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Many people think of lawyers as cold and calculating, only interested in winning. While it is true that successful lawyers must be able to advocate for their clients and fight hard in court, what many people don’t realize is that a good lawyer is also someone who can effectively educate their clients and stakeholders.
There are many ways in which lawyers can better educate their clients and stakeholders. Some of these include:
Creating A Peer-Learning Environment
One of the most important tasks for lawyers aiming to educate their clients and stakeholders is to create a peer-learning environment. This means that lawyers should provide their clients with opportunities to interact with and learn from other clients. This can be done by hosting events such as seminars and workshops or by setting up online peer groups where clients can ask questions and learn from each other’s experiences.
For example, a lawyer who represents clients in the construction industry may host a seminar on construction law, giving clients a chance to learn about how the latest legal changes will affect their businesses. Alternatively, the lawyer could set up an online forum where clients can ask questions and share information with each other. Either way, the lawyer is providing their clients with an opportunity to learn from each other, educating them in a more comprehensive way than if they were just learning from the lawyer.
Create A Sense Of Safety
Another great technique for lawyers wanting to educate their clients is fostering a sense of safety in their interactions. This involves the lawyer making their clients feel confident and comfortable when discussing sensitive issues.
Some ways in which lawyers can instill their clients’ feelings of safety include using empathy, compassion, and understanding. For example, rather than coming across as judgmental or condescending, a lawyer should try to see things from the clients’ perspectives and understand their feelings. This will ensure that clients feel more comfortable discussing their cases with the lawyer, and, as a result, they will be more likely to learn from the experience.
Solve Real Problems
A good lawyer is also someone who can solve their clients’ problems, so the lawyer must be knowledgeable and experienced in their field. They should be able to provide clients with practical solutions.
For example, a lawyer who represents clients in the real estate industry should be able to solve problems such as title disputes, boundary issues, and zoning problems. Alternatively, a lawyer who represents clients in the family law arena should be able to address child custody and visitation issues. Regardless of the field, lawyer should be able to provide their clients with practical solutions to their problems.
Stay Positive
Finally, a good lawyer is able to stay positive throughout the duration of a case, remaining confident, optimistic, and focused, even during difficult times. Positivity can be especially important when dealing with clients who are experiencing great deals of stress or anxiety.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many approaches and techniques available to lawyers wanting to educate their clients and stakeholders. By creating a peer-learning environment, fostering a sense of safety, solving real problems, and staying positive, lawyers can provide their clients with the education they need to make informed decisions about their cases. If you are a lawyer looking for ways to improve your practice, consider implementing some of these strategies. Your clients will thank you for it!
For more information on how lawyers can educate their clients and stakeholders, be sure to check out Season 4, Episode 9 of the Notes to My (Legal) Self podcast with Beth Colombo.
Olga V. Mack is the CEO of Parley Pro, a next-generation contract management company that has pioneered online negotiation technology. Olga embraces legal innovation and had dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law. She is convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than before by embracing technology. Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. She founded the Women Serve on Boards movement that advocates for women to participate on corporate boards of Fortune 500 companies. She authored Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat and Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security. You can follow Olga on Twitter @olgavmack.
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