Sunday, August 22, 2010

If a paralegal talks to a client and gives advice to get another attorney?

If a paralegal tells a client the attorney is not doing all they should.


Tells clients to find another attorney and gives references.


types up a paper for the attorney grievance board in behalf of the clients and gives out attorney clients privileged information.


what could happen to the paralegal?





The paralegal no longer works for the attorney and does not want to be a paralegal any more.





it happened several years ago but the attorney does not know this was taking place. I still talk to the attorney should i tell them and give information pertaining to this and is it a crime if so what is the punishment.If a paralegal talks to a client and gives advice to get another attorney?
It is not a crime. What the attorney does not know will not hurt him in this instance. What you did was highly unethical and if discovered would prohibit you from ever holding a similar position or becoming a member of the bar.If a paralegal talks to a client and gives advice to get another attorney?
It isn't a crime. I would question the ethics involved in all of it, but there is no law against it.





I do know that in all this, if the paralegal is acting as an attorney - as in giving legal advice that an attorney would be best qualified to give - they can be sued for malpractice if they give the incorrect or poor advice. That is why most paralegals steer clear of dealing with such questions.





But if they know that something unethical is going on, they should be reporting it to the bar themselves. As for divulging the information, it could be construed as breach of confidentiality.





Stick with what you know. That is the best thing.
Clearly, the attorney (like so many of his/her colleagues) is a scumbag who has annoyed so many people that their own staff is sick of them. The said paralegal cannot be slapped with any legal consequences, but you can but your *** that the attorney will seek to blackball the person amongst their numerous scumbag friends, thereby keeping them from getting another job in the same field. Please shake that paralegal's hand and thank them for being about something worthwhile. You do not need to inform the attorney that he/she is a scumbag; I'm sure they have a mirror at home and can see that for themselves. After 8 years of prelaw and law, you cannot pretend to be completely stupid. Another thing, the attorney is supposed to provide you with advice, not the other way around. You really like this attorney, don't cha?


PS one other thing, the paralegal also works for the client and is obligated morally toward the clients best interests. Did you overlook that small, unimportant detail?
';If a paralegal tells a client the attorney is not doing all they should.';





His boss could fire him.





';Tells clients to find another attorney and gives references.';





His boss could fire him.





';types up a paper for the attorney grievance board in behalf of the clients...';





His boss could fire him.





';... and gives out attorney clients privileged information.';





His boss could fire him, and the client could sue him for violating the privilege.





';is it a crime ';





No, none of the above is a crime.





Richard

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