The way lawyers do business is changing rapidly, which is obvious to just about every attorney in the business. That may not be news. It is also not news to have non lawyers who do not run an office, seek clients, counsel clients, pay bills, or handle 'bet the company' litigation trying to tell lawyers how to do all of some of those.
Today was no different. A webinar was hosted today by a company that from its site provides services like software to lawyers. The webinar dispense free information to attorneys. Some of it was helpful, some - not so much.
First a little about our office - we have a very diverse clientele. It is not uncommon for us to send emails with updates. For some of the younger, mobile generation, many of those clients only have a cellphone. More than a handful will move at least once during the course of a case that lasts two years or more.
With that being said, here is the first bad advice this company (through a speak) gave in its webinar:
1. Bad advice #1: Don't text with clients. Then later, "Never text message your clients."
In my offices, texts are common but limited in subject matter. When we call on the phone and leave a client a message, it is short. "Please call us when you have time." Same for texts - it is to ask the client to call. We never give advice, or simply remark on a pending case.
We have a policy in place for texts. No one in the office but a law partner may text, and that person may only leave a msg to call us back, or to give an address for a meeting or deposition, or to confirm that the attorney is at a meeting place.
It's overly simplistic that "never" is the rule. It once again shows how non lawyers, without clients - especially injury clients - lack an understanding of how an office operates now.
2. Minimize mobile emailing as well. It's very reactionary..
I'm in court or on the road - a lot. It does take discipline to limit emails. If like me you are in a courthouse, or another office, or on the way to/from either, it's just a way of life to address and prioritize what you may respond to while 'mobile.'
3.Don't answer the phone simply because it's ringing.
I saw this one from the vendor on twitter. It's a head scratcher. May need better context. For a call into my office, I may let it ring to VM. For the office as a whole, they get answered. After 5PM lawyers may answer.
A story - it was after 8 PM one night. A new call came to my cell. I answered. It was one of the most significant cases for us that year, a fellow lawyer who needed help on a legal case (his own) and he was impressed that I took the time not only to answer but to talk for an hour.
My advice - we are all busy. Answer.
Finally, not bad advice, just not sure how real this one is: "Work with a clean desk"
I worked with a clean desk. My first day in the practice of law. Never again since.
