Here is an interesting piece that shows things perhaps from the other side of the table than we are used to. It an article on a website dedicated to entrepreneurs, instructing them on techniques to use in finding a lawyer, and what to look for. We should remember that many of our potential clients may not like lawyers or may not think that they need one, and so we should try to put them at ease at initial consultation meetings and the like.

The article also points out the preventative benefits that hiring an attorney before a problem arises can have. This is another opportunity for branding or marketing ourselves–although litigators are typically reactive, other attorneys can be more proactive in nature. For example, an attorney advising a start up with many employees could draft a strong employee handbook, which could head off numerous problems down the line, including at will employment disclaimers, sexual harassment policies, etc.

I think the lesson learned from this is that we should try to put ourselves in the client’s shoes at many points through the process, and continually reassess how we are providing services.