Lawyers seem to have a bad reputation among many business people. I think it's unfair because just like any other category of service provider there are going to be great, mediocre, and poor performing professionals and you have to learn how to differentiate among them.
The reason I think lawyers get such a bad rap in particular is due to how much they charge and the way they charge which is, respectively, a lot and sometimes by the phone call.
Typically when you need to hire a lawyer it is for an important matter, thus, as the assumption goes, you are predisposed to paying pretty much whatever it takes to have the problem resolved or fixed to your, or the court's, satisfaction.
However, what I have learned working at higher levels in the business world is that in many instances the best reason for hiring or retaining a particular lawyer is for their relationships.
Time and time again I have seen simple to complex legal disputes solved by a friendly phone call from one lawyer to another. I have also seen incredibly profitable connections made by a lawyer that has many important relationships among his clients.
If you want to meet someone in business, someone that you know would be very difficult to get to otherwise, and, you have cash. Then, you could simply find out which lawfirm or specific lawyer this someone uses and retain a lawyer at the same firm for the express purpose of being introduced to this someone you want to meet.
In matters where you are required to go before a judge, it could be exceptionally beneficial for you to do your homework and find out which lawyers are in front of the judge presiding over your case most often and whether or not that judge shows favoritism towards a particular lawyer.
These activities may seem as if there are ethical lines being blurred or even crossed and that may certainly be the case; however, this is how the game is played so use it to your advantage.
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