7 Things Lawyers Do That Annoy Their Clients

I shared this post on another platform a few weeks back and based on the feedback received , I have decided to share on the blog too.

Very often, you hear lawyers complain about their clients and all the many annoying things they do. But as a lawyer, you may never really get feed back from your clients on the annoying things you do. So I went into client mode on this one and have outlined seven things lawyers do that annoy their clients.  Please bear in mind that this list is obviously not exhaustive, and by no means applies to every lawyer.

1. Drafting Long and Complicated Documents 

Yes, the law is complicated and there are many factors to consider when advising a client. However, please master the art of brevity and learn to simplify the law for your clients.

2. Always Talking about the Worst Case Scenario 

Don’t be an eternal pessimist! We know you are trying to manage their expectations but you are scaring them in the process too!

3. Using Legalese 

You don’t always have to use “”wherefore”” or “”allegedly” in every statement you make or write. Please also use Latin maxims sparingly. Not everytime res ipsa loquitur.

4. Ignoring Calls and Emails

Don’t be so hard to reach. Yes, you are the best lawyer in your field and yes you are busy. But some of these clients want to pay you money not sand. Return their calls and respond to their emails.

5. Cutting Conversations Short

Listen to your clients. Stop interrupting when they talk. No, you don’t know what they are going to say. Generally, interrupting people when they are talking is rude.

6. Being a Jack of All Trades

Stop saying you can do it, when you can’t. you are wasting the client’s time and money. Pass it on to a lawyer who can.

7. Acting Like a Know-It-All

Stop being an ITK. You really don’t know everything. You will learn new things if you take some time to farabale*.

*Farable means calm down in Yoruba Language.