What is the point of your lawyer?

Perhaps a pertinent question in these turbulent times. The traditional answer might be to provide legal advice either on one or two discrete areas as a specialist or across several practice areas as a trusted adviser to the business. The lawyer can then identify the legal issues, advise and ensure that the appropriate strategy is adopted to limit any damage or to shape or influence the path to be taken.

‘Lawyers advise and clients decide’ is certainly true but often clients expect and demand more from their legal advisers than advice alone. Clients tell me they want a lawyer who is prepared to be robust in their appraisal of the situation and not afraid to ask difficult questions; Better now than in court. Also a lawyer who anticipates a problem even before the loss or damage has occurred perhaps through a contract audit. At the end of the day, it is about making the client more financially sound and this involves understanding the client’s business and for the client to see the effect of your advice on their cash flow.

As a client told me recently ‘A lawyer should work with the client right from the start of the business and ideally help prevent any legal difficulties instead of only showing up to solve them’.

How should a good lawyer behave?

Clear, consistent and commercial advice;
Understand the business plan of the client;
Look to develop a long – term relationship and behave accordingly;
Respond quickly, accurately and succinctly;
Anticipate problems wherever possible; and
Share their network to allow you to prosper from their connections*

Does your lawyer tick all of the above boxes?

If you identify any more crucial qualities, or have something on your mind and would like to meet for a coffee, please drop me a line: john@jkwlaw.com


*On the point of sharing my network - please note that I am holding an event at Heeltap, SE1 on Tuesday 20th June to watch the British & Irish Lions’ game against the Chiefs from 8am. There are still some spaces available. Please drop me a line for full details.

Please take a moment to look at some of my recent seminars.
I am happy to discuss a tailored presentation to your organisation.