Script A: (Insert answer, but explain the benefits of going
Chapter II – Lawyer on Maiden Practice solo private practice. Discuss about the challenges of
Legal Counselling for Practicing Lawyers
Prepared by:
Genzola, Neil Marvin and
Macalino, Daniel Luis
Arellano University School of Law
Cast:
Daniel Macalino as Harry King; Reporter of ZNN
Niel Genzola as Atty. Niel Genzola; Renowned
Lawyer and Philanthropist
REMINDERS: SPEAK SLOWLY
Harry King (H): Good evening! Welcome to Harry
King Live on ZNN. I am your host Harry King. Join us
as we go beyond the news headlines and get
personal with personalites that makes the news from
around the world.
Joining us tonight is renowned lawyer and
Philanthropist, Atty. Niel Genzola. But before we
interview Atty. Genzola, let us know some facts about
him first. Atty. Genzola graduated as topnotcher in
1990 Philippine Bar. He then became a successful
lawyer for 28 years becoming managing partner of
Genzola, Angara, Drilon Law Offices. The world’s
most powerful law office per Forbes Magazine. He
has recently successfully defended an impeachment
trial against a sitting comelec chair and won an
arbitral award granting the whole Taiwan under
Philippine Jurisdiction. He is also a Philanthropist and
has contributed significantly in reducing hunger to 0%
in the Philippines.
Atty. Genzola, welcome to the program.
Atty. Genzola (A): Pleasure to be here Harry.
H: First, congratulations on your recent success
especially on winning an arbitral award to the
Philippines. How difficult was that case for you?
A: It was easy actually. I found the legal grounds and
the arbitral court had no choice but the side with my
grounds.
H: You are a successful lawyer for 28 years tell us
how did you start your journey as a lawyer?
A: (Insert answer, briefly discuss taking the bar but
focus on 4 career path of a lawyer. Decide that you
chose to set up a law firm)
H: Why did you decide to put a firm even as a young
lawyer?
setting up a new law firm)
H: Forbes magazine rated your office as the most
powerful law firm in the world today. Can you tell us
what are the guidelines in setting up a successful law
office
A: (Insert answer discuss qualities of a good law office
include the need for a library but end by saying that it
is essential to establish trust and rapport with the
client)
H: It appears that lawyers today are earning lots of
money. However, I am confused as to how lawyers
actually earn money. Cases in the Philippines takes
years to finishso if a lawyer gets paid only after cases
are settled I doubt that they survive. How do you
charge your clients?
A: (Discuss about Acceptance Fee, and Appearance
Fee. Discuss how your law office has adopted a
methodical and frank way of charging your clients and
that you make it a point that there are no malicious
hidden charges BUT YOU ALWAYS PROMPT your
clients that there are certain charges that are yet to be
incurred and are contingent on circumstances that
may arise)
H: You have said that your relationship with client is
essential? Can you expound on that? How do you
create a good relationship with your client?
A: (You need to cover these points : Professionalism,
Right to demand payment is based on your contract of
employment with client, Honesty in informing the
client any situation happening in the case – including
delays, Being there for your client, sound advice,
fidelity, honesty and of course winning/competence)
H: Talking about competence, you certainly have built
a career in lawyering. We recently just had new
lawyers take their oath in front of the supreme court.
What are your advice to them?
A: (Discuss how passing the bar actually marks the
beginning of your career, talk about specialization,
benefits of having a specialization look at Part V and
IX of handout)
H: Since passing the bar in 1990, there have been
several laws enacted, how do you keep up with these
new laws.
A: (Discuss MCLE, Subscribing to law journals,
membership in lawyer’s associations Part V of
handout)
H: Any other advice to up and coming lawyers?
A: (Emphasize on lawyer-client relationship, essential
to have a good reputation as a lawyer)

H: As a well-known lawyer, how did you establish the

good reputation you have today

A: (Get answers from part VII)

H: As a boss, how did you turn your law firm to what it

is today

A: (Look for answers at part VI of the handout)

H: Do you think that a lawyer can be successful on his

own?

A: (Ikaw na bahala, pero i suggest na important yung

katrabaho mo and especially yung rapport mo with
clients, also yung standing mo rin sa legal community)

H: Any other advice to new lawyers?

A: (Ikaw na bahala pero pde mo tignan IX ng handout)

H: Thank you for spending some time with us. I will

leave a final note. Today, we are privileged to talk to a
lawyer. Who knows maybe the people listening to this
program will become great lawyers too. But if we
learned something from the talk, we should know that
a lawyer worth his salt is the one who establishes
good relationship with his clients. And on that note,
we conclude our program. I am Harry King. Thank you
and Good evening.