Problems with your lawyer
What to Do If Your Lawyer Isn't Responding
Last updated June 13, 2026
- Send one clear written message (email or letter) stating your question and a deadline to respond.
- Contact the firm's office manager or a supervising partner if the lawyer is at a firm.
- If still ignored, send a written notice that you'll seek new counsel and request your complete file.
- File a complaint with the licensing authority — neglect and failure to communicate are ethics violations.
- Check the lawyer's disciplinary record; if they're suspended, that explains the silence.
attorneys are currently disbarred or suspended of record across the 37 states we track.
Source: official state bar registration rosters.
Why it matters
Lawyers have an ethical duty to keep clients reasonably informed and respond to reasonable requests. Persistent silence isn't just frustrating — it can be a disciplinable failure to communicate, and on a time-sensitive matter it can cause real harm.
Create a paper trail
Switch from voicemail to writing. A dated email or letter that states your question and a reasonable deadline does two things: it often gets a response, and if it doesn't, it becomes evidence for a bar complaint or a fee dispute.
When silence is a red flag
Check whether they're still licensed
A lawyer who suddenly goes dark may have been suspended or may be facing their own problems. Their license status is public — check it before assuming it's just poor service.
Think your lawyer mishandled your case?
If a lawyer's mistakes cost you money or your case, a legal malpractice or fee-dispute attorney can tell you whether you have a claim. Start by pulling your lawyer's official disciplinary record — it's free.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I wait for a lawyer to respond?
There's no fixed rule, but a few business days for a routine question is reasonable; urgent matters need faster contact. Persistent silence over weeks, especially near a deadline, is a problem worth escalating.
Can I report a lawyer for not communicating?
Yes. Failure to keep a client reasonably informed is an ethics violation in every state. You file a complaint with the licensing authority that admitted the lawyer.
Can I get my file if my lawyer won't respond?
Generally yes — your file largely belongs to you. Request it in writing. If the lawyer refuses, that itself can support a bar complaint.
Related guides
- What to Do If You Have a Problem With Your Lawyer
- How to Fire Your Attorney and Switch Lawyers Mid-Case
- How to File a Complaint Against an Attorney
Numbers on this page are computed from official rosters — see our data sources & methodology. This guide is part of the problems with your lawyer series.
This site republishes official public records and is not legal advice, a lawyer referral service, or a consumer reporting agency. Information here may not be used to make decisions about employment, tenancy, or credit (FCRA). Records are shown as published by their official sources and may contain errors or be out of date; consult the linked official source to verify. To correct or dispute a record, contact the licensing authority of record.