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3/15/10
Working with Your Lawyer
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The key to any successful attorney-client relationship is communication. Communication creates trust, and being represented by an attorney you can trust to handle your legal matter is of paramount importance. Unfortunately, the time demands placed on the lawyer and frustration and misunderstanding on the part of the client can cause a breakdown in communication and erode the trust in the relationship. This can in some circumstances cause severe and hazardous consequences to the client's case. Fortunately, however, there are things both the lawyer and the client can do to keep the lines of communication open and preserve the relationship.
Your lawyer should keep you reasonably informed about your case. This should include providing you with periodic updates on the case's progress and explaining to you what unfamiliar events and terms mean. If you haven't heard from your lawyer and you would like to know what is going on, don't be afraid to call and ask. Keep in mind, however, that any type of litigation can be time consuming and a certain amount of patience is necessary. Your lawyer should also include you in the decision-making process. You should also know that certain decisions, such as whether to settle your case, are solely yours to make.
Communication is not solely the responsibility of the lawyer. You as a client should also undertake steps to ensure that your lawyer knows what is going on with you and your case. Lawyers are trained to determine what facts are significant and insignificant to your legal claim. If you have information that you think might bear any relevance to your case, then make sure to share that with your lawyer and let them make the decision whether it is useful. You should always err on the side of full disclosure so that your lawyer knows all the relevant facts and can prepare your case accordingly. You as a client should also timely provide your lawyer with any information they request to enable your lawyer to meet deadlines imposed by the courts.
Working with your lawyer should not be just an added hassle to deal with in the pursuit of your case. Keeping the lines of communication open will help ensure that you have a successful and fruitful working relationship.
Posted by liz at March 15, 2010 6:55 AM MDT
