Q: Although I've been practicing law for more than 30 years, and I
think I am quite good at the kind of work I do (specific types of
litigation), I have been feeling increasingly incompetent when it
comes to handling my relationships with clients and, in some cases,
other lawyers - especially since leaving a firm to establish my own
practice. In some cases, clients are not paying me even when I've
done a yeoman's job for them, so I'm necessarily in the process of
cutting my overhead and have built some debt. But my biggest
problem, which has mushroomed, is of not returning clients' calls.
Sidestepping calls means not having to face their complaints,
demands, expressions of stress and anger (which happens less than I
often expect). Then, the longer calls go unanswered, the more I
feel I've failed by ignoring them, which makes it even harder. I am
not late on any necessary legal tasks, filings, etc. But every
client views him or herself as the most important one, and I may
not have answers for them when they call. I certainly know that
this is a bad pattern, and is likely to generate complaints, but
the allure of avoiding many calls can be irresistible.
Advice?
A: You are facing multiple challenges from which you were more
insulated when employed by a firm; for now we will focus on the
issue of delaying calls back to clients. The problem you describe
is all too common, though the particular psychological obstacles
vary from one lawyer to another. As you say, when clients feel
ignored (even though you are actually handling the cases in a
timely enough manner) they are more likely to complain or find
fault.
An outline of some approaches that you may find helpful could
include:
- Reminding yourself daily of the delayed rewards of getting
these calls off your to-do list, and relying on your prefrontal
cortex (the part of your brain that allows you to think through
your decisions) to override the more gut-level immediate rewards of
avoidance (not having to face something that you perceive as
stressful). You could make and post a list.
- Manipulating self-reward contingencies - for example, "I get to
leave the office and have dinner after I've responded to today's
calls" (except when there is a truly good reason to delay).
- Emailing or voice-mailing (by calling when odds are that the
recipient is unavailable) can be a much briefer and more manageable
way to get back to them.
- Initiating contact yourself on a fairly frequent basis,
whenever you've given a case even a tiny bit of attention, so that
clients have a sense that their case is not being neglected.
- Examining and challenging your "automatic thoughts" or
"self-talk." For example, you might (without even noticing it) be
telling yourself, "This client will be angry or lose respect for me
because I have not yet contacted the opposing attorney; this means
I am not doing a good enough job," while a more accurate statement,
which you could practice repeating to yourself might be, "This
client is anxious about the case, and will calm down upon learning
that things are proceeding at a typical pace," or, "If the client
is angry, that is not about me but the situation - they'd like
everything to be done immediately, but that is neither necessary
nor feasible."
- When it becomes financially viable, you may be able to hire
someone to handle some of whatever tasks are not your strong suits
(such as fielding client calls).
All of the above barely scratches the surface. You do not need to
be a perfect businessperson or communicator to keep client
relationships manageable, but you do need to develop an approach
other than avoidance (and more frequent communication will also
help you get paid). You can find a way to do so that is built
around who you genuinely are, and how you tick, that plays to your
strengths and navigates around those functions that come less
easily to you. LCL staff is one of your resources (and at no cost)
in facing the issue and identifying other sources of assistance.
Our affiliated LOMAP program is another.
Questions quoted are either actual letters/emails or
paraphrased and disguised concerns expressed by individuals seeking
assistance from Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. Questions for LCL
may be mailed to LCL, 31 Milk St., Suite 810, Boston, MA 02109 or called in to (617) 482-9600. LCL's
licensed clinicians will respond in confidence. Visit LCL online at
www.lclma.org.