Ethics-Governance: Article: http://www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/ethics/janfeb-97-ethics.htm

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http://www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/ethics/janfeb-97-ethics.htm Practical Suggestions to Avoid Problems With Fees by Joy McLean, WSBA Disciplinary Counsel originally published in two parts in Washington State Bar News, January-February 1997. Opinions expressed herein are the author's and are not official or unofficial WSBA positions. This article continues a series on lawyers' fees. Prior articles discussed legal issues. This article suggests some practical ways to avoid problems with fees, and focuses on the formation of the attorney-client relationship. Determine the Extent of Your Client's Experience With Lawyers If the client has never been to a lawyer, discuss how lawyers, as business people, operate. Even if the client has never used legal services before, she or he may have incorrect expectations based on television ads, the experience of a family member, or movies. If the client has previously been to a lawyer, you need to understand what that experience was like for the client so that you can either duplicate it or avoid it. Also, if appropriate, differentiate for the client the type of service you may be rendering from the previous experience. For example, if the client's prior lawyer handled a personal injury case, and you are handling a boundary dispute, explain the differences in fees and projected course of the case. Talk about Fees with Clients Talk to your client about your fees and costs. Do not leave this important aspect of the attorney-client relationship exclusively to staff. Clients are ready to hear about fees, and they want to hear about it in person from you, not by letter or from your assistant. Full Article: http://www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/ethics/janfeb-97-ethics.htm


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