Apr 4, 2011
What I hate about lawyering
We did a good job for that client.
Our firm represented her a few times before the Workers’ Compensation Commission. There was an appeal to the circuit court, and trial was on the calendar. We negotiated a fantastic settlement, submitted it to the commission, and it was approved. The check came in the mail shortly thereafter.
My client didn’t want me to mail it to her (it was a lot), so I offered to drive it to her. I’m an early morning riser, and I arranged to deliver it at 7:30 a.m.
I drove up. Knocked. No answer.
I called her cell. No answer.
I called her home phone. No answer.
This seems to happen at least a couple of times per month. Showing up to see people who don’t show up, and who don’t call me beforehand to let me know they are not going to show up.
Usually it is new clients. Maybe they got a different lawyer; maybe they decided it was too much work to get a lawyer; maybe they just overslept. And, when the appointments are made for my Columbia office, it doesn’t bother me so much. But when I’m making a special trip to someone’s home, or to another office, that’s when it cuts into my time.
My time is no more valuable than anyone else’s. But when someone doesn’t show up, all I can think about is the mound of work I have to do, and the hour detour I just took.
Now, this is nothing like the panic I feel when a client doesn’t show up for trial. I had one recently where I couldn’t get ahold of my client for four days before trial. He didn’t show up for our prep meeting, either. I left about a hundred voicemail messages, and sent letters.
The day of trial, I’m sitting in the court’s parking lot trying to figure out the best way to explain my client’s absence to the judge, and then my client calls. He’s on the road, and wants to know where the court is. Luckily, even with my poor navigation skills, he made it in time, an hour and a half after the docket was called.
This is the most frustrating part of my job. I’ve always been a punctual person. When I have to be in court, I usually show up at least an hour ahead of time, partially because I’m paranoid about traffic and flat tires.
When others are not punctual, I try to be understanding, but it’s really just a slap in the face: “My time is more important than yours, and you don’t even deserve the courtesy of a call.” My problem is that I take it personally, every single time.
Oftentimes, this is an indication of a “problem client.” When someone fails to show up or call once, I may forgive it, but the next appointment is in my Columbia office, where it won’t be a disruption if that person doesn’t come in.
If they don’t show up again, I count my blessings.
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It’s strange that you don’t mention an emergency when describing the possible explanations for the first client not being there (wherever it was, you don’t say). Emergencies do occur. On the other hand, you might be overmatched by some parts of the practice of law. Perhaps you should try something more orderly and predictable, something that doesn’t require dealing with people, such as contract work doing doc review.
I understand your irritation. You have raised an issue that most of us, except perhaps Mr. Pushkin, struggle with on a regular basis. I schedule appointments with many clients expecting them to show up 30 to 90 minutes late. Most of the time they act like nothing is amiss. Sometimes they pretend that they believe the appointment was later (never earlier). I am usually offered the same excuses. I no longer ask them why they are late or let them know that I am irritated. It is not like they will take my complaint to heart and suddenly change their behavior. Maybe I should not be upset when I am sitting at the Commission waiting to be called at the end of the docket for a hearing that was called first but could not start because the client was “trying to find a parking space.” I should take solace that I will earn that huge 10% attorney’s fee on the TT claim, if my client wins an award.
So, did the client ever get the check?
If that’s all you hate about lawyering, you haven’t been practicing long enough.
Also, Pushkin and I need to join forces, perhaps write a Legion Of Doom blog. I’ll be at Red Emma’s in the bitter section.
I think we should start charging for blown appointments. Even if we normally would do something for free, we should be coldly intolerant of riff-raff childish disrespect of the clock and should ship out bills for that chargeable item.
People who take time seriously, whether they make minimum wage or they bill $900/hour, should look down on those whose attitudes towards other people’s time is one of indifference. I for one am tired of making excuses; in the age when maps are available at every internet terminal and cell phones are ubiquitous, people who blow off their attorneys, don’t call, don’t email and don’t apologize I simply regard as irresponsible maggots. This sentiment won’t win me any Bar Association “civility” or “pro bono” awards but I am tired of making excuses for grown adults.
@Pushkin: certainly emergencies occur, but this post is not about emergencies. This is about people who voluntarily or negligently miss appointments without calling. I’m forgiving of emergencies. As far as “overmatched,” I would love the opportunity to shadow a perfect lawyer like you for a day.
@Kevin Wise: Thanks!
@Marcelle Green: Post-script: the client did get the check. Because I’m a big softy, when she called afterward and was very apologetic, I agreed to deliver it one more time. When I showed up at her house, she was not there. She called–she was about 30 minutes away. I gave her the choice–I’d drop it off at her house, or I’d mail it to her. So, she got the check.
@isolde: Agree with Legion of Doom blog. I’ll be a regular reader. No-shows are not my only problem with lawyering, just my biggest pet peeve. Notwithstanding my complaints, this is the best job ever.