How to Be a Good Attorney for Your Clients

Many clients emerge from an attorney client relationship frustrated and skeptical about attorneys. Sometimes this is due to their own unreasonable expectations of what the attorney can do for them; however there are times that their feelings are justified.

According to the American Bar Association Center For Professional Responsibility there were over 5000 attorneys formally charged after a probable cause determination in 2006. That is over 5000 justifiably dissatisfied clients. The actual number of complaints made to the disciplinary agency was 123,927[1]. That is 123,927 people dissatisfied enough with their attorney to lodge a formal complaint against them, what of the people who go away quietly disgruntled?

It is possible for clients who do not win their case to still be satisfied with the performance of their attorney. When a client understands their attorney has worked very hard on their case and done everything the attorney could, their dissatisfaction turns more towards the "system" rather than the attorney.

This article will explore some if the top complaints from dissatisfied clients and how attorneys can avoid these situations.

1. Not explaining the "hows and whys" of the court process. Clients often do not understand what their attorney is doing or why or why they can't do something else. When people are in court, especially in family court, it's usually regarding an issue that can have life altering results. Not understanding adds to the client's anxiety and frustration about the entire situation. Communication about what the attorney is doing and why is vital for a satisfactory attorney client relationship. It is a great opportunity for the attorney to really show the client HOW they are working for them and why they are worth the money the client is spending.