The Reasonable Client
Often clients call my office and feel they are entitled to get me immediately on the phone. However, sometimes that’s simply unrealistic. So, it got me to thinking, what is a reasonable client?
- A reasonable client should not yell, demand or give me or my staff ultimatums.
- A reasonable client should make their own decision about how to proceed after listening to my advice, whether or not they agree with my advice.
- A reasonable client should reply to my telephone calls, e-mails and letters as promptly as they can.
- A reasonable client should provide me with any change of address, e-mail address, or phone numbers.
- A reasonable client should be willing to listen and learn about their case, and about the legal procedures and processes that are going on in their case, recognizing that some of those processes are beyond my control.
- A reasonable client is willing to follow me as their attorney and as their legal guide on what is undoubtedly a stressful journey from the beginning of their case to the end of their case.
- A reasonable client is one who communicates with me and allows me to communicate with them.
There’s no such thing as a perfect client as far as I’m concerned. But having a reasonable client makes the lawyer/client relationship much more enjoyable for me and my client.
