Ask Joe: What Do I Do About Attorney's Inappropriate Conduct?
Editor’s note: the following I received anonymously. It’s too long for a “Rant.” But I didn’t want to just reject the letter. It sounds like this person is in real need of some advice. So I thought, why not just give it to her. Here’s her letter with my response following.
Dear Joe: I am a victim of abuse by my attorney. I need to know who to complain to. Please run my rant because it may help others. He calls and send me text message from early in the morning until late in the evening. My mom has seen them. He always tells me to come alone.
He is harassing me, and I want to make a complaint, and I don’t know where to complain to because other attorneys may tell him, and like everything else, disappear.
He has a girlfriend. She is letting him do this to his clients. I hired him to do a job. I am not attracted to him. He is dorky, and I am a very pretty girl. Do all attorneys do this?
I am highly upset at the entire judicial system. Please run an article on where all people can make a complaint. Just because I am a pretty girl that isn’t right. I kept all text messages and a log of all his calls. He did promise to do a job, but I did not ask for this.
I am scared to fire him because I am doing this for my kids. Run ASAP because he needs to leave female clients alone. I am sorry this is messy, but I am upset.
Name and address withheld.
Dear Name and Address Withheld: First to answer your question, no, all attorneys do not behave in this manner. The attorney I’ve retained certainly doesn’t operate in this manner and has been entirely professional in his representation of me. Other attorneys I know also wouldn’t behave in such a manner for one important reason, there are serious potential consequences for behaving in such a way, including disbarment.
Attorneys have to follow the law too, and your attorney is not allowed to harass you or anybody else. If his harassment is sexually-based, then you have every right to fire him. In fact you can fire him for whatever reason you determine. It’s your money.
The place to lodge a complaint is the state bar association. They’re the regulatory agency of attorneys in this state. They’re the licensing agency. Get in contact with them (919) 677-0561. It helps that you’ve saved the text messages.
In addition, if you fear for your safety, approach the court for a protective order. I’d recommend getting in touch with domestic violence advocates who can walk you through the process. Clan Star is one such agency that can put you in touch with a number of programs and advocates. You can call them at (828) 497-5507.
The first step you should take is to talk to somebody. I hope you get the resolution you’re seeking.
Joe