Lawyers?

How does this whole hiring a lawyer thing really work? I've already retained one, but it feels like I'm so distant from what's going on. I don't know what's happening with my case and I don't even know if they know I still exist. If I pay, or don't pay, they don't say anything... Above anything, I would think they would pay more attention to their money, right???

So what's the deal? Anybody ever feel like this too?

Here's what I think they should be doing:

Keep the Client Informed.
No matter what the news is. If it's bad, tell your client. If it's good, tell your client. I don't think it needs to be a big deal. You don't have to call and talk for an hour (because that would be expensive since you charge for every second.) Send them an e-mail every now and then and tell them where they stand. If you're waiting for some paper to be singed or for the opposing to get back to you, tell them!

Be Less Busy.
I get that being a lawyer might require a lot of work. So don't accept more clients than you can handle!!! If a client picks you, then be available to work for them. What if I hired a man to landscape my lawn and I wanted him to do it in a month. I pay him by the hour, but he spends time talking with my neighbors, and more time in planning meetings, then he goes back to his office, then he landscapes all my neighbors lawns, then he looks at mine for a few hours and then leaves again without telling me anything. Be available to work for your client, if you're too busy, then slow it down.

Be Responsible.
This sounds ridiculous for me to have to say, but do what you say you're going to do. If you say you'll call your client back, then do it, because they are waiting. It's extremely sad to be let down by your lawyer. They're supposed to be on your side. If they're worse than you're ex-spouse, then how can you even trust them to do the job right?

Charge What Deserves to Be Charged.
One time, lawyer I was with couldn't make it to a deposition I was scheduled to go to. He went through the formalities to cancel the appointment. The next time I received an invoice from him, I was charged for all the "work" he did to cancel that appointment. I was charged because he was busy? I was completely free that day because I cleared my schedule. We shouldn't pay for things that you do wrong.

I'm sure there are lawyers who already do these things, and whoever I'm with is just giving all lawyers a bad name, but please, if you're a lawyer, make sure your client feels comfortable. Lots of times people only need lawyers in very stressful situations. It's extremely hard to have your own lawyer add to that stress.