Chapter 11: Impersonating a Lawyer

All young lawyers are haunted by the feeling that they're only impersonating a lawyer and someone is going to find out.  The first time I found myself saying to a judge, "I move the admission of Exhibit 1," I felt ridiculous, as if I were reciting a line from a B movie, as indeed I was. 

At least law school and the movies had taught me the line.  Unfortunately, neither had showed me how to "manage clients"—the slightly supercilious term lawyers use to describe the complex dance steps necessary to keep clients happy while reducing their expectations to the reasonable and dissuading them from foolishness.  Clients don't always want to be managed.  Once I was given the task of advising mid-level bank officials about options for repossessing equipment after the borrower's default.  I began, in what I thought was a jocular manner, by saying, "Well, we have three legal options and one illegal one."  I explained the three.  Then one of the officials said, perfectly seriously, "Tell us the other alternative."

I'd already been in the practice for a couple of years before I finally received some concrete practical advice about communicating with clients.  A wise partner told me that I should always make a point of underestimating the chance of success.  That way, if you fail, the client understands you did the best you could against daunting odds.  And if you win, you look like a genius.

Comments

[Texas DWI Lawyer]

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