Hire a Tampa Attorney with High Ethical Standards
Hire a Tampa Attorney with High Ethical Standards
Why an Ethical Standard Matters So Much with an Attorney
When you hire an attorney, you assume that the person is a professional who is highly skilled and will work unerringly for you, the client. You also have every right to assume that the attorney will be ethical as well. Unfortunately, too often, attorneys fail their clients in this area of ethical behavior and, in some cases, they do so more than once. How is this possible? Isn’t there a system of oversight to prevent this kind of behavior? Yes there is, as attorneys are subject to a disciplinary system when the facts demonstrate that they have acted unethically. However, by the time this process is concluded, the damage for many clients involved may have already been done. So, like so many things that can be costly after the fact, the smartest approach is to prevent the problem from happening in the first place. And that involves doing everything possible to ensure that you are hiring an ethical attorney from the beginning.
There are Rules, But They Aren’t Always Followed
Every state has professional rules all licensed attorneys are expected to follow. However, that doesn’t mean that they always do. We’d like to believe that most of our fellow attorneys are highly ethnical – and we actually do believe that to be the case. But, unfortunately, as in any profession, there are a small percentage of characters that skirt the edge of the envelope and an even smaller number who outright cross the line. If just based on an attorney’s word, a prospective client would have no idea whom they are dealing with aside from references. And some of the best fraudsters are good at separating people from their money – but not living up to their end of the contractual bargain. Eventually a client will file a complaint against the attorney with the Florida Bar, and an investigation will ensue. When the conduct warrants it, these attorneys get disciplined.
Every Problem Leaves a Trail to be Found
At first, much of the discipline action may be notices, warnings, official censures, or fines. Once probable cause is found, the discipline stands as a public record that any prospective client can look up and find if they are willing to take the time to do the research. However, many clients who don’t understand the legal industry also don’t know to ask or where to look. Too often, prospective clients rely simply on marketing to pick an attorney. It’s not really much of a surprise then why unethical attorneys still succeed at creating problems.
Leading by an Example of Ethical Service
At Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore, we pride ourselves on maintaining the highest ethical standards – not merely because the rules tell us to do so but because our own sense of professionalism and morality would not allow us to do otherwise. Our disciplinary records are spotless, and we have every confidence that they will remain that way. Though we feel confident that most of our fellow attorneys in the broader profession can claim the same, we are saddened that not every attorney in Florida can stand by such a pledge. What we are most grateful for is that our clients seem to recognize our commitment to the highest ethical standards, as reflected by the following review:
A Well-Known Tampa Example You Can Rely On
As a Tampa presence, Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore has repeatedly performed with the highest ethics possible.This isn’t an empty marketing statement; Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore’s Tampa personal injury attorneys truly believe that their obligation is to represent each and every client as fully as possible, as accurately as possible, consistent with their ethical – and human – obligations to each client.
When seeking to hire an experienced and ethical personal-injury attorney, prospective clients would do well to consider what other clients have reported about Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore. Compare other law firms to Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore’s record and well-earned reputation. We suspect that the list of contenders will grow short, as the challenge mounts to match Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore’s ethical service, much less exceed it. Ultimately, every case – no matter its size or possible recovery amount – matters to you and matters a lot. We want you to know it matters a lot to us, too.
