You may be unhappy with your lawyer. If your case is still going, talk to them about the problem. If that doesn't work, you may need to fire them and hire someone new. If your lawyer was dishonest or incompetent, this can hurt other people too. You can make a formal, written complaint to the Attorney Grievance Board.
How do I File a Complaint Against My Lawyer?
You can file a complaint of professional misconduct against their attorney. Complaints against attorneys cannot be anonymous. You must write and sign the complaint. In the complaint, include any documents, names, and addresses of witnesses that can support your claim.
Where do I File the Complaint Against My Lawyer?
In general, you should file the complaint in the county where the attorney has their office. You can find the grievance committees contact information by county.
What the Attorney Grievance Committees Can and Cannot Do
The purpose of the grievance committee is to protect the public. Complaints help identify attorneys who may need to change the way they practice law. The complaints also keep the legal profession honorable and competent.
Unfortunately, the grievance committee might not be able to solve the problem that you have with your attorney. For example:
- The grievance committee cannot take money from the attorney to return to you.
- They cannot sue an attorney on your behalf.
- They cannot do the legal work that the attorney did not do.
- They cannot change the attorney’s fee, even if they decide it is too high.
- They cannot represent you or give legal advice.
For those purposes, you may need to seek the services of another lawyer.
Making a Claim with the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection
If you have lost money or property because of an attorney’s dishonest conduct you have another option too. You may want to file a claim with the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection of the State of New York.
The Lawyers' Fund helps people who have lost money or property because of a lawyer's dishonest conduct while practicing law. The fund is useful for people who cannot get reimbursement from the lawyer who caused the loss, insurance, or other sources.
For more information about the fund, its procedures, and claim forms you can call 1-800-442-FUND or visit www.nylawfund.org.
Attorney/Client Fee Disputes
For disputes about attorney fees, you can use the New York State Fee Dispute Resolution Program. This program provides an alternative to going to court and uses arbitration or mediation to resolve fee disputes. It is usually a quicker, less expensive, and more informal way to resolve fee disputes between attorneys and clients. For more information, learn more about the Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Resolution Program.
Last Reviewed: December 5, 2024