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Attorneys Need to Listen to Clients

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Published by:

James Turner

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Reviewed by:

Alistair Vigier

Last Modified: 2023-03-27

Attorneys need to listen to clients, or they will get bad reviews online. As an attorney, a large part of your job prior to entering the courtroom is to communicate with your clients.

Clients come to you looking for support, your expertise and to have someone to listen to their story. It’s your job to give them what they need and that starts with listening.

Listening is a skill that needs to be practiced and perfected. Most of us listen while we are formulating responses in our heads. This results in only a low level of true listening. As a lawyer, it’s important that you get all the facts before you can provide advice, so listening to what your clients have to say is crucial to building a case.

Most clients seek assistance because they don’t know how to handle their legal situation on their own. Having an advocate working on their behalf can be a true comfort. Your understanding, assurance, and guidance are essential parts of providing the best service for your customers. Making sure to listen to all your client’s needs, fears, and issues is just as crucial to the success of your case.

When you have clients in your office that have suffered trauma, like a car accident, they may be very upset and overwhelmed by their situation. It’s up to lawyers like the experts at Charbonnet law firm to give clients their full attention. Let’s take a closer look at a few ways that you can listen to your clients.

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Attorneys Need to Listen Without Interruption

When you meet your clients for the first time, there are going to be some nerves. It’s best to allow your client to tell you their whole story, without interruption. You may be tempted to have them clarify certain details while they are relating their story, but this type of interruption can cause them to skip crucial steps.

Allow your client to talk as long as they like until the whole story is on the table. You can give encouragement during this initial phase, but it’s best to stay quiet and simply listen.

Many people listen to respond, as opposed to listening to hear. When your clients are talking, you need to pay attention and not be formulating questions or answers in your head. There will be time for clarification after the first telling. Your client will trust you more easily if you are a willing listener that shows interest in their story, their fears, and the anxiety that they are feeling about the situation.

Notes During Clarification

After the first relation of your client’s story, let them know that you have heard what they are saying by clarifying certain points. Now is the time to take notes and go back to details that you need to put more attention to. Have your clients expand on certain aspects of their stories and listen to their responses closely until you have a clear picture of what has happened.

Keep in mind that the more detail you can get from your client, the better you will be able to build their case. This is the time to express to your client that they are in a safe space and that they need not feel like they have to keep anything back.

Remind your clients that every detail that they reveal to you will be kept confidential. Some clients may be hesitant to reveal embarrassing details, so it’s up to you to remain calm and listen intently to every detail of their story.

Don’t be afraid to go over the story that your client has to tell in a number of different ways. The more that you can learn from your clients, the easier it will be for you to understand their thinking, the rationale behind their behaviour and how you can build a strong case in their defence. Repeatedly going over the story can help you to squeeze out important details and open up hidden memories that could be crucial to your case.

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Show Empathy

Clients seek out legal help for both expertise and to have an advocate working on their behalf. Most people are intimidated by the legal system, and it’s up to lawyers to show clients the empathy that they need to comfort them. Never dismiss a client that becomes visibly upset during an initial interview. Rather, show them that their emotions and feelings are important and that you are there to help.

Part of your job as a lawyer is to act as an advocate on behalf of your client. This means that it is up to you to convince them that you are on their side and that you will do everything in your power to protect them under the law. Many people are overwhelmed by the legal system and will feel exposed in a courtroom or legal setting. It’s your job to keep your clients comfortable and let them know that you have their back.

Give Reassurance

 Your clients are likely unfamiliar with how the justice system works and can feel overwhelmed. Your job as their attorney is to reassure them that they are in good hands and that you will follow the law to seek the justice they deserve.

Don’t overwhelm your clients with too much legal jargon. Most people are unfamiliar with the inner workings and language of the law, so keep your interactions with your clients simple and forthright to help your clients gain a clear understanding of their situation.

Hearings, trials, depositions, and attorney meetings can be intimidating for your client. These are serious proceedings that are enough to make the stoutest person nervous. Always give your clients reassurance and act as a strong advocate on their behalf.

Attorneys Need to Listen to Conclusion

Improving your listening skills can help you to become a more effective attorney. Learning to listen to more than the details of a case will help you earn your clients’ trust and gain a deeper understanding of their needs. Clients who feel heard and protected are imperative to your success.

Attorneys need to listen to clients, and if they don’t, clients should leave a negative review for them on our website.

Author: Paul Sebastian

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