Choosing a Lawyer (Part III) - Personality
By Richard K. Gustafson
Unfortunately, in my years of practicing law I’ve heard too many stories from people who consulted with attorneys who called them names, made them feel like dirt, and even laughed at them! I would never even consider doing this to a client. I would find it difficult to work with an attorney that treats me this way. Call me old fashioned, but I try to treat my clients the way I would want to be treated in return and I try to instill that basic rule into each of my employees.
I think you should genuinely like the attorney you hire to represent you. I’m not implying you have to be best buddies. But, I think a professional relationship that is to be successful for both parties needs to be based on a mutual respect. Ask yourself, can I get along with and talk to this person, or do I prefer to run and hide whenver I have to deal with this person?
