Duty to Communicate: A Matter of Respect, Not Just Ethics

Unfortunately, many of my colleagues fail to communicate properly with their clients. Maybe they are too greedy, taking on more cases than they can handle. Maybe they are disorganized or simply don’t care. Whatever the reason, the result is the same: clients are left in the dark, frustrated, anxious, and unsure about their legal matters.

When I started my practice, I met with a seasoned attorney who had been practicing for decades. He gave me one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received:

👉 Return calls the same day.

He told me he had been doing this for 35 years, and countless clients have told him, “You are the only attorney who calls back the same day.” That really stuck with me. I realized that something as simple as timely communication is often overlooked in the legal profession.

From that moment on, I adopted the same practice: if a client calls or emails me, I respond the same day—even if it’s just to acknowledge their message and let them know when I’ll get back with a full answer. And if I ever reach a point where I can’t keep up with communication, I simply stop taking on more cases. It’s that simple.

A Legal Obligation and a Professional Standard

The duty to communicate is not just a good practice—it is a legal requirement. The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct explicitly require attorneys to keep their clients informed. Each state has its own bar rules that emphasize the same obligation. Attorneys must communicate case updates, respond to reasonable inquiries, and explain matters to allow clients to make informed decisions.

But this is not just about compliance with ethics rules—it is a sign of true professionalism.

Clients put their trust in us. They are paying for our services, sometimes dealing with life-changing legal matters. Ignoring them or making them wait for weeks or months is completely unacceptable.

The Problem in Immigration Law

This issue is especially bad in immigration law. Many immigration attorneys take on far more clients than they can handle, leaving people waiting weeks, even months without a response. Today, I received a call from a potential client who said he has been trying to reach his attorney for almost a year—without success. That is completely unacceptable.

I don’t operate like that. I return calls. I respond to emails. I respect my clients.

If an attorney cannot keep up with communication, they should stop taking new cases or hire help. There is no excuse for leaving clients in the dark, especially when they are relying on us for something as important as their legal status, their future, or their business.

Good communication is not hard. It just requires discipline and a sense of responsibility. And, honestly, it makes everything easier—not just for clients, but for the attorney as well.

If you are an attorney reading this, ask yourself: Are you giving your clients the communication they deserve?

And if you are a client struggling to get in touch with your lawyer, know that you deserve better.