Practicing Law Sucks

Lawyers Are Typically Great At Taking Care Of Others, But Not So Great At Taking Care Of Themselves

All practicing lawyers know that the keys to the successful outcome of a court case, or a mediation or arbitration proceeding, or a negotiation session is deep CONCENTRATION, thorough PLANNING and careful STRATEGIZING.  Good lawyers know how to do all three, well.  And, they do all three for each and every case/matter in which they are involved.

But, it is surprising to us how seldom lawyers concentrate on, plan and strategize their own PERSONAL "lives."

Is that because they are too involved in their clients' matters to focus on their own personal matters?  Or, because they are too busy in their office to think about their time out of their office?  Or, because their clients' lives and affairs take precedence over their own lives and affairs?

At one point in their lives, many lawyers "wake up" and ask themselves the question "Is this all there is?"

Many have earned professional prestige; they have acquired financial wealth; and, they have many accolades hanging on their walls - - but, they have not acquired "a life."  There is a point in time when they come to realize that they have paid a heavy "price" for those things that they have earned through years of legal practice, but they now yearn for those things (possibly more meaningful) that they have not attained along the way.

It is one thing for a lawyer to be able to brag about having a "successful court record," but, it is an entirely different thing for a lawyer to be able to (truthfully) say that they are "happy" - - in their work and in their life.

We suggest to lawyers that they periodically take time out to do some self-examination.  Lawyers will take hours to examine the facts of, and research the law for, a client's case (and charge heavily for doing so); but, few take a fraction of that time to concentrate on, plan for, and strategize their own personal lives.

How sad !

Knowing When To Say "No"

Webster's Dictionary defines the word "No" as meaning: ..."not ever; not in any degree; not at all; nay; not so; deny; refuse..."

It is easy for a lawyer to say "No" when the "Client from hell" comes into the office with the worse case you have seen in years. (Scenario #1)

But, what do you say when the "Client from hell" comes into the office with a "decent case"? (Scenario #2)

Or, when the nicest, friendliest, most helpless client comes in with a bad case? (Scenario #3)

We must remember that taking the wrong client or the wrong case will keep us up at night.  When in doubt, a lawyer has to ask themselves the question "Is it worth it?"  If one says "Yes" when they should say "No," they are oftentimes asking for trouble.

There is an old joke: "What part of 'No' don't you understand?"

Unhappy Clients = Unhappy Lawyer

We believe that there is a direct proportionate relationship between the degree of satisfaction of one's clients and the degree of satisfaction a lawyer derives from their practice/career.

In other words - - Unhappy Clients produce Unhappy Lawyers.

How can a lawyer derive satisfaction and fulfillment from their practice (or legal career) if they continually (or even occasionally) have unhappy (unsatisfied) clients?

All of us know from experience that one or two "unhappy clients" can make life (and/or work) miserable for us.

So, the key is to keep all of our clients "happy" - - which, of course, is easier said than done.

One way to do this is not to accept prospective clients who, early on, we detect are the type that are difficult to satisfy - - the type that most probably will be unhappy with us, with our work product (regardless of how well it is done) or with the probable outcome of the case or matter.

Unfortunately, the reverse of this equation is not always true.  You can have Happy Clients and still be an Unhappy Lawyer - - but, that's another story.

What Makes For A "Good Lawyer"?

Since we coach and mentor lawyers (with the emphasis on "career satisfaction"), we are often asked the question "What makes for a good lawyer?"

Obviously, having a good professional skill-set is imperative.  One could not get through Law School and the Bar Exam without possessing the requisite "lawyering" skills.  And, of course, a high degree of ethics is mandatory.

Also, it is helpful (if not required in many cases) that a lawyer be a good communicator, possess social skills, and know how to develop some business, as well.

But, we take a broader view that being a "good lawyer" requires much more.  That possessing good professional lawyering skills is just part of the equation.

We believe that being a "good lawyer" is very much like being a "good person" or a "good citizen" in that many more elements in addition to good "work skills" are involved.

Such things as being a good husband or wife to one's spouse, a good father or mother to one's child or children, a good son or daughter to one's parents, maintaining good physical and mental health, community involvement, giving back to those who helped you get to where you are, and having some FUN along the way -- are just some of the additional elements we observe when we think of the "good lawyers" we know.

Our favorite poem expresses it well...

                    "How great it is to believe the dream, 

                         As we stand in youth by the starry stream;      

                    But, greater still is to live life through,         

                         And to say at the end, "The dream is true.'"                                                         

                                                

Clients To Avoid, If You Want To Get A Good Night's Sleep

Dr. Mark Goulston, M.D., a prominent Los Angeles Psychiatrist and Author, has compiled a list of 10 types of prospective or new clients a lawyer should seriously consider avoiding if the lawyer wants to get a good night's sleep.

