How many television shows have you watched where the client simply barges into their attorney’s office and expects a conversation? Or calls, demanding a conversation even if the attorney isn’t available? It happens more often than it should, and I say that because it’s not an accurate representation of how a client interacts (or should act) with an attorney.
Attorneys can’t be available at a client’s beck and call. They wouldn’t be able to complete the work that needs to be done on client cases. And if you have an attorney right now, you might be feeling frustrated because you’ve left a message, and your attorney hasn’t called you back. But before you consider firing the attorney or showing up unannounced at the attorney’s office, let’s look at a couple of things.
Attorneys can’t be available at a client’s beck and call. They wouldn’t be able to complete the work that needs to be done on client cases. And if you have an attorney right now, you might be feeling frustrated because you’ve left a message, and your attorney hasn’t called you back. But before you consider firing the attorney or showing up unannounced at the attorney’s office, let’s look at a couple of things.
How long has it been since you called? Most of the time, an attorney can’t return your call the same day because he’s returning the calls of other clients or she’s in court, in a deposition, on the phone with a judge, working on a legal document that is needed for court, or myriad other reasons. And if your attorney is in trial, that means they’ve spent the last few days preparing for the trial. When they leave the courtroom, there is preparation for the next day. So, at that point in time, the attorney is focusing on another case and can’t shift focus to yours. When it comes time for your case to go to trial, you will want and will get that same laser-focus.
Think about why you’re calling your attorney. Is it because you want an update on your case? Then perhaps it’s something the paralegal can handle. While it’s understandable you want to talk to the attorney you hired, attorneys hire paralegal/legal assistants because of their ability to assist clients and handle the ins and outs of the legal office. Most of the time, they can answer your question or, at the very least, ask the attorney for an answer for you which will enable you to get what you need quicker.
Think about why you’re calling your attorney. Is it because you want an update on your case? Then perhaps it’s something the paralegal can handle. While it’s understandable you want to talk to the attorney you hired, attorneys hire paralegal/legal assistants because of their ability to assist clients and handle the ins and outs of the legal office. Most of the time, they can answer your question or, at the very least, ask the attorney for an answer for you which will enable you to get what you need quicker.
Are you calling because you have something you think your attorney needs to know? That is something that can also be relayed to the paralegal. It’s understandable that you want to know your attorney is working on your case, but it’s essential for you to understand that if your lawyer does take your phone call, more often than not, you want to rehash something you’ve already shared, feel the need to vent over your entire legal situation, or express your frustration over the amount of time it is taking for your case to go to trial. Is that really an effective use of your attorney’s time?
And, if you’re paying your lawyer by the hour, every conversation you have is costing you money. Instead, if you allow him/her to do the work for which you hired them, you will keep your costs lower.
Finally, if you become frustrated because you can’t talk to your attorney on the phone and decide to show up at the office, you’re likely to be even more disappointed than you are awaiting a phone call. You can’t walk into your doctor’s office, your accountant’s office, or any number of other offices, and expect to be seen without an appointment. Yes, it’s frustrating, but what you see on television isn’t what really happens.
So if you really believe you need to talk to your attorney, call the paralegal or administrative assistant and schedule a telephone call or an in-person appointment. Yes, you might have to wait until the attorney has a clear spot on the calendar, but at least you’re guaranteed time to talk.
And, if you’re paying your lawyer by the hour, every conversation you have is costing you money. Instead, if you allow him/her to do the work for which you hired them, you will keep your costs lower.
Finally, if you become frustrated because you can’t talk to your attorney on the phone and decide to show up at the office, you’re likely to be even more disappointed than you are awaiting a phone call. You can’t walk into your doctor’s office, your accountant’s office, or any number of other offices, and expect to be seen without an appointment. Yes, it’s frustrating, but what you see on television isn’t what really happens.
So if you really believe you need to talk to your attorney, call the paralegal or administrative assistant and schedule a telephone call or an in-person appointment. Yes, you might have to wait until the attorney has a clear spot on the calendar, but at least you’re guaranteed time to talk.
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