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November 19, 2005
Rule One: Represent Only Clients You Like
Rule One: Represent Only Clients You Like.
As a threshold matter, you cannot deliver true service to a client unless you and your firm "like" your client--and I mean like the client a lot. In the case of companies, "client" here means GCs, clients reps and individual client cultures--or the company's personality. Practicing law the right way and with enthusiasm is hard enough. And as a lawyer, you owe some of the highest personal, professional and business duties imaginable to your clients. If you don't like him, her or it, you should chuck him, her or it--as soon as you ethically and practically can. You will not do good work very long for a client or customer you do not like. If you want to read more, see the August 26 post "What If You Only Represented Clients You Actually Liked?"
Posted by JD Hull at November 19, 2005 07:23 AM
Comments
I guess some clients would never be represented. I guess this is the sacrifice we do for our profession. In Brazil, where I work, a classic case involved a client no lawyer would dare to represent. So, the judge appointed a lawyer. This lawyer didn't agree at all with this client, but for this client he did the best job of his life and became known and respected for this. During all his career he had success and respect and everybody said: he is the counsel who represented that client in that famous case. And you know what? He lost! But won dignity and reputation for having tried as hard as he could.
Posted by: Edsa Mello at November 21, 2007 11:51 PM