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Attorney Tom OlsenLegal Expectations
Attorney Tom Olsen
Because of my radio show, a lot of people are willing to share their different legal experiences with me. As you can imagine, these people fall into two categories: Those who are satisfied with their lawyers and those who are not. I am always a little surprised, but pleased, to hear when people are happy with their legal representation. What does not surprise me anymore is what makes them satisfied clients. Simply put, their lawyers met their expectations, and occasionally exceeded them. So you might be saying, "Tom, the next time I have a legal need, I won't know what to expect." But you can know what to expect and here's how. The next time you need a lawyer, before you hire him or her, ask three simple questions: What can you do for me? How long will it take? and, How much will it cost? I have been a lawyer since 1981 and I can honestly say that