How do horrible people get lawyers? - Page 3

Amneris · 07-24-2012, 08:26 AM

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Originally Posted by claudine19

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Originally Posted by Amneris

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Originally Posted by Springcurl

Don't forget that there are lawyers and there are those who are litigators. Granted, some of the litigators I have known have really been smarmy. But there are also housing lawyers, lawyers who work on human rights cases, lawyers clerk for supreme court justices, etc. I've known some really great lawyers who do nothing but work for family court.

Absolutely - and those who do poverty/street law, or work for NGOs and charities, or give up lucrative offers to help others, or open their own shops and work their tails off, or don't even practice law but do some other kind of advocacy, or mediation, or policy work, or teach law, or do solely legal aid work, or do a ton of pro bono work, or lobby for legal reform, or draft and translate legislation, or work for unions, and so on.

I think some of the comments are based on big, wealthy, private law firms, which certainly don't represent all lawyers.

Or small town, independent lawyers, who are by no means rolling in dough and clients, yet still manage to prove that 30% rule.

What makes you say they lacked humanity? Just curious.

claudine19 · 07-24-2012, 10:43 AM

It's not that they lacked it entirely; they just seemed to have less of it than most others, I've found. They see a job to be done --- collection, perhaps --- and the befuddlement and anguish of an old woman who may have been taken advantage of by her adult children troubles them not at all. Sue her silly? Prepare the paperwork, minions. Oh, and by the way, how about if I (as employer) make a crack about your salary, just to remind you who is in control here, while you get that paperwork done (this did not happen to me, but to a co-worker)? And never mind that I have an ad out for your replacement at a cheaper rate without your knowledge........sure, why not? What's that? You say you've been here almost a decade and there's no reason to fire you? Power, my friend. The exercise of power is reason enough. (Again: saw it happen.)

Or, the sudden, unexpected death of a colleague who sent a lot of work their way and was quite friendly and well liked earns not even a card, not even a call, not even a word of regret.......just a shrug, and then a change of subject. This occurred in two cases.

I could go on, but why bother? Lawyers play an important role in our society, but liking or respecting them isn't part of the client contract. They know they're signing up for vilification when they earn their J.D.

I quite like my own lawyer, btw. Great guy --- hope he's around forever.

Amneris · 07-24-2012, 10:50 AM

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Originally Posted by claudine19

It's not that they lacked it entirely; they just seemed to have less of it than most others, I've found. They see a job to be done --- collection, perhaps --- and the befuddlement and anguish of an old woman who may have been taken advantage of by her adult children troubles them not at all. Sue her silly? Prepare the paperwork, minions. Oh, and by the way, how about if I (as employer) make a crack about your salary, just to remind you who is in control here, while you get that paperwork done (this did not happen to me, but to a co-worker)? And never mind that I have an ad out for your replacement at a cheaper rate without your knowledge........sure, why not? What's that? You say you've been here almost a decade and there's no reason to fire you? Power, my friend. The exercise of power is reason enough. (Again: saw it happen.)

Or, the sudden, unexpected death of a colleague who sent a lot of work their way and was quite friendly and well liked earns not even a card, not even a call, not even a word of regret.......just a shrug, and then a change of subject. This occurred in two cases.

I could go on, but why bother? Lawyers play an important role in our society, but liking or respecting them isn't part of the client contract. They know they're signing up for vilification when they earn their J.D.

I quite like my own lawyer, btw. Great guy --- hope he's around forever.

I never thought I was "signing up for vilification" when I earned my JD. I worked so hard for it. To me, it was always a calling, and a responsibility, and a service that people really need and that is very much respected in my family and community.

I agree though that those lawyers you experienced sound like a real nightmare to deal with and their actions certainly do leave the impression of a lack of humanity.

And most people like their own lawyer - strange, isn't it?

claudine19 · 07-24-2012, 11:06 AM

I think you have a very different mindset from many other lawyers, A. Or perhaps, from a large percentage of lawyers. I really admired my old boss, and like I said, I like my own lawyer quite a lot. LoloDSM, a member here, is/was a great favorite of mine.

There's good and bad in every profession. I think one just sees it more easily in lawyers --- litigators --- because they're out there, kicking up the fuss they're paid for.

spiderlashes5000 · 07-24-2012, 11:24 AM

How about a spinoff: how do people get horrible lawyers?

I am a person and my lawyer is horrible.

She has me literally crying the blues bc she is losing my divorce case badly.

I cannot fire her bc I've already paid her and also bc my hope is to finalize the divorce during one of my upcoming courtdates (pre-trial and motion to compel) and there isn't enough time to hire someone else and get that person up to speed.

claudine19 · 07-24-2012, 11:34 AM

I've heard of this happening, too.

Sorry you're going through that.

Amneris · 07-24-2012, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

How about a spinoff: how do people get horrible lawyers?

I am a person and my lawyer is horrible.

She has me literally crying the blues bc she is losing my divorce case badly.

I cannot fire her bc I've already paid her and also bc my hope is to finalize the divorce during one of my upcoming courtdates (pre-trial and motion to compel) and there isn't enough time to hire someone else and get that person up to speed.

Spidey, without knowing all the details, or how your lawyer is losing your case or why you think that, here are my thoughts.

Difficulties between lawyers and clients are often communication problems (for which the lawyer takes ultimate responsibility.) Have you ever discussed with your lawyer what it is you hope for from the divorce and what is most important to you? Perhaps she is wrongly assuming you have different priorities than you actually do. It may not be too late to sit down with her and be very frank about what you are unhappy about in her representation of you.

Also, if it turns out that you can't repair your relationship, it may be worth firing your lawyer, forfeiting the money spent and adjourning the case to a later date to have results you are satisfied with via a different lawyer. Is saving money and getting it done quickly your biggest priority? If not, then take your time to deal with this properly. If your lawyer is from a firm or practise with other lawyers, you may not even have to do that because they may be able to assign you someone else.

If you feel that your lawyer's conduct is incompetent, you may be able to file a complaint with your state's bar association.

Po · 07-24-2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

How about a spinoff: how do people get horrible lawyers?

I am a person and my lawyer is horrible.

She has me literally crying the blues bc she is losing my divorce case badly.

I cannot fire her bc I've already paid her and also bc my hope is to finalize the divorce during one of my upcoming courtdates (pre-trial and motion to compel) and there isn't enough time to hire someone else and get that person up to speed.

ick. I'm sorry!

My lawyer is an old colleague and I chose him just because I needed someone quick. In the beginning, I thought he friggin sucked, but I realize that he was giving my ex enough rope to hang himself with and it's working one year later.

I agree with Amneris. It's probably a communication problem and that ultimately falls on her. In my case, a lot of it was my fault.

How did you choose her?