Why Clients Don't Ask Lawyers About Their Experience Before Hiring Them:
When it comes to hiring a lawyer, many clients assume that all lawyers are created equal. They trust in the reputation of the law firm and assume that any lawyer from the firm will be competent.
However, this is not always the case, and clients can be taken by surprise when a relatively junior lawyer, with little experience in the subject matter, is handling their case.
Here are some reasons why this happens to clients:
1. Lack of knowledge or understanding about the legal process: Many clients may not fully understand how the legal process works and may not know what questions to ask.
2. Trust in the law firm's reputation: Clients may trust in the reputation of the law firm and assume that any lawyer from the firm will be competent.
3. A belief that more experienced lawyers will oversee and guide the junior lawyers: Clients may assume that more experienced lawyers will oversee and guide the work of the junior lawyers, so they don't ask about the experience of the specific lawyer handling their case.
4. Lack of time or resources to research and compare different lawyers: Clients may not have the time or resources to research and compare different lawyers or law firms.
5. A belief that all lawyers have the same level of expertise and experience: Clients may assume that all lawyers have the same level of expertise and experience, so they don't ask about the experience of the specific lawyer handling their case.
6. Being referred by someone they trust: Clients may be referred to a law firm by someone they trust, and may not feel the need to ask further questions.
7. Being in a difficult or emotional state: Clients may be in a difficult or emotional state and may not think clearly about the hiring process.
8. Not wanting to appear rude or difficult: Clients may not want to appear rude or difficult by asking too many questions.
9. Cost of hiring a lawyer: Clients may assume that the cheapest option is the best option, and may not ask about the experience of the specific lawyer handling their case.
10. Not wanting to take the time to interview multiple lawyers: Clients may not want to take the time to interview multiple lawyers and compare them.
It's important for clients to understand that not all lawyers have the same level of expertise and experience. Before hiring a lawyer, it's essential to ask about their experience and qualifications and research different options.
Even just to ask their first-point-of-contact at the firm (who is often just a 'white label'), "Who will be my actual lawyer? Will you just be supervising that person? How many of this type of case has that lawyer handled during the last 5 years? Can you send me any published cases in which they acted?"
These are essential questions in an era of high settlement. These days even many independent barristers have never done a trial as lead counsel. Without doing due diligence, clients can be surprised the actual lawyer handling their case might be an "L Plater" in the particular area of the law.
Remember the adage, "... the more you know".