...and, keep in mind that one or two "clients from hell" can ruin an otherwise satisfying and enjoyable practice.

That list:

1. The prospective client is presently represented by an attorney whom they have decided isn't doing a good job;
2. The prospective client is looking for someone to review their case to see if they should sue their current counsel for professional malpractice;
3. The prospective client wants to hire you because they heard that you are a real pit bull;
4. The prospective client lays out their litigation strategy in the first meeting for you to follow;
5. The prospective client presents you with a highly organized and tabbed notebook of trial exhibits for a case that hasn't even been filed;
6. The prospective client forgets to bring any documents to the initial consultation meeting;
7. The prospective client wants you to handle their business litigation matter on a contingency fee basis;
8. The prospective client cries during the initial consultation (and it's not a divorce case);
9. The new client calls you twice to discuss the case on the same day they retained you; and,
10. The new client disputes charges for telephone calls and e-mails made to them that are on the first billing.

We are certain that this list could include many other "less-than-ideal" types of clients.

Music Soothes The Mind, As Well As The Soul

There is an old adage that says: "music soothes the soul."

We know for a fact from scientific evidence that music has an effect on the brain.  Music has been found to change behavior.  The right kind of music can turn depression into joy, anger into calmness, hate to love, and fear to courage.  Beautiful music has an effect on people and it can soothe and take away feelings of frustration and anger.  Music definitely makes a difference in alleviating stress and tension.  We all have experienced some or all of these effects that music has had on us from time to time.

So, if music soothes the brain (or mind), during heavy periods of stress and tension that lawyers experience from time to time, a lawyer could find that leaning back in their chair, quieting their mind, and listening to some soothing music for 5 or 10 minutes could make a world of difference in their current state of mind - or even their day.

We have recommend to our lawyer clients that they purchase a small hi-fi unit for their office, or keep their Walkman or iPod handy, and, during those "difficult times" that arise from time to time, turn "on" or plug "in" to some soothing music to "ease the mind" (as well as the soul).

We are certain that you will notice the calming affect that those few minutes make in your otherwise tension-filled day.

Prospective Lawyers Tell Big Firms They Want "A Life"

A Wall Street Journal article, appearing on April 4, 2007 written by Peter Lattman, states that about 125 students from some of the nation's top law schools asked 100 of the nation's biggest law firms to sign on to principles espousing a saner work environment for lawyers, such as adopting balanced-hour policies and reducing partnership's billable-hour expectations.

These requests where emailed to hiring partners and recruiting coordinators.

The students asserted that before the Fall interviewing season, they would spread the word on campuses about which firms do not sign on.

The students acknowledged that such changes in work structures would come with an economic cost, and are willing to be paid less in exchange for a better working life.

As of the date of this Journal article, several of the firms declined to comment on their responses to the students' requests - - perhaps waiting to see what their competitors had to say.

When Devotion To Work Becomes Job Obsession

A Wall Street Journal article, appearing January 23, 2007, written by Dana Mattioli, makes the point that, in today's busy business world, it can be difficult to distinguish between a workaholic and a person who simply is dedicated to doing a good job.

Workaholics devote excessive time to their jobs and often become anxious when they can't.  When devotion to work becomes unhealthy, side effects may include fatigue, sleep disorders and stress-related ailments, including heart attack and stroke - - in other words, literally working oneself to death.

An example is being in church or at the theater or on vacation (if one is ever taken), and thinking all the time about work back at the office.

Workaholics frequently put in such long hours that they can't see family or socialize.

The author gives five common traits of workaholics (many, or all of which, apply to some lawyers we know):

1. Preoccupation With Work.  Workaholics are typically unable to "turn it off."  They are thinking about work, if not actually doing work, in the car, at home, on vacation - - all the time.

2. Discomfort Delegating.  Workaholics are often poor delegators, because they need to remain in control.

3. Neglect Other Aspects Of Life.  Workaholics often put their work before their families and other aspects of their personal lives.

4. Merge Other Parts Of Their Lives Into Their Work.  For example, they may try to create businesses based on their hobbies.

4. "Sneaking" Work.  Workaholics, like addicts, often try to hide their addiction for work.  They will often lie about where they have been (at the office) or what they have been doing.

Workaholics pay a heavy personal "price" for this addiction; and, if one is merely overzealous at doing a good job, such devotion is, to say the least, unhealthy - - both personally and physically.