State Wide Grievance Comm. v. Timbers, No. Cv99-0171925s (Aug. 2, 2000)

**What Happened** This case involved attorney John Timbers, who got into trouble with Connecticut's legal oversight committee for how he handled his business relationship with a client. The committee found that Timbers broke professional rules in two ways: he failed to put a fee agreement in writing when he agreed to take a percentage of any money his client won, and he didn't properly communicate with his client about what fees would be charged for his legal services. **What the Court Decided** The court ruled against Timbers and suspended him from practicing law for six months. The court found that he violated Connecticut's professional conduct rules that require lawyers to have written fee agreements and to keep clients informed about costs. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling reinforces important protections for people who hire lawyers, including workers seeking legal help for employment issues. It shows that lawyers must be transparent about their fees and put agreements in writing. If you're a worker considering hiring an attorney for workplace problems, you have the right to receive clear, written information about what you'll be charged and how fees will be calculated.