Understanding The Client
What is the single most important thing a lawyer should do before giving advice?
What is listen to the client
A cynical lawyer thinks every client does this.
What is lie?
Telling someone to “calm down” usually makes them do this.
What is get more upset?
Clients are more likely to follow your advice when they feel you have this.
What is empathy?
Lawyers must be sympathetic but maintain this essential professional boundary
What is objectivity?
Clients asking for legal solutions also want this
What is reassurance or emotional validation?
Talking to clients in a rude or tired voice shows this.
What is burnout?
Using big words the client doesn’t understand causes this problem.
What is confusion?
Empathy increases this, the psychological currency that makes clients stick with you even when things go wrong.
What is trust?
Over-identifying with a client's perspective can lead to this problematic behavior.
What is losing professional judgment?
If a client looks confused, the best first step is to do this.
What is ask what’s wrong? (emotional intelligence)
When a lawyer assumes a client’s mistake means they’re a bad person, they’re doing this.
What is Judging too quickly
Talking over a client makes them feel this.
What is ignored?
Delivering bad news effectively depends primarily on this emotional skill, not the wording.
What is managing tone or emotional attunement?
Being honest with a client about bad facts fulfills this ethical duty.
What is the duty of candor?
If you don’t understand what a client means, you should do this.
What is ask them to explain it again?
A cynical lawyer might stop paying attention because they think they already know the ending — this is doing what?
What is cutting the client off?
Explaining the law before you know what the client wants leads to this mistake.
What is answering the wrong question?
The real secret to easing someone into hard information is adjusting this—more than the content of your message.
What is your delivery or tone?
Balancing compassion with truthfulness is part of this broader professional obligation.
What is the duty of communication?
Good communication with a client starts with doing this before you give advice
A: What is making sure you understand what they’re actually saying?
Over time, cynicism costs real money because clients quietly do this.
What is take their business elsewhere?
The biggest communication problem is assuming this.
What is thinking the client already understands?
Clients open up faster when they sense you’re actually paying attention to their feelings—not just their facts.
What is showing genuine interest
When a client pushes you to “bend the rules,” the correct move is to respond with this combination of traits.
What is firmness and clarity?