3 Things to Consider Before Switching Attorneys

Updated on December 28, 2022

At Schorr Law, a large part of our practice over the past 10+ years has involved substituting into cases shortly before trial.   Here are a few good examples:

• We substituted into a case on the day of trial – took the matter to trial and won on behalf of one of our clients against a large National Bank;
• We substituted into a case a few months before trial and won – reversing the entire pattern of the case including the judge’s foregone conclusion that our client would lose (we won)
• We substituted into a commercial leasing dispute about 2 weeks before trial, took the matter to trial and won;
• We substituted into a easement dispute in Palos Verdes and were able to bring it to a successful resolution after prior counsel had litigated the case for years;
• We have substituted into several specific performance cases in order to obtain real property for our clients or negate their obligation to sell;
• We substituted into an easement dispute in the Hollywood Hills and settled it on the day of trial after prior counsel had litigated the manner for years.

We have many more examples we can provide.    Unlike other firms, we like substituting into cases because it allows us to provide a fresh and unique perspective on a case that may have become old or that needs revamping.

Because we have extensive experience taking matters to trial and substituting in for prior counsel, we have three tips to consider:

1.  Why are you switching attorneys?

The right answer is for things like a fresh perspective, more experienced counsel or more specialized counsel.  We are frequently retained because of our expertise with real estate matters.  Often a client will hire a generalist attorney or an attorney who dabbles in real estate only to find out that their needs are better served by a firm like ours that works almost exclusively in real estate.

2.  How Close Are You To Trial?

While we have substituted into cases early and late (even on the day of trial) the timing on a substitution of attorney can be difficult.  If you have a large matter set for trial within 60 or even 90 days it may be very difficult for a new attorney to get up to speed.  We advise making the switch sooner or sticking with your present counsel if you are dangerously close to trial.

3.  Experience

Relevant experience is always a key inquiry.   What we find is that we are often cleaning up the errors of non-real estate attorneys.  Be careful who you pick to represent you – they should have the experience in your actual dispute area.

Sometimes a second opinion for an experianced real estate attorney in Los Angeles is all you need.  To inquire about if you qualify for a free consultation on your matter, please contact us today at (310) 954-1877, or email us at [email protected].