Twelve Rules for Working with Your Volunteer Lawyer

Please read these rules carefully. If you don’t understand, ask us to explain.

1. Your VLP lawyer usually charges over $100.00 for each hour of work. However, he is volunteering services to help you. The VLP does not pay your lawyer, nor does the court. This means your attorney is giving up the opportunity to earn money for each minute he is working on your case. Keep this in mind whenever you call or meet with your lawyer.
   
   
2. Your lawyer has volunteered to advise you on this one legal matter only. If you run into another legal problem, contact the VLP for help.
   
   
3. When you have a date to meet with your lawyer, you must show up and get there on time. If you have to miss a meeting because of an emergency, call your lawyer as soon as you can. Explain why you weren’t there and ask to set a new date.
   
   
4. Be prepared for meetings with your lawyer. Bring all the papers that relate to your case. Bring a list of things you want to talk about. This will help make your meetings go more quickly and smoothly.
   
   
5. Many lawyers prefer that you do not bring your children with you when you meet with them or go to court. If you can, find someone to watch your children for you during these times.
   
   
6. When you need to talk with your lawyer, call or e-mail her office. If she is not available to talk with you when you call, leave a message saying why you need to talk. Do not expect your lawyer to call you back or return your message right away. She has many clients, appointments and court deadlines to handle, and will return your call or message when she can. If you do not hear from your lawyer in a few days, think about writing her a letter giving the information you have, or explaining why you need to talk.
   
   
7. Your lawyer is trained in the law. He is not trained to help you with other problems. Do not ask your lawyer to act as your social worker, caseworker, minister, or personal friend. Your lawyer must focus on your legal matter. You must find other people to help you with your non-legal problems.
   
   
8. Your lawyer must work within the law. Because of this, she may be unable to always get you what you want. Listen when your lawyer tells you about the limits of what she can do for you. If you don’t agree with the law or the judge, don’t blame your lawyer.
   
   
9. Work at getting along with your lawyer. You may not have another chance to get a free lawyer if you don’t get along with this one.
   
   
10. Your lawyer should not charge you an “attorney’s fee,” except in disability, unemployment, and other cases where you might get money from the other side. But you will have to pay for “case costs.” These are costs like filing fees, service fees, postage, telephone toll fees, and photocopies. If your lawyer asks you to pay for things that you do not understand, ask him to explain. If you are still confused, call the VLP.
    
    
11. Tell the VLP right away if your household income or the number of people in your household changes.
    
    
12. Tell both your lawyer and the VLP if you move or change your phone number or e-mail address. We need to know how to reach you at all times.