How to work well with your attorney
Have you ever had a frustrating experience working with an attorney? Do you feel like they’re speaking one language and you another? As the service provider, the responsibility largely lies with your attorney to make sure your experience is a positive one. Here are a few tips to make sure you are getting the most out of your investment of time and money.
Know upfront how the attorney works. Ask what you should expect from them regarding responsiveness to calls and emails and turnaround time to produce the agreed upon work product. Ideally, this should be outlined in an engagement letter.
Don’t be afraid to share your expectations. You may have different expectations. Don’t be afraid to share those with your attorney. Be aware that certain expectations may mean a different price point. For example, 24/7/365 support is not the norm and would likely result in hire rates than an attorney how commits to responsiveness during standard business hours.
Ask questions. If you don’t understand what the attorney is advising you to do or why, ask questions. Challenge the attorney to simplify their guidance so that you walk away feeling confident that you understand what you must do to protect and grow your business.
Your relationship with your attorney should be one rooted in trust, and it should be one that empowers you and makes your business stronger as a result.