CHAPTER II

THE LAWYER IN MAIDEN PRACTICE

1. Solo private practice

 Advantage of being his own boss
 Difficulty in attracting good paying clients

2. Assistant or associate in a private law firm

3. Joining a corporate law department

 Offers a high salary, fringe benefits and perks not usually enjoyed from
a private law firm

4. Charting an ideal law office

 Consider essential factors that may be of help in upgrading an ideal law
office

5. Library, equipment, staff, billing

 An ideal law office must a library, this is indispensable
 Should be equipped with clerical requirements
 Billing is second to none in the operation of a law office. No lawyering is
sustainable except from the fees that are paid by clients.

6. How to deal with client

 Frankness and tact
 Business-like approach
 Attorney-client relationship
 Every delay in the outcome of the case, should be explained to the client
 Be there when your clients wants you
 Good human relations, a lot of psychology and tact and diplomacy
 Treat the client with cordiality and compassion, with sincerity and honest
intentions, and with spirit of not giving up

7. Make the client happy and comfortable

 Place the welfare of client and the interest of the smooth administration
of justice above self; by avoiding unnecessary delays; by being always
available
 In fixing the amount of attorney’s fees the following should serve as
guidelines:
a.) The value of litigation involved;
b.) The professional standing of the lawyer in the community;
c.) The difficulty of the issues involved.

8. Sustaining a law practice; specialization

 A new lawyer should strive to maintain their patronage while attracting
some more clients
 It is at this stage that the new lawyer ought to establish a reputation of
professional responsibility and honesty
9. Norms of conduct for successful lawyering
 a.) Remember whom you are working for;
b.) Define the relationship;
c.) Keep in touch;
d.) Keep at least two docketing systems;
e.) Accept phone calls;
f.) Promptly return your phone calls;
g.) Spend time with your staff;
h.) Paper the worlds;
i.) Send out an evaluation sheet.

10. Random criteria for obtaining clients

a.) Reputation for capability as a lawyer 26%;
b.) Reputation for trustworthiness 23%;
c.) Personal acquaintance with lawyer 20%;
d.) Referral by neighbor or friend 13%;
e.) Participation in civic, religious, and community activities 3%;
f.) Referral by another lawyer 2%;
g.) Lawyer’s political activity 1%;
h.) Lawyer’s appearance and conduct in court 1%;
i.) Other reasons 3%.

11. But reputation only come later before clients

12. Find time for speaking engagement
13. How to hold a client
 Giving of sound advice, drafting valid documents, win your client’s cases
by adopting a correct theory and backing of the law that is applicable to
his problem
 Characteristics clients look for outstanding lawyer:
a.) Friendliness
b.) Promptness
c.) Courtesy
d.) Respect for clients
e.) Businesslike attitude
f.) Consideration in keeping clients informed

14. Standards that lawyers expect from clients

a.) Prompt and thorough communication to keep the client fully informed on
the progress of his legal matters
b.) Prompt handling of client’s work
c.) Honest and straightforward dealing with the client, including careful
evaluation of the case, a full explanation of the particular problems and
procedures involved, and a frank and early discussion fees
d.) A courteous and sympathetic attitude toward the client, evidencing a
personal and sincere interest in the client’s problems
e.) Competence and diligence in handling a client’s affairs

15. Look as effective as you are

16. Whether you win or lose case, don’t lose your client