All Red Flags/#31
#31
During RepresentationHigh Risk

The lawyer is clearly unprofessional in court

Gross Negligence

Why It's Dangerous

Showing up late, submitting incomplete materials, being unfamiliar with the case, fumbling through the hearing — all signs the lawyer isn't taking your case seriously. You paid a significant fee and are entitled to professional service.

Real Case

A lawyer arrived 30 minutes late to the hearing, submitted evidence missing key attachments, and repeatedly gave irrelevant answers to the judge's questions. The judge ordered supplementary filings on the spot, causing the case to be postponed. The client later learned the lawyer was juggling over a dozen cases simultaneously and had no time to prepare.

* This case has been anonymized. Details have been adjusted to protect privacy.

What To Do

1
Before the hearing, confirm the lawyer's preparation and ask to review the materials they plan to submit
2
If the lawyer is clearly unprofessional in court, address it immediately after the hearing
3
Consider switching lawyers — courtroom performance directly affects the outcome
4
Keep court records as evidence of the lawyer's negligence
← #30 Breach of Confidentiality#32 Case Dumping