why is the attorney-client relationship so important?

by Lambert Kuhn 7 min read

The attorney-client relationship in family law cases provides a foundation for the tenor of your case, and working with your attorney to develop a trusting rapport can better help you achieve your overall goals. Leslie Lorenzano is an Indiana family law attorney with the firm Cordell & Cordell.

A: Attorney/client privilege defines the confidential relationship between a client, or prospective client, and his or her lawyer. It's deeply rooted in the concept of trust and the idea that a client confronting a legal issue should be able to fully and completely trust the lawyer whose advice they are seeking.

Full Answer

What is the relationship between a lawyer and his client?

Important Factors. When it comes to attorney-client relationships, there are two major factors that are important: trust and accessibility. Trust is important because clients need to know that their attorney not only has their best interests at heart but also will not reveal the information that they’re sharing in confidence. This is really important because a client needs to be able to …

What are the duties of a lawyer?

Feb 21, 2018 · Introduction. The attorney-client privilege protects communications between lawyers and clients when those communications are part of the lawyer providing legal services. The privilege allows the client to speak honestly with the attorney so the attorney can provide the best legal services. Without the privilege, clients may be unwilling to share critical …

When does a lawyer owe a duty to a former client?

During your case, the attorney-client relationship and maintaining continuous communication is extremely important. Your attorney is your liaison to the court, opposing counsel and possible expert or lay witnesses in your case. There are several things to keep in mind when working with your attorney to maximize the productivity of your attorney-client relationship: How to …

When can a client hold an attorney liable or accountable?

Two factors are particularly important in an attorney-client relationship: trust and accessibility. Trust is important because clients need to know that their attorney not only has their best interests at heart, but also that their attorney will not reveal the information that that they’re sharing in confidence.

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Why is the lawyer client relationship important?

If a client doesn't trust his or her attorney, it's going to make preparation of a successful defense a lot more difficult. Additionally, an attorney should be available to speak with a client whenever the client has questions. A lot of attorneys are very busy, and sometimes it is difficult to reach your attorney.

Why is attorney-client privilege so important?

It prevents a lawyer from being compelled to testify against his/her client. The purpose underlying this privilege is to ensure that clients receive accurate and competent legal advice by encouraging full disclosure to their lawyer without fear that the information will be revealed to others.

How do you maintain the good relationship between the attorney and the client?

Here are a few simple rules to follow for maintaining positive client relationships:
  1. #1 Treat each client as if they are your only client. ...
  2. #2 Talk about goals. ...
  3. #3 Take an interest in a client as a person, not just a case. ...
  4. #4 Be prepared. ...
  5. #5 Keep in touch. ...
  6. #6 Meet deadlines. ...
  7. #7 Encourage honesty. ...
  8. #8 Be on their side.
Feb 1, 2018

What are the elements necessary to establish an attorney-client relationship?

The establishment of the attorney-client relationship involves two elements: a person seeks advice or assistance from an attorney; and the attorney appears to give, agrees to give or gives the advice or assistance.

Are emails subject to attorney-client privilege?

Emailed correspondence between attorney and client is privileged. However, the client can take some actions which will waive this attorney client privilege.Apr 28, 2021

Do lawyers have client confidentiality?

The attorney-client privilege is a rule that protects the confidentiality of communications between lawyers and clients. Under the rule, attorneys may not divulge their clients' secrets, nor may others force them to.

What is the lawyer client relationship?

Lawyers have a fiduciary obligation to their clients and must be honest and candid with the client and act in good faith to advance their client's best interests. Similar to the relationship between doctors and patients, lawyers have a duty of confidentiality towards their clients.Oct 15, 2020

How do lawyers build relationships?

  1. Build a Strong Relationship: Communication and Trust from the Start.
  2. Time the Establishment of the Relationship Appropriately: Involve Outside Attorneys as Early as Practical.
  3. Train and Educate Your Clients to Help You Help Them.
  4. Capitalize on Value That Outside Attorneys Contribute to Your Organization.
  5. Conclusion.

How do lawyers manage client expectations?

