or propose positions which are unprofessional or contrary to law or the Lawyer’s Code of Professional Responsibility.

9 – Be aware of your lawyer’s professional commitments
The lawyer may be unable to accept a case if the lawyer has previous professional commitments which will result in inadequate time being available for the proper representation of a new client.

10 – Your attorney’s obligation
A lawyer is under no obligation to accept a client if the lawyer determines that the cause of the client is without merit, a conflict of interest would exist or that a suitable working relationship with the client is not likely.