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Forbes Legal Council
Experienced chief legal officers & law firm partners from Forbes Legal Council offer firsthand insights on legal issues.
The relationship between a lawyer and a client is built on trust and communication. But sometimes, lawyers forget the importance of holding up their end of the bargain, which may lead to a lost client and an overall mistrust in the firm’s capabilities.
With this in mind, we asked five chief legal officers and law firm partners from Forbes Legal Council to discuss the ways you can add real value to your client relationships.
From top left to right: Doug Bend, Joshua Lenon, Lawrence Buckfire, Linda R. Evers, Victor Cardona. All photos courtesy of the individual member.
1. Leverage Trusted Referral Partners
When you refer a client to a trusted referral partner, you will add value to your relationship each time they interact. Of course, if you introduce your clients to professionals who are not responsive or who over bill your clients, it will damage your relationship. By making referrals with your client’s best interests in mind, you will add value not only through your work but through the work of others. – Doug Bend, Bend Law Group, PC
2. Be Proactive
Don’t wait for your clients to reach out to you. Be proactive in calling or communicating with them throughout your representation. Even if it’s a simple status report, clients want to hear from their lawyers. – Joshua Lenon, Clio
3. Communicate Regularly With Your Clients
Regular contact with your clients goes a long way in strengthening your relationship. Clients want to know that you are working for them and thinking about their legal matters. If you are litigating a case, many months often go by without a major event. Send your client a short email or have an assistant call them with an update to assure them that you are staying on top of the case. – Lawrence Buckfire, Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C.
