Choosing A Lawyer

I just attended a Continuing Legal Education seminar.

As I observed the behavior of other lawyers in the room it occurred to me that clients should be permitted to watch through a one-way mirror. Most of the lawyers in the room were polite, attentive and eager to learn. Those, in my view, are the lawyers you'd most want to hire.

The others were arrogant. They talked to one another during the presentations. They checked email, ceaselessly. They unwrapped candy, loudly. They went out of their way to make it known they were far too important for this. Maintaining their (in my view questionable) competence was an absolute inconvenience.

Arrogance is rarely a positive attribute. It interferes with effective communication, whether that be with you the client, or with opposing counsel. When I encounter arrogant lawyers in a transaction my respect for them immediately plummets. And this may or may not be justified, but so too does my level of trust.

Those who are too important to learn, are suspect.