Lawyers are people too!
Friday, January 07, 2005
So it seems to me that since I have started law school the people with adversions to and/or issues with lawyers are crawling out of the woodwork. In just the last week I have heard the words; "but [a lawyer] would cost a lot of money," "lawyers are money grubbing bitches," and "the law would screw you." The problem is, even realising that some of these statements were in jest, that they are missing the point of what a lawyer does.
First, yes the fees can get expensive. Although less so if you get your lawyer involved before things get ugly. Lawyers have traditionally been mediators in conflicts, and still today Judges regularly express disappointment that a situation was not resolved before it ended up in court. Think about it, even at $120/hr, conflict resolution will always be less expensive than going through a trial, retaining the lawyer though all proceedings and possible appeals, and risking a loss in court. A personal finance advisor is also expensive, moreso if you go bankrupt. But you don't see people complaining about them.
Second, if you did what a lawyer has to do along the lines of research, preparation, the writing of briefs, filings with the court, etc... and did them under the pressures a lawyer faces (should s/he make a material mistake) you too would charge exorbitant sums of money for your services. You may even think that most lawyers are a bargain by comparison. This goes for everything from writing iron clad wills and contracts to arguing your cause in front of whatever court/board is appropriate at that time. What you are paying for is perfection, to have it done the best it possibly can be done the first time. But hey, if you want Uncle Marty to come back and sue Grandma's estate when he got left out of the will, write it yourself. While it may be cheaper today, you could lose your inheritance tomorrow.
Third, if the other party really doesn't have a claim, there are scads of ways to get yourself out of going to court. The most important of which is hire a lawyer. Again, this will more likely save you more money in the long run than it will cost if you don't.
The things I have discussed here are even simply the tip of the iceburg. If you find a lawyer who cares about the true purpose of his/her job, s/he will no more take you for all you are worth than let your opposition do the same. A lawyer's true job is to make sure that with all the complicated laws there are, and all the sources we have for the law, that you eaither avoid or get your best day in court. This type of lawyer is far more prevelant than the "money grubbing bitch" and chances are s/he is who you are going to hire. I think the reason most of these stereotypes exist today is because good lawyers are only seen when they are needed, they do their job, and then they don't bother you when they are not.
posted by ZEUS @ 2:00 PM,
