The legal profession generally is sometimes seen as somewhere near the bottom of the popularity poles, along with traffic wardens, estate agents and the like. According to myth and media, we charge vast sums for doing what any lay person could do equally well – if not better – if only they had the time. We are perceived as feeding off people’s problems and, of course, divorce lawyers are frequently blamed for creating them! Am I being too cynical? Well, maybe, but so many people seem to have axes to grind about lawyers or, on the other hand, to be rather intimidated by them. But, let’s face it, everyone needs a lawyer from time to time. So how do you choose the right law firm and how do you work successfully with your lawyer? What makes the difference between the commonly held rather, scary view of lawyers, and the real satisfaction which is often achieved by both client and lawyer at the end of a successful case or transaction? This is where the 3Cs come in: Choice, Communication and Costs.
Choosing the right lawyer
• Get a recommendation from a trusted source, be it friend or other professional – this is by far the best option and it is the route by which most new clients come to my firm and to me.
• Check out the law firm’s website – is it up to date and genuinely informative, or is it little more than an electronic business card and still advertising the seminar the firm held 12 months ago?
• Arrange a preliminary meeting – get organised with a list of the points to which you need answers and be clear what you are looking for. Do you want a rottweiler or a pussycat?
• Do the law firm and the lawyer with whom you will be mainly dealing have the relevant experience and expertise? These days, most firms can offer a team approach covering various specialist fields, but no one lawyer and very few firms can honestly claim to be experts in every aspect of the law.
• First impressions are important – when you visit the firm’s premises, is the reception area and its staff welcoming and professional? If not, then it is unlikely that the rest of the firm will be either.
Lines of communication
• Give clear instructions. If you prefer not to confirm these in writing yourself, ask your lawyer to do so, or to let you have a copy of file notes of important meetings.
• Don’t hold back or sanitise information. Lawyers have a strict duty of confidentiality but cannot advise you properly unless they have the full picture, warts and all.
• Make your expectations clear and expect your lawyer to be upfront about what can and cannot realistically be achieved within what timescale.
• If you have key dates to meet or particular objectives you want to achieve, say so at the outset.
• Don’t ignore or delay responding to communications from your lawyer and then expect him or her to work miracles overnight. If you don’t appear to consider your matter requires prompt attention, your lawyer is unlikely to do so either.
• If you don’t understand something, always ask. Some technical terms may be unavoidable, but unnecessary jargon should be avoided by a good lawyer.
Consider the costs
• Unless you’ve been given a fixed quote, it’s usually all about time. You can expect to be charged not just for meetings and drafting documents, but also letters/emails to/from you and others, telephone calls in & out …even thinking time!
• Engagement letter – at the outset you should be given estimates, details of hourly rates and other expenses you may have to meet, as well as information on billing arrangements.
• Always pay your bills promptly – this generates immense goodwill and a willingness to reciprocate in the way in which your work is handled. If, for good reason, you cannot pay within the required period, then contact your lawyer soonest to discuss and agree alternative arrangements; this will have almost as good an effect as actually paying in full immediately.
