Unfortunately, many stereotypes about lawyers are true. We as lawyers owe it to ourselves and the profession to debunk these stereotypes whenever possible.
You might be a lawyer stereotype if….
You think that always being “right” (even at home) makes you a good lawyer.
You care more about money than what your client is going through.
You make things more complicated to justify billing more hours.
You measure your success by the number of hours you bill.
You think the solution to most problems is suing someone.
You get more clients from advertising than from referrals.
You tell people you’re a lawyer without being asked.
You use big words when small ones will do.
You work weekends and brag about it.
You constantly send CYA emails.
It is no surprise that a lot of people don’t like lawyers. A lawyer who exhibits these behaviors is probably not very likable, not easy to work with, and may not be trustworthy.
For clients, there is one characteristic that trumps all others when it comes to lawyers, trust. If a person doesn’t trust you, they will never be your client. People must trust that you will do a good job and that you will treat them well. Almost every lawyer stereotype erodes trust – trust in the profession, trust the judicial system, and trust in us as individual lawyers.
Since these stereotypes occupy a large part of the public’s mind share, it is very easy to stand out from the crowd of lawyers who act this way. Simply avoid doing these things by making an intentional effort not to embody these traits.
Conversely, whenever possible embody traits that create and reinforce trust. This can be achieved through regular open communication, fair and transparent billing practices, making recommendations that benefit your client, but might result in you earning less money, being honest if you make a mistake, charging less than you estimated, and always delivering more (or sooner) than you promised.
If we lead with professionalism and put our clients first, we as lawyers will have more clients and opportunities than we can handle. This approach probably applies to most professions and businesses, but it is especially important in the profession of law. Together we can elevate the profession and the experience of those we serve. Worst case scenario, we will simply stand out from those stereotypical lawyers who just don’t get it.