What to Expect From a Lawyer

A lawyer's job is to help the client (that's you) to make an informed choice. Whether the choice is to negotiate, litigate or walk away, to accept a contract as is or propose changes, to incorporate or not, the lawyer's job is to provide you with reliable and complete analysis so that you can make the decision. That analysis may be about the law, the facts, or life in general (thus the term "counselor at law"), but once the advice is given, the decision and the consequences still belong to you.

So what does the lawyer (that's me) need from you? To begin with, I need to know what your goals are. If you are getting divorced, are you worried about the pension and not the house? Visitation but not child support? Getting the most you can or fighting as little as you have to? In real estate, do you want the deal to close at any cost? If not, what are your deal breakers? After that, you must tell me the truth. The WHOLE truth, not just what you think makes you sound the best or the most noble. If you give me incomplete information, I give back incomplete advice.

Once the truth is out and my advice is given, you and I both need the same things, communication and cooperation. If I leave you a message, call me back, and I will do the same. If you have questions, ask, and keep asking until you understand the answers. Make sure I understand the facts of your situation (you know better, since you've lived it), and trust that I understand the law and the legal strategy. With that foundation, we're ready to tackle your problem together.

Next Column - Divorce Law and the "Scorched Earth" Approach

Ken Runes
April 5, 2002

The material presented on the wbsite of Runes Law Offices, P.C. is intended for information purposes only; people who have specific legal problems or issues should rely on legal advice only if provided by an attorney after in-person consultation.