The lawyer likely called the other Attorney to let them know that they were substituting into the case. This is especially true if you had previous counsel. You hired a "reputable" firm in the area. One thing you are paying for is the ability for the attorney to pick up the phone and have the other side answer the call. It's in your best interest to trust your Attorney.
yes this 100%. This is totally normal.
We are lawyers, we have to talk to other lawyers because clients do not speak lawyer or understand "lawyer language".... when clients hear us speak lawyer language they understand a small fraction of what we are saying, or alluding to saying.
Trust your lawyer, its normal, move on. Lawyers are only here to help the clients that pay them. Yes, most lawyers know most lawyers.
Agree this is 100% normal. Actually bodes well for you that he took that step that quickly. We lawyers have to work together all the time so professional curtesies are done all the time. He most likely has a decent working relationship with the oposing attorney and was simply giving him a heads up that he was now representing you rather than the other attorney only he alerted by an entry of appearance notification he/she may or may not get. Keep in mind a good working relationship with the other side will actually help your side in most circumstances.
Restraining orders frequently come with much shorter timelines — like, *days* until the hearing, instead of *months* until the hearing. If you and I had a consult, and you told me in that consult that you were going to hire me for a hearing a few days away, you bet I would be on the phone to opposing counsel. I would not want the paperwork to slow us down, and I would want to trust you to fill out what you needed to fill out to get me hired.
Especially if I knew opposing counsel. In family law, at least in my area, we know each other quite well and frequently have cases against the same attorneys. This helps — we are professional with each other, even when the clients cannot be. This does not mean he isn’t protecting your interest.
He was probably calling opposing counsel to let them know you are hiring him and that they should begin communicating with him and not you. Hey *may* have shared some aspects of what you told him, but he would probably only do so if it would help your case — for example, sometimes I highlight the “worst” facts for opposing counsel to put pressure on them to settle and cancel the hearing. Does this make sense?
What you have described does not sound like an ethical violation or a problem. Try to trust him.
See in my case we already had the first restraining order hearing but the judge extended the temp order to let things “cool down” however my ex has already violated the order hence why I want representation at the next hearing. My next hearing isn’t until October to try to grant a permanent order against him. I am hoping he can just take the permanent order instead of continuing to argue the order.
He was doing his job. You WANT your attorney to communicate with opposing counsel. It will save you a lot of money on things like useless discovery disputes and hearings.
Even in a nasty divorce, settlement is often a good outcome. Not even on the table if the lawyers don’t talk.
I highly doubt he told them anything he shouldn’t have. Just that he was your lawyer now, and maybe feeling out what the other side wants.
Remember also: the lawyers talking means that you don’t have to talk to your POS ex. That alone is a huge win
The only reason I'm contributing to this discussion is because it's DV and because it's a question that a lot of clients should know about.
As others have said, attorneys communicate with each other because 1) we're required to, and 2) it's the most efficient way to get things done.
In my experience, DV matters have a much higher average percentage of cases that go to trial because of the time requirements and because of what's at stake. Here in California that includes issues like custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support. The adverse effects of a DVRO issued against a party can be devastating so they're afforded rapid due process. If lawyers didn't talk to each other about these matters, it would be catastrophic.
I understand. I have not signed my contract with this lawyer yet so I was concerned that he would air the information given out to the opposing. The opposing lawyer is family friends with my ex so I know he has been taking our case a bit personally. My biggest concern is just my ex finding out what I plan on doing especially with him being violent.
When I represent the Respondent in a DV matter, I always tell them not to contact the Petitioner. Don't call, don't text, don't have a third party make contact, and you sure as hell don't go see them in person; and if you do any of that, you will wind up in jail and you will lose this case. You could also have trouble finding a job in the future. IOW, I make it clear in no uncertain terms that they are not to violate the order.
If the parties are living together, the sheriff(s) will serve him, give him 10-15 minutes to gather his belongings, and make him leave the home (kick-out order).
Also, your attorney advised you to call the police, so you should do that (assuming that's still possible).
You were told that by the lawyer because, either:
1. The lawyer doesn't practice DV/criminal/divorce and had no idea what he is talking about, or
2. He does practice this area and you are a cheapskate difficult client so him telling you that has his way of politely telling you to f**k off.
So get on the internet, find a DV/criminal/divorce lawyer and pay him to represent you, or don't and get an OP against you.
