by Tim Lemieux

Nobody likes to initiate an unpleasant conversation, and many of us will try to delay it or avoid it altogether. That’s just as true for lawyers who have difficult clients, but the consequences for them can be a breakdown of the lawyer/client relationship and a possible malpractice claim (1/3 of all LAWPRO claims are communications-related).

Linda Hazelton’s article “How to Master Difficult Conversations With Clients” acknowledges that some conversations can be tough to have, and gives some strategies on how to go about it. Some of her suggestions include putting yourself in the client’s shoes, rehearsing all the possible outcomes with a friend, and knowing when to put an end to the conversation if it’s going off the rails.

Categories: Communication Errors