The signs
- You have never actually spoken to the attorney whose name is on the sign.
- Nobody has called you in 60 days.
- You do not know what stage your case is in, and when you ask, you get a non-answer.
- You were told to sign something you did not understand.
- Your calls go to a “case manager” who is not a lawyer and cannot answer legal questions.
None of these means your lawyer is bad. High-volume firms run on this model, and for a simple case it can work fine. But if your case needs attention and it is not getting any, that is a real problem and time is not on your side.
Why it usually costs you nothing extra
When you switch, your first lawyer does not lose the value of the work they did. They place an attorney’s lien on the file. At the end of the case, the one contingency fee gets divided between the old firm and the new one, based on how much work each did.
The fee comes out of the same recovery. It does not double. You do not write anyone a check to switch.
That is the whole mechanic. It is not a loophole, it is just how New Jersey handles it, and it exists specifically so that a client is never trapped with a lawyer who is not doing the work.
What actually happens
You call. Tell me what has been going on.
Free, and confidential.
If your current lawyer is doing fine, I will tell you that.
Some cases are slow. That is not malpractice.
If it should be moving and it is not, we handle the transfer.
You send one letter. We deal with the file, the lien, and the old firm.
Your case picks up where it left off.
With somebody actually working it.
Common questions
Will switching hurt my case?
Usually not, and letting a case sit untouched is its own harm. The main risk is a deadline that is already close, which is exactly why you should call now rather than think about it for another month.
Do I have to tell my current lawyer first?
No. Call us first, at no cost, and find out where you actually stand. Nothing is set in motion until you decide.
Is there any cost to me?
No cost to switch, and no fee for the second opinion.