Five Things you probably SHOULDN’T say to an attorney you are trying to hire
When looking for an attorney, you may find yourself in position of wondering why some attorneys may not wish to work you as a client. Here’s a few phrases that usually sends red flags to attorneys about you as a potential client:
1) I didn’t know I had to pay.
People sometimes don’t realize that NOT ALL cases are contingency fee cases. In other words, not all cases operate under the premise that you don’t have to pay unless the case is won. Attorneys are business peopole and their time is valuable. The last thing they want is a client who is thinking that they may get something for nothing. Before you come into an appointment, ask questions about payment arrangement and initial consultation fees so that you are aware what you may or may not have to pay.
2) The other attorney I spoke to said they could………
You are well within your rights to search for an attorney. You should take every opportunity to determine which attorney works for you. However, choosing an attorney is not like going to Walmart. You can’t say “K-mart” will charge me this lower price for the same product and think you’re going to get a better deal. Every attorney is different but the last thing an attorney wants is to have a situation where the client is OPENLY telling them that someone offered that client a better deal and what can the attorney do to match it. Usually, those words lets an attorney know that this person may be looking for an attorney who is either looking to tell them what they want to hear or the person has unrealistic expectations about their case.
3) Let me review your documents and talk it over with my family and I’ll call you back.
In most cases, most attorneys probably think that you are NOT going to come back. When you’ve taken the time to come to the office, sit down with the attorney and discuss the details, the thought is that you have taken the time to determine if this is the attorney that you want. However, if you say those words above, the attorney may think that there is something that you have a concern with and so you leaving to ‘review the documents’ is just a nice way of saying ‘i’m going to look for someone else’.
4) My ________ (brother, husband, wife, girlfriend, sister, etc.) wants to be there when we talk.
Remember, if you are of sound mind and body, YOU are the person that the attorney is going to work with and provide consultation. Sometimes, people think that they need to bring in a bunch of people to sit with them when they are meeting with the attorney for the first time. In some instances, this might be a problem. If the potential client is a child or has a cognitive or mental problem, it may not be an issue. However, when you bring other persons in, you have other people who may have in their minds their own view of what should and should not happen. As such, an attorney may be concerned that they are answering to a bunch of people as opposed to one person.
5) I don’t care WHAT you say or do. I want to win at all costs!
Most Bar organizations prevent attorneys from creating unrealistic expectations. As such, most attorneys want to make sure that their clients fully appreciate what they are getting into when they are handling their case. However, some clients don’t want to hear about about the pros and the cons. They want you to GUARANTEE a win. Let me tell you how FAST an attorney will RUN from you when you want a guarantee! They haven’t made a clock fast enough to time that speed!! The problem with guarantees is that if the attorney does NOT fulfill your demand, the attorney may be looking at a malpractice suit or a bar complaint.
I’m sure that there are plenty of other examples that attorneys can provide. Just remember, attorneys don’t have to take your case. If you ever wonder what may make them run away from you quickly, here are a few words.
