Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Pennsylvania

Uncooperative lawyer.

It's been like pulling teeth to get my lawyer to cooperate with me on my civil law suit (defendant).

He is reluctant to answer my questions, very short with me and unfriendly.

He yelled at me during a deposition for saying too much when he would not take anytime before

hand to explain the procedure.

Today he told me to sign the settlement (which he refuses to explain to me). When I delivered the signed document to his office he yelled at me for not having it notarized (which he never told me to do). I asked him where the closest notary was and he said he didn't know and he's a lawyer!

First time lawsuits are difficult enough without having a non-committed lawyer making it worse.

Two things you should know.

1. He took this case for $300 hr since I am unemployed (15 months). His regular rate is $350 hr.

2. He told me he was going to withdraw from my case unless I let him litigate aggressively or sign the settlement, yet he won't sit down and discuss the settlement with me.

Is it always about the $$$$ with lawyers? In this case it sure looks like it.

He was all smiles in the beginning when I was handing him the retainer check.


Asked on 1/22/10, 8:30 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Greg Artim Morrow & Artim, P.C.

You really haven't asked a question here, so I don't know how to respond. Your attorney's job is to advise you, not demand that you do things and then belittle you when you do them wrong. If you want to file a complaint, you can contact the state disciplinary board.

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Answered on 1/27/10, 10:14 am


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