The Good Lawyer – Part 1

Nowadays you can’t drive a block or two without seeing a sign for a law firm. They are (what seems like) in every strip mall in the GTA. We are bombarded with lawyers faces splashed on billboards and transit buses on our morning commutes.

With the legal profession as heavily saturated as it is, it can make picking the right lawyer particularly challenging. Whether you are looking for a lawyer or already have one (and aren’t sure they are doing the job) there are definite qualities you should look for to ensure your legal professional can deliver what you need.

This blog will be a five-part series where each post will explore one quality important in being a great lawyer. Today’s showcased quality is … COMMUNICATION.

Communication, as you may already assume, is a crucial part of being a lawyer. While you may have seen from watching Suits, the Good Wife, Law and Order, or any other law-centered tv show, being able to articulate yourself clearly and effectively is important in a courtroom. What people often forget is that lawyers need to be equally as convincing and clear in their written submissions to the court. What would surprise (and perhaps shock) a lot of people is how many poorly written and edited briefs make it before judges. Trust us, judges find it hard to take you or your case seriously when they are struggling to make sense of your written materials.

So, while you may have met with a lawyer and hired them because they seemed articulate and charismatic in your initial meeting, you need to ensure that they are equally as skilled in drafting the written components of your case. You should demand nothing less from any legal professional you hire to represent you.

We believe first impressions are everything! Whether it be in the form of verbal and written submissions to the court, or through telephone calls and correspondence with opposing counsel – you want a lawyer that can clearly communicate your case.

Our goal (and what should be the goal of any good lawyer) is to always keep our client in the loop regarding anything and everything written or said on their behalf. We send our draft materials to our clients for final approval, not only so they can see the quality of our work product, but also so that they can offer their input. This generally results in no unforeseen surprises come court day – at least on our end!

Stay tuned for quality number two in weeks to come… (suspenseful, we know).

Robin K. Mann, Associate Lawyer