professional ethics

[Baben]

Looking for information regarding an attorney's ethical obligation to persons sending unsolicited case materials knowing SOL is imminent. Sender gets no prompt reply, takes no other action or seeks another lawyer, SOL passes. Atty had left firm in this case. Calif Code of Professional Conduct defines ethics with clients; here, no communication = no relationship?. Sender threatens action. Is atty bound to act where no agreement to represent exists, by the mere sending of a letter? Where can I find info re atty's responsibility, if any, & how to handle? References, cites, please. Thanks.

 

[lawrat]

I am a law school graduate. What I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.


http://www.calbar.org

 

[Baben]

Thank you LR. Done. Ethics hotline helpful; no clear guidelines re non-retained persons, "potentials". More formal opinions may be requested, we'll see. That's why I was curious if anyone else had come across this situation from experience, what did they learn, etc. My thoughts are if a claimant can prove that damages would have been recoverable but for an alleged "negligence" claimant still has to prove that an atty-clt relationship existed at all, the old burden of proof stuff. I will post again the results in case anyone else is interested, Open to other thoughts, viewpoints?? Thanks again.

This is a great site, I will visit again.