Just Another Bankruptcy Lawyer?

The practice of law always has been highly competitive.  However, as more enter the profession and as attorney jobs become more scarce, more lawyers are hanging out their shingles and attempting to attract clients.  Depending upon the area of practice chosen, a lawyer may choose to market his services through television advertising, billboards or more traditional print media.  Almost all lawyers now are vying for position on the most-used Internet search engines.

But the key to successful marketing of legal services is the same as it always has been, and that is in the quality of the legal services being delivered to real clients.  Although there are a more good lawyers looking for clients than there are good clients looking for lawyers, the attorney who distinguishes himself by the quality of the overall service he provides to his clients usually ends up with best clientele.  And that means the successful lawyer must be something more than a good legal technician.

I always have obsessed over my clients, even as a young attorney just starting out.  I used to consider this preoccupation to be a weakness, because it often caused me to lose sleep at night, and it continues to interfere with my ability to engage in casual social conversation.  But the truth is that if I was not so concerned about my clients and their well being, I would not be the lawyer that I am.  And the fact that I care as much about my clients' financial health as they do, themselves, makes me a lot more than just another bankruptcy lawyer.

My concern for my clients extends beyond the final Order of Discharge in their cases.  I want to see them back on firm financial footing, and I have taken steps to make available to them the services of other professionals to help in areas in which I cannot.  I want my clients not only to be able to keep their homes and cars, I want them to be able to afford them, as well.

As a result of the care and concern that I have demonstrated in my practice, I have been honored by attorney and client rating services with the highest marks available (see my listing on lawyers.com and in Martindale Hubbell).  And I am proud of achieving that accomplishment.

Whenever anyone is looking for a lawyer to help in a financial crisis, it is important to remember that the best lawyer for the job is not always the one with the best website, best TV commercial, best billboard, or the best fancy office.  Look for a competent lawyer that cares about you and your finances as much as you do.  You deserve more than just another bankruptcy lawyer.

Knowing When to Shut Up

It's been a while since I have written anything here, and not because I haven't had something to say.  It's just that one of the benefits of becoming a "senior citizen" (other than qualifying for discounts) is that I have lived long enough to have learned the wisdom of restraint of pen and mouth - at least most of the time.

When it occurred to me to post a new entry on my blog, I intended to bemoan the difficulties of dealing with adversity vicariously.  You know, when bad things are happening to those around you about whom you care.  As I mentally began composing my lamentation, I realized that I was just climbing aboard my pity pot.  Poor me.  Bad stuff is happening to people I care about.

Truth is, it is difficult to maintain a positive outlook when those you care about are hurting.  The feeling of helplessness sometimes is overwhelming, and for me, it usually is accompanied by anger.  The important thing that I must always remember is that it is OK to be upset when people I love are facing adversity.  But I should also acknowledge the fact that, in most cases, all I can do is be present and supportive as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Mostly though, I need to remember to keep my whining mouth shut.