#06
During RepresentationHigh Risk
The lawyer stops responding for long periods and doesn't report on case progress
Neglect of Duty
Why It's Dangerous
A lawyer disappearing after collecting fees is a serious dereliction of duty. A lawyer should proactively update the client on case progress on a regular basis, at minimum around key milestones (filing, hearings, judgment). Long silences may mean the lawyer isn't working on your case at all.
Real Case
After paying RMB 200,000 in legal fees, the client discovered the lawyer had gone silent for extended periods — not responding to messages or answering calls, and being negligent and unprofessional. After switching lawyers, the client was told the original lawyer had never even liaised with the court — the client's attorney-of-record field was completely blank.
* This case has been anonymized. Details have been adjusted to protect privacy.
What To Do
1
Send a written email requiring the lawyer to report progress by a specified date2
Keep records of all attempts to contact the lawyer (chat messages, calls, emails)3
If there's no response for more than two weeks, consider filing a complaint with the bar association4
Specify the frequency and method of progress reporting in the engagement contract5
Make sure to include refund terms in the contract