Manage expectations

If you oversell your services or the likely outcome at the beginning, you risk losing the client's confidence down the track when things don't go to plan. Give clear and candid advice and be confident but realistic about the possible outcomes and costs involved in the matter.
Oct 29, 2013

What are the three basic ways an attorney-client relationship can commence?

As one Massachusetts court put it: “an attorney-client relationship may be implied 'when (1) a person seeks advice or assistance from an attorney, (2) the advice or assistance sought pertains to matters within the attorney's professional competence, and (3) the attorney expressly or impliedly agrees to give or actually ...

What are some of the important things that an attorney should do when first considering representation of a client?

In order to determine whether an attorney may represent a potential new client or an existing client in a new matter, the attorney must (1) identify the client; (2) determine whether a conflict exists; (3) decide if representation could be undertaken despite the conflict; and, (4) get consent from all clients involved ...Jan 31, 2008

What are the four responsibilities of lawyers?

It describes the sources and broad definitions of lawyers' four responsibilities: duties to clients and stakeholders; duties to the legal system; duties to one's own institution; and duties to the broader society.Nov 25, 2014

How to build trust with an attorney?

The trust you build with your attorney will help you both proceed through your case effectively. If issues arise, you need to feel comfortable contacting your attorney about them — even if you were in the wrong. Similarly, your attorney needs to be able to trust that you will respect his or her legal advice and constructive feedback on any legal situation. Mutual respect and clear communication will help with this immensely. Your attorney is there to assist you through what is surely to be an emotional and frustrating event in your life, and your attorney will be best equipped to do this if you two can engage in honest, respectful communications with each other. Your attorney wants to advocate effectively for you and your goals, so keep this in mind even when case events don’t necessarily go the way you wish they would.

Can you contact your ex's attorney?

During your case, you may also have contact with your ex’s attorney at settlement conferences, mediations or hearings. Other than these case events when your counsel is also present, opposing counsel in many jurisdictions cannot communicate with you directly if you are represented by an attorney. Thus, you won’t be fielding phone calls or emails directly from your ex’s attorney unless you are not represented. That being said, it’s important to keep a few items in mind when you do have to interact with the opposing counsel:

Who is Leslie Lorenzano?

Leslie Lorenzano is an Indiana family law attorney with the firm Cordell & Cordell. She holds degrees from Purdue University and the University of Arizona Rogers College of Law. She is licensed in Indiana and also practices in the US District Court Southern Indiana District. She is a member of the Indiana Bar and the ISBA Young Lawyers Section.

Important Factors To Consider When Meeting An Attorney

Two factors are particularly important in an attorney-client relationship: trust and accessibility.

Building an Attorney-Client Relationship

For me, the first step in building a strong attorney-client relationship is good communication. I’m extremely straightforward with my clients. I set out clearly what their expectations should be of me and what my expectations will be going forward in our professional relationship.

Importance of Trust in Criminal Defense

Trust between a criminal defense attorney and a client is incredibly important. For one thing, open communication from the client ensures that the attorney can get the clearest picture of what happened in the case and therefore what defenses to build.

The Attorney Client Privilege

What is it? Honesty and openness. Those two things, like any other relationship, is what the attorney client relationship is founded upon. I couldn’t sit here and write about the attorney client relationship without mentioning the attorney client privilege. The attorney client privilege is at the heart of the relationship.

What Do I Expect From My Clients? And Them From Me?

All legal theories, professional rules, and law aside, I have certain expectations from all of my clients. Like I said before, I want them all to be open and honest with me about their past criminal histories and their current case. I can’t be forced to testify against you.

Summary

The attorney client relationship is built on honest and openness. The attorney client privilege has been recognized by the law for centuries. This privilege protects any communications between you and I about your case.

Attorney-Client Relationship

The Supreme Court has long held attorneys to stringent standards of loyalty and fairness with respect to their clients. In 1850, the Supreme Court stated:

Pennslyvania Supreme Court

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that an attorney's subsequent representation of a client, whose interests were materially adverse to a former client in a matter substantially related to that in which he or she represented the former client, was an impermissible conflict of interest, giving rise to breach of a fiduciary duty.

Restatements of the Law Governing Lawyers

A duty to avoid conflicts of interest may be found in the proposed Restatements of the Law Governing Lawyers Comment c to section 72 which states:

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