What can I do if my attorney will not return my calls? 

Question Details:

I spoke with my patent atty in 05/09. At that time he said he received information from the patent office and would mail it to me. To date 11/20/09, he will not return my calls, respond to my emails or letters sent. I do not owe him any money. I paid him for him to file as we go along and I am due the response. I keep calling and I am very professional and nice. I feel hurt. What can I do? I call his home office and leave telephone messages. I call his office and leave messages with secretary and he will just not call me. We had a friendly rapport. What can I do ?

Asked 11/20/2009 under Business | 1496 View(s) | More Legal Topics

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Business Law Answers

At this point, you may need to get less friendly--whether it's because of a personal or medical problem or business reversal, which at least would be somewhat excusable, or simple professional negligence, which would not be, your attorney is not responding to you, and in so doing, may be putting your intellectual property or economic interests at risk. First send him a lettter, by some method or methods by which you can prove delivery, restating what the attorney has told you--that he has information from the patent office for you--requesting it, and stating that  if you don't hear from him within 5 or 10 business days, you may be forced to take action. If he doesn't get back to you, you should contact the office of your state court system which oversees attorneys and report his lapse to them.

You might also try contacting the PTO directly and explaining that your attorney is no longer responding to you--can they send you the information directly?

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