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Advice for a Young Lawyer: What Clients Really Want

Throughout law school I was taught about the “client-lawyer relationship” and my professional obligations for serving my clients through law school textbooks. Upon entering practice, I quickly learned that there is more to what clients really want then what I had read in those textbooks. So, what do clients want? Below are the five biggest “client wants” that I have learned in my time as a new attorney.

By Chandler L. Watson Esq. Leadership Development Class Foos Lentz & Posey LLP cwatson@fpl.law | 937.913.0200

1. Clear and Timely Communication

Clients want updates. Clients do not want to be left wondering what the status of their case is or what their lawyer doing to advocate for their interests. Send the client an email notifying them that the judge ruled on the motion in their case. Call the client and let them know you will be sending their Ohio Secretary of State documents via email. Let the client know that you spoke with opposing counsel. Provide the client with a general status update. Taking the time to communicate with the client goes a long way to maintaining a happy client relationship.

2. Clear Expectations

Clients bring their problems and want the lawyer to find them a solution. Setting forth a plan for solving the client’s problem serves their interest and the lawyer’s too. Explain to the client the process for filing a Complaint and how long the opposing side has to Answer. Describe the steps that follow sending a demand letter. Give the client timelines. Set boundaries for what you will and won’t do for the client. Knowing what to expect puts the client’s mind at ease and mitigates the potential for any future issues in the lawyer’s representation.

3. Be on Top of Your Game

This may seem obvious, but clients expect their attorney to perform at the best of their ability. Knowing what you need to do to perform is essential. Before your first oral argument, re-read your outline one more time. Take the time to research one more legal issue. Proofread your motion and then proofread it again. Reflect and consider if there was anything further that could’ve been done. A lawyer on top of his or her game is the strongest client advocate. 4. Adaptability

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, adaptability has taken on a whole new meaning. Clients want to know that their lawyer can still conduct a deposition in their case through zoom (including screen sharing and knowing when to hit the mute button). Clients want answers to their questions. Can the settlement conference still take place? What about mediation? Did the deadlines change? Is my case paused? Attorneys across Dayton have risen to this occasion by adapting their practice to fit the current times and learning how to answer these client questions. While the world may be in a form of chaos, attorneys must provide a sense of stability for clients by showing them adaptability.

5. Personal Considerations

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Clients often come to lawyers in highly stressful and emotional situations. They may be going through a tumultuous marriage divorce. Or a business divorce. Their business may be struggling because of a breach of contract issue. They may want to leave their employment but feel trapped by a noncompete. They may be dealing with estate issues after losing a loved one. In these situations, clients want an attorney who will listen. While attorneys may not be able to understand exactly what the client is experiencing, at the very least the attorney can try. Clients then want and need their options explained to them in a realistic manner. Clients want to trust your advice. Serving as a counselor at law is an integral part of an attorney’s day-to-day and it is a role that some clients value most.

Enhancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Our Legal Community

The Greater Dayton Area Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Legal Roundtable strives to strengthen Dayton’s legal community by promoting efforts to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion. The Legal Roundtable’s 2021 initiatives are described below. Each has met with great success in recent years benefitting diverse law students and participating attorneys and judges.

Mentoring Program – January – April 2021

On Thursday, January 21, the Legal Roundtable/University of Dayton School of Law kicked off its second year for the Diverse Mentoring Program via a Zoom conference where mentors and mentees met and became acquainted. Twenty-one mentoring pairs are participating in this year’s program which will continue through April. This is an increase from the 18 pairs that participated in last year’s program (which was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The February mentoring topic was Professional and Personal Branding. We look forward to a great mentoring program and thank all those who are participating. Cori Haper (Cori.Haper@ThompsonHine.com and Zion Savory (savoryz1@udayton.edu) are co-leads of the program.

Mock Interview Program – January 30, 2021

The Roundtable, in conjunction with the University of Dayton Black Law Student Association, conducted the 2021 “Mock Interview” program virtually on Saturday, January 30. Although virtual, the session was very interactive, providing students with simulated job interviews and immediate, substantive feedback. Students from the University of Akron School of Law and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law also participated. Students have found the experience rewarding, as have the attorneys and judges who have participated in the past.

Diversity Clerkship Program – Summer 2021

The Diversity Clerkship program is open to both rising 2Ls and rising 3Ls. We are reaching out to law students throughout Ohio to apply for positions. The Roundtable will refer candidates to participating firms, courts, and offices, based on the organization’s preferences. Thank you to returning participants, Wright & Schulte, Thompson Hine, the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office, the Dayton Municipal Court, and the U.S. Federal District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, and welcome to new participants, Faruki+ and Legal Aid of Western Ohio. Once again, Julius Carter will be funding a student’s clerkship. We encourage your firm, office, and/or organization to join or financially support the Diversity Clerkship program. If you are interested in participating or would like further information, please contact Jamar King (Jamar.King@ThompsonHine.com or Ebony Davenport (davenporte1@udayton.edu)

Membership Meetings

Meetings of the Greater Dayton Area Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Legal Roundtable (currently virtual) are open to all legal professionals and law students. A virtual meeting of the Roundtable is being planned for May 4. All those on the Roundtable mailing list will receive a notice regarding the meeting. For more information or to be added to the Roundtable mailing list, please contact: Ellen.Geron@ThompsonHine.com.