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I had a very good friend who was in a car collision a couple of weeks ago. Thankfully, she was not hurt. But, due to property damage issues, she had to sit down and talk to me about it. Her very first words were how embarrassing and weird it was. This is a person who has been around the cases in our office for years.

It made me think about what the new person must be worried about.

Embarrassed: Probably, because their life has been turned upside down. That they need help with personal parts of their life.

Stupid: That they will be demeaned or that they won’t understand what the lawyer says. That they will be asked to explain something that they won’t be able too.

Greedy: That someone will think they are trying to get away with something or won’t believe them. It’s not unusual to have a client ask if they are doing the right thing.

Ignored: That they won’t be listened to or that their case isn’t big enough to get anyone’s attention.

I can tell any potential client that through 19 years of experience, I understand all of these feelings and work to do my best to deal with each of them, that in dealing with so many different clients that each needs to be listened to and understood for all of their concerns. Also, that they aren’t there because they want to be, but because they need someone on their side who can help them with all of the paperwork and problems that come up when their life is turned upside down by the negligence of another.

Each client and potential client deserves the respect of the lawyer. Because, when it comes down to it, the client is hiring us, it’s not the other way around.

2 Comments

  1. Joe Crumley

    That's a great point, Mike. At one point in my career, I was the teacher and you were the student. One of the things I've learned from you (and John Bradshaw) is the importance of talking to people, even if they don't think they need a lawyer.

    Five minute on the phone or a short visit at the office doesn't take that long. Sometimes we can help them over the phone, sometimes we point them to someone else that can help them, and sometimes they were wrong and they really need a lawyer!

    Besides, it's free!

  2. Mike Bryant

    Thanks, it does make a difference to listen.

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