Why do people always say that this isn't legal advice before giving. Why do lawyers who receive legal advice have to declare that they are “not yours”? At what point does sharing an opinion about the law become “legal”? What is the difference between providing legal advice and information. More results from www, reddit, com. Paragon Underwriters reminds you that when a friend asks you a legal question, it may seem like you're only giving advice to someone close to you, but you should be careful when a relationship turns into an Personal Injury Attorney in Conway SC attorney-client relationship. From the moment this relationship is formed, Personal Injury Attorney in Conway SC attorneys are subject to the rules of their professional liability. The relationship begins when there is a mutual understanding that the client will trust the lawyer and the lawyer will listen.
The relationship can begin even if there is nothing in writing and even if the money hasn't changed hands. While there must be a mutual understanding that the client has hired the lawyer and the lawyer has accepted the representation, it is the lawyer's responsibility to make clear to the potential client when this has occurred and when it has not. Defining the relationship with those seeking advice from the start can avoid confusion and ethical problems in the future. Providing occasional legal advice to a family member or friend may result in significant legal liability, malpractice, or disciplinary action, as non-clients may have reasonably relied on the information provided.
Instead of putting yourself at risk, make it clear to the non-client that, although you can't offer them legal advice, you can refer them to legal resources aimed at helping those who may not be able to afford representation. In addition, by providing informal and free legal advice like this to friends and family, you could be creating a conflict of interest by first advising a person who has not undergone a conflict of interest verification. Keep this in mind before telling someone that you would handle a situation differently than that person's lawyer would. You should prefer to have an attorney who thoroughly investigates, rather than an attorney who gives you an immediate answer. The information provided here is not intended or should be used as a substitute for individual trust in privately hired legal counsel.
There are many cases where attorneys have provided quick legal advice and faulty advice has harmed the client. I worked at the Boesche Law Clinic as a student at Texas Technical University School of Law, and I can personally attest to the superior quality of their work and representation. Once you give free advice to someone for their legal needs, it is possible that that person will misuse it or misinterpret it and, later on, try to hold you responsible for the advice you have given. Providing legal advice like this can be very tempting for family members and close friends, but it could actually be quite detrimental to you professionally.
If an attorney believes they can provide you with quick legal advice, they likely a
) don't understand the complexity of your situation, or
b) don't understand your own legal ineptitude, or
c) both. If the legal advice is incorrect, the client can sue me for malpractice or file a lawsuit with a bar association against me.