3 Reasons Lawyers Deserve Some Love

I’ve been a lawyer for 20 years and I’ve dealt with more lawyers than anyone should. While lawyers aren’t the most miserable people in the world, they certainly act like they are pretty often. Let’s face it- Lawyers are almost universally despised. And, to be honest, I’ve seen the conduct that justifies this vilification.

However, as a lawyer I do things a few things that make professionals or businesses don’t do. No, I’m not talking about purposeful duplicity. I’m talking about courtesies that many lawyers extend to their clients that are unheard of in other businesses.

Here are three:

1. No Cancellation Fees- Lawyers will only bill you for work they do. If you blow off a scheduled conference call with a lawyer, they generally won’t charge you. Other professionals aren’t as forgiving. Sometimes they’ll treat you as if you did take their time, or they’ll charge you a set fee. Lawyers let it slide (at least in the billing).

2. Delayed Payments- May times clients say to me- “I’m having some financial trouble- can I delay payment?” I can’t speak for other lawyers, but I always give my clients a break with this situation. That’s not to say I’ll wait forever, or I like it, but I’ll always be understanding and I would never charge interest or late fees. Compare that to your bank, utility, etc.

3. First Consultation for Free- Other businesses do this, but not to the extent that lawyers do. For example, your mechanic will take a few minutes and look at your car and give you an estimate. I’ve spent 2 or 3 hours with a client and looking at his documents, only to tell him that he should NOT open a file with me and pay me a fee. And, Iike most lawyers, if I do take on a client, that first consultation is free. That’s not a promotion- that’s a rule.

There may be other ways that lawyers truly live up to their noble callings, these are just 3. So the next time someone tells a lawyer joke…. Write it down and email it to me. I love those!

Avrum Aaron, Esq. is the COO of Legal Outsourcing Partners, LLC. Email him at avrum@lop-llc.com. Check out the website at http://www.lop-llc.com
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