| DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A CLIENT "BILL OF | | | | you find unsatisfactory. In the event of a |
| RIGHTS"? | | | | fee dispute, you may have the right to seek |
| | | | arbitration: your attorney will provide you |
| Every New York attorney is required to hang | | | | with the necessary information regarding |
| this list of rights in his or her office ' | | | | arbitration in the event of a fee dispute, or |
| where clients can read it: | | | | upon your request. |
| | | | |
| STATEMENT OF CLIENT'S RIGHTS | | | | 5. You are entitled to have your questions |
| | | | and concerns addressed in a prompt manner and |
| 1. You are entitled to be treated with | | | | to have your telephone calls returned |
| courtesy and consideration at all times by | | | | promptly. |
| your lawyer and the other lawyers and | | | | |
| personnel in your lawyers office. | | | | 6. You are entitled to be kept informed as to |
| | | | the status of your matter and to request and |
| 2. You are entitled to an attorney capable of | | | | receive copies of papers. You are entitled to |
| handling your legal matter competently and | | | | sufficient information to allow you to |
| diligently, in accordance with the highest | | | | participate meaning fully in the development |
| standards of the profession. If you are not | | | | of your matter. |
| satisfied with how your matter is being | | | | |
| handled, you have the right to withdraw from | | | | 7. You are entitled to have your legitimate |
| the attorney-client relationship at any time | | | | objectives respected by your attorney, |
| (court approval may be required in some | | | | including whether or not to settle your |
| matters and your attorney may have a claim | | | | matter (court approval of a settlement is |
| against you for the value of services | | | | required in some matters). |
| rendered to you up to the point of | | | | |
| discharge). | | | | 8. You have the right to privacy in your |
| | | | dealings with your lawyer and to have your |
| 3. You are entitled to your lawyer's | | | | secrets and confidences preserved to the |
| independent professional judgment and | | | | extent permitted by law. |
| undivided loyalty uncompromised by conflicts | | | | |
| of interest. | | | | 9. You are entitled to have your attorney |
| | | | conduct himself or herself ethically in |
| 4. You are entitled to be charged a | | | | accordance with the Code of Professional |
| reasonable fee and to have your lawyer | | | | Responsibility. |
| explain at the outset how the fee will be | | | | |
| computed and the manner and frequency of | | | | 10. You may not be refused representation on |
| billing. You are entitled to request and | | | | the basis of race, creed, color, religion, |
| receive a written itemized bill from your | | | | sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin |
| attorney at reasonable intervals. You may | | | | or disability. |
| refuse to enter into any fee arrangement that | | | | |