Spring is about to spring, and evvvvvveryone wants attention

[miladygrey]

Dear clients, let me explain you a thing for what I swear is the eighty-fifth time. You are not Aveline's only client. She currently has over 80 cases, three of which have major all-day hearings coming up in the next three weeks, and she is working her tail off trying to get everything done while keeping up with a myriad of other details. Demanding spur-of-the-moment meetings, setting time limits on how long you'll wait to talk to her before "taking action myself" (that was a threat, sir, and I read it as such), and whining that you wanted more support from your attorney will avail you nothing.

Dear one client in particular, do you know when the best time to suddenly discover a hundred extra pages of documentation and records that you want to enter into evidence is? Hint, it's NOT the night before your big hearing.

And, dear ex-client, you have the right to representation of your choosing. You have the right to decide Aveline is not the attorney for you, and the right to terminate your agreement with her and seek a new lawyer. You also have the right to bitch about what you didn't like about her representation. However, when you vaguebook rude things about her and another attorney on your case on public social media platforms, you deserve whatever wrath falls down on you. Every single other attorney in your case has worked with Aveline in the past, likes her, and knows she's good. And now, they know you're vindictive and fault-finding, and will treat you accordingly as your case progresses.

I need more coffee. And to sleep for a solid 24 hours. And to go to TN right now.

Reading Log: Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman; The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst; Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman; The Abandoned by Paul Gallico; Nothing Between Us by Roni Loren; Maid of Wonder by Jennifer McGowan; White Trash Zombie Gone Wild by Diana Rowland; A Darkly Beating Heart by Lindsay Smith; Maresi by Maria Turtschaninoff; I Hate Fairyland: Madly Ever After by Skottie Young

Comments

[havocthecat]

Oh, clients. Clients. Do none of them realize that these attorneys don't have an actual adversarial relationship? That they all really end up working together to try to resolve cases in their various clients' best interests, and that a case is a long, involved process of negotiation that will only end up in maybe a trial - which is still a long process of persuasion more than anything else? Taking on a client who's busy trashing someone you've maintained a good business relationship with is just NOT GOOD BUSINESS.

This is why I don't watch legal dramas. I know too much about, not just the law, but about the behind-the-scenes interpersonal stuff.

[miladygrey]

That was something I didn't know before working for Aveline, I was surprised to find out that, with very few exceptions, attorneys have courteous and/or friendly relationships with each other and would much rather negotiate a settlement than clash in Court with binders of evidence.

The ex-client is in a bad place right now (really sad case), but it doesn't excuse what they said/implied about Aveline and the other attorney. I don't hope they lose...but I hope the Judge has a word with them about adult behavior. Preferably at length and on the record.

[havocthecat]

To be fair, I think most people don't realize it. I blame courtroom dramas. They really love amping up the drama when it's just usually...not.

(Though I did love the one time an attorney stopped a deposition when a client admitted to something extremely damaging. That case got referred to outside counsel for settlement within about 24 hours. It was amazing listening to him talk about that one after the fact. I wish I could talk details.)