Legal Question in Personal Injury in California

Re: Access to legal help

I have no idea what you are asking. It would be helpful if you would be more specific.

Re: Access to legal help

You haven't said much about the nature of your case, so I can't speculate why attorneys might not want to meet with you. But if you are refusing to share information with them, that is reason enough for most to conclude that you will be a difficult client and to decide they'd rather not deal with you.

Lawyers and their staffs take the attorney-client privilege very seriously. While you think it is naive to believe we don't gossip about such matters, the truth is that we don't. For most of us this is a matter of personal honor but there are incentives for the less honorable there are strong incentives to comply; failure to protect client confidences is ground for professional discipline up to and including disbarment, and attorneys who earn a reputation for revealing secrets will not receive referrals of business.

I have lots of confidential information that other people would love to learn, but I will never reveal it to anyone unless the law requires it. My attitude on this point is nothing remarkable; it is part of this profession. You should not hesitate to tell your prospective attorneys what they need to know in order to evaluate your case.

Re: Access to legal help

To elaborate on what Mr. Hoffman wrote, even the receptionists and legal staff are bound by the duty of attorney-client privilege, so that they may not discuss matters with their friends and family. There are attorneys who will meet you at a mutually-convenient place, perhaps even your home. For instance, many personal injury attorneys will employ assistants to sign up clients at their homes, and obtain all of the necessary information and take photographs of the vehicle and person (if injured). These people are part of the law office and are also duty-bound to not disclose information except to the law firm for which they work. Good luck to you!