My Lawyer Was Arrested. Can I Change Injury Attorneys?

Can I Change Lawyers if My Attorney Was Arrested in Louisiana?

Finding out your lawyer was arrested can shake your confidence. When you’re dealing with a serious injury case, the last thing you need is more stress. You may be wondering if you can change attorneys. The answer is simple: yes, you can.

Can I Change My Attorney at Any Time?

It is always your right to change lawyers. You’re not stuck with the attorney you hired at the start of your case. If you feel uncomfortable, uncertain, or no longer trust your lawyer, it’s okay to look for new representation.

Why Does an Arrest Matter?

If your lawyer was arrested, it could affect their ability to keep working on your case. Here’s why that matters:

• License Risk: A conviction could lead to a suspension or loss of their law license, which would end their ability to represent you.
• Focus & Ethics: Facing criminal charges can pull their attention away from your case and raise serious ethical concerns.

An arrest is a serious issue. If you no longer feel secure in your attorney’s ability to represent you, Louisiana law supports your right to switch attorneys without penalty.

When Should You Think About Switching Attorneys?

You should consider switching attorneys if your case is stalled with no progress, your lawyer is unresponsive, undervalues your claim, or is facing legal trouble like arrest or disbarment. While not every delay means poor representation, clear signs of neglect or misconduct warrant finding new counsel.

At LJBLegal, we talk to a lot of people who are thinking about switching lawyers. In many cases, we actually advise them to stay where they are. Why? Because sometimes, the attorney is doing a good job, but the client just hasn’t been kept in the loop, expected results too quickly, or misunderstood how much their case is realistically worth. Injury cases can take time, and not every bump in the road means you need a new lawyer.

That said, there are very real and valid reasons to change lawyers.

We’ve seen cases where switching attorneys made a big difference. One client came to us after their case sat untouched for over a year with no demand sent. Another had been told their injuries were worth less than $10,000, but after we took over and fully developed the claim, they received a settlement several times higher. In another case, a client’s original attorney sadly passed away while her case was still active. With no clear next steps and her calls going unanswered, she came to us for help. We stepped in, moved the case forward, and helped her get the closure she needed.

If your attorney was arrested, sanctioned, or disbarred, that’s a serious concern. You have every reason to want someone who is fully focused on your case and free of legal trouble of their own.

Will I Have to Pay Twice if I Change Attorneys?

This is a common worry, but the answer is no. You will not have to pay double. If you hire a new attorney, the fee you agreed to is usually shared between your old lawyer and your new one. The first attorney may be owed a portion for the work they already did, but you won’t be paying two separate fees.

There may be some paperwork and discussions involved to make sure your file is transferred and to determine how much of the final fee each attorney will receive. In some cases, fee mediation may be needed, but you will not be penalized for changing attorneys.

What Should You Know Before You Make a Switch?

While it is your right to change lawyers, there are a few things to think about:

• It can be a red flag to a new attorney if someone has switched lawyers multiple times. It could signal unreasonable expectations or a deeper issue.
• If your case is close to trial, changing attorneys may slow things down or require extra work.
• Your new attorney will need time to review the case and may need to redo some steps to protect you.

Need Honest Advice About Changing Lawyers?

If your lawyer was arrested or if you’re just feeling unsure about how your case is being handled, we’re here to talk. Our team takes the time to understand what’s happening and gives you honest guidance. Sometimes that means helping you move forward with us, and sometimes it means helping you understand why staying put may be best.

Every injury case deserves attention, care, and experience. If you’re not getting that, it’s okay to ask questions. And if your current lawyer can’t give you those things anymore, we can help you figure out what to do next.

Contact LJBLegal today at 985-240-9773 for a free and confidential consultation.

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