Are you wondering if all lawyers are created equal? Before I got into the legal industry around four years ago, I didn’t know much about lawyers. I assumed they were all highly motivated, intelligent, expensive, and had all the answers.

I assumed that lawyers were created equal. If they passed law school and the bar, they must be good, right?

When it comes to choosing a lawyer, it’s important to understand that not all lawyers are created equal. There are good lawyers and there are bad lawyers, and it’s important to choose wisely to ensure the best outcome for your legal needs. So, what exactly is the difference between a great lawyer and a terrible one?

A good lawyer is one who has a strong track record of success, is well-versed in the law and its complexities, is professional and ethical, and has excellent communication and negotiation skills.

They are also known for their attention to detail and ability to think critically, which helps them identify and address any potential legal issues before they become problems.

Knowledgeable about the court system

Good lawyers are also very knowledgeable about the court system, and they understand how to navigate it effectively. They work hard to protect their client’s rights and interests, and they are committed to getting the best possible outcome in every case they handle.

On the other hand, a bad lawyer may be inexperienced, unprofessional, unethical, or simply not well-versed in the law. They may make mistakes that could harm your case or leave you in a worse position than you were in before you hired them.

These bad lawyers may also be slow to respond to your calls or emails, and they may not be very communicative about the status of your case. They may also be more concerned with their own interests and fees, rather than working in your best interest.

It’s important to do your research and choose a lawyer who has the skills, experience, and reputation you need to achieve the best possible outcome. You can check the lawyer’s background, experience, and track record, read reviews from other clients, and get referrals from friends or family members.

You should also ask questions and have an initial consultation to make sure you feel comfortable working with the lawyer and that they are a good fit for your needs.

What are the common mistakes that bad lawyers make?

Bad lawyers often fail to keep their clients informed about the progress of their cases, resulting in frustration and a lack of trust.

They may not properly research and prepare a case, which can result in missed opportunities, lost evidence, or an unfavourable outcome.

Bad lawyers may engage in unethical behaviour, such as lying to the court, concealing evidence, or overcharging clients.

They may exhibit unprofessional behaviour, such as being rude or disrespectful to the court, opposing counsel, or clients.

Bad lawyers may lack the necessary legal knowledge, skills, or experience to effectively represent their clients, resulting in mistakes or ineffective advocacy.

It is important to choose a lawyer who is knowledgeable, experienced, and professional to ensure that your legal matter is handled properly and with the best possible outcome.

The Best Lawyers

I have met some amazing lawyers that are very innovative, and I have met some lawyers that should not be lawyers.

According to the Ontario Law Society’s website, there are over 52,000 lawyer licensees and 9,000 paralegal licensees in Ontario alone! Based on my experience, I would estimate only 20% of lawyers are excellent. That means there may be around 10,400 lawyers in Ontario that are excellent.

I would also estimate that there are around 10,400 lawyers that should probably not be lawyers (the bottom 20%.) This is true of almost every industry.

What are the consequences of hiring a bad lawyer?

Choosing the wrong lawyer can have devastating consequences for a person’s legal matter. A bad lawyer may not have the necessary expertise, skills, or knowledge to competently represent their client, leading to mistakes or inadequate advocacy.

This can result in unfavourable outcomes, such as losing the case, receiving a less favourable settlement, or facing a longer resolution process. Moreover, a bad lawyer may engage in unethical behaviour that makes the situation even worse, such as lying to the court, hiding evidence, or overcharging the client.

Furthermore, working with a bad lawyer can be an extremely frustrating and stressful experience for the client. Bad lawyers often lack proper communication and may not keep their clients informed about the progress of the case, causing confusion and uncertainty. This can also damage the attorney-client relationship and erode trust.

It’s crucial to carefully evaluate the reputation, experience, and professionalism of a lawyer before hiring them to handle a legal matter. By choosing a qualified and trustworthy attorney, individuals can reduce the risks and negative consequences of hiring a bad lawyer.

Are Lawyers Created Equal?

The best lawyers are those that are skilled with legal knowledge and experience AND they are great at managing client communication. Some lawyers cannot even return client emails for some reason.

According to my personal experience, the common problem is that most lawyers fall into one or two categories:

1) They are great at getting clients but not very skilled at legal work. These lawyers resemble salespeople.

2) They are very skilled but are shy to ask for money. These lawyers resemble accountants.

There has been some talk about AI replacing lawyers that create contracts (but not trial lawyers.)

However, employment for lawyers looks positive and is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

As the CEO of ClearWay Law, I spend most of my time trying to find lawyers that are good at communication and are also skilled at legal work.

I also want them to be innovative, as our law firm uses technology to save our clients money and stress. If the lawyer doesn’t know how to drag a folder into the cloud they can find a job elsewhere.

Lawyers Created Equal? No Way!

I just attended SXSW in Austin, Texas because I wanted to spend four days away from lawyers. The event didn’t focus on law but instead on general innovation. I got to hear about AI, big data, and most importantly, entrepreneurship.

I got to ask CEOs of billion-dollar companies how they built the right teams.

The feedback I got was that they were very systematic with their HR. If a staff member did well, they got promoted. If a staff member did poorly, they were shown the door.

When I first started ClearWay Law, I feared any lawyers leaving the firm. This was true regardless of if I fired them or they decided to leave. I didn’t want investors or competitors to see us as unstable. I even kept on lawyers that violated our consulting agreements.

Revolving doors at law firms

At the last firm I worked for, there was a constant “revolving door” of lawyers. They would join the firm and leave a few months after. It was a disaster (I wasn’t in charge of HR.)

But keeping staff and lawyers that are no good because of fear of being abandoned is also toxic. Post-SXSW I have decided I will only keep our top-performing lawyers and staff.

I can always hire an HR manager to constantly be on the lookout for new talent. And to be clear, I am not interested in good employees or lawyers. I am only interested in great ones!

In conclusion, it’s so important to first think about your processes and break them down and then think about how technology can streamline the process, enhance customer experience and deliver profitability.

Don’t rush into anything without doing proper planning first. We hope you found this guide on good and bad lawyers useful.

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The Difference Between Good and Bad Lawyers: Choose Wisely