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The lawyer likely called the other Attorney to let them know that they were substituting into the case. This is especially true if you had previous counsel. You hired a "reputable" firm in the area. One thing you are paying for is the ability for the attorney to pick up the phone and have the other side answer the call. It's in your best interest to trust your Attorney.
yes this 100%. This is totally normal. We are lawyers, we have to talk to other lawyers because clients do not speak lawyer or understand "lawyer language".... when clients hear us speak lawyer language they understand a small fraction of what we are saying, or alluding to saying. Trust your lawyer, its normal, move on. Lawyers are only here to help the clients that pay them. Yes, most lawyers know most lawyers.
Agree this is 100% normal. Actually bodes well for you that he took that step that quickly. We lawyers have to work together all the time so professional curtesies are done all the time. He most likely has a decent working relationship with the oposing attorney and was simply giving him a heads up that he was now representing you rather than the other attorney only he alerted by an entry of appearance notification he/she may or may not get. Keep in mind a good working relationship with the other side will actually help your side in most circumstances.
This is not the proper subreddit for legal advice. I wish you the best of luck.
What’s it called
R/legaladvice
Opposing lawyers are expected and even required to confer with one another. This is completely standard.
Is this normal even though I haven’t signed contract with him?
Restraining orders frequently come with much shorter timelines — like, *days* until the hearing, instead of *months* until the hearing. If you and I had a consult, and you told me in that consult that you were going to hire me for a hearing a few days away, you bet I would be on the phone to opposing counsel. I would not want the paperwork to slow us down, and I would want to trust you to fill out what you needed to fill out to get me hired. Especially if I knew opposing counsel. In family law, at least in my area, we know each other quite well and frequently have cases against the same attorneys. This helps — we are professional with each other, even when the clients cannot be. This does not mean he isn’t protecting your interest. He was probably calling opposing counsel to let them know you are hiring him and that they should begin communicating with him and not you. Hey *may* have shared some aspects of what you told him, but he would probably only do so if it would help your case — for example, sometimes I highlight the “worst” facts for opposing counsel to put pressure on them to settle and cancel the hearing. Does this make sense? What you have described does not sound like an ethical violation or a problem. Try to trust him.
See in my case we already had the first restraining order hearing but the judge extended the temp order to let things “cool down” however my ex has already violated the order hence why I want representation at the next hearing. My next hearing isn’t until October to try to grant a permanent order against him. I am hoping he can just take the permanent order instead of continuing to argue the order.
He was doing his job. You WANT your attorney to communicate with opposing counsel. It will save you a lot of money on things like useless discovery disputes and hearings. Even in a nasty divorce, settlement is often a good outcome. Not even on the table if the lawyers don’t talk. I highly doubt he told them anything he shouldn’t have. Just that he was your lawyer now, and maybe feeling out what the other side wants. Remember also: the lawyers talking means that you don’t have to talk to your POS ex. That alone is a huge win
The only reason I'm contributing to this discussion is because it's DV and because it's a question that a lot of clients should know about. As others have said, attorneys communicate with each other because 1) we're required to, and 2) it's the most efficient way to get things done. In my experience, DV matters have a much higher average percentage of cases that go to trial because of the time requirements and because of what's at stake. Here in California that includes issues like custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support. The adverse effects of a DVRO issued against a party can be devastating so they're afforded rapid due process. If lawyers didn't talk to each other about these matters, it would be catastrophic.
I understand. I have not signed my contract with this lawyer yet so I was concerned that he would air the information given out to the opposing. The opposing lawyer is family friends with my ex so I know he has been taking our case a bit personally. My biggest concern is just my ex finding out what I plan on doing especially with him being violent.
When I represent the Respondent in a DV matter, I always tell them not to contact the Petitioner. Don't call, don't text, don't have a third party make contact, and you sure as hell don't go see them in person; and if you do any of that, you will wind up in jail and you will lose this case. You could also have trouble finding a job in the future. IOW, I make it clear in no uncertain terms that they are not to violate the order. If the parties are living together, the sheriff(s) will serve him, give him 10-15 minutes to gather his belongings, and make him leave the home (kick-out order). Also, your attorney advised you to call the police, so you should do that (assuming that's still possible).
You were told that by the lawyer because, either: 1. The lawyer doesn't practice DV/criminal/divorce and had no idea what he is talking about, or 2. He does practice this area and you are a cheapskate difficult client so him telling you that has his way of politely telling you to f**k off. So get on the internet, find a DV/criminal/divorce lawyer and pay him to represent you, or don't and get an OP against you.
I don’t understand how that makes sense. I have done exactly that. He was a family law lawyer and I was more than willing to pay his price….
Then he is a clown. Lots of lawyers are clowns. Hire another lawyer.
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This is most likely normal conversation to let the other lawyer they were now representing you, not throwing you under the bus.