NJ Lawyers Question: How Long Is Too Long to Respond?

As a legal secretary/paralegal, I've worked for several large and smaller law firms in NY in my lifetime. All of them were high pressured -- everything had to be done "yesterday". Client phone calls had to be returned the same day -- even if you didn't have an answer to the client's question(s). Engagement agreements had to be sent to the client within 48 hours of the first meeting with the client. If the attorney was in a meeting/court/deposition for most of the day and the client had a question, it was up to me to respond to the client and to give the client a reasonable expectation as to when they would hear from the attorney.

In the last year, I've needed to deal with quite a few NJ law firms, buying/selling houses, estate matters, etc. I'm constantly amazed at how unresponsive they all were/are. I can call to speak to the attorney with a question, have a message taken, and then not hear anything for days. I have e-mailed the attorney and his assistant asking for a phone call, and again, don't hear anything for days. When I call back to ask why I haven't been responded to, I'm told "he's busy"! I met with the latest attorney 3-1/2 weeks ago -- I still haven't received an engagement agreement, and there is a matter pending that needs to be attended to.

Am I being unreasonable, based on my own professional experiences in working with clients? Are NJ law firms more lackadaisical? Is this something I just have to get used to?

Any advice is appreciated.

I think you are dealing with the wrong firms. Were you referred to these attorneys by real estate agents or personal recommendations?

truth said:
I think you are dealing with the wrong firms. Were you referred to these attorneys by real estate agents or personal recommendations?

Both.