Rule 1.3 Diligence

Your lawyer has to actually work on your case and keep it moving forward. This means returning calls, meeting deadlines, filing paperwork on time, and not letting your case sit and gather dust. If a lawyer takes on your case, they can't just ignore it or let it slip through the cracks.

The rule also means a lawyer can't abandon you halfway through the job. Once they agree to handle your legal matter, they have to see it through unless they properly withdraw from the case following the correct legal steps. They can't just decide one day to stop working on your case without a valid reason and proper notice.

If a lawyer misses deadlines, fails to file documents, doesn't return your calls, or lets your case sit without action, they may be violating this rule. This matters because delays and neglect can hurt your case, cost you money, or even cause you to lose rights you could have protected if your lawyer had acted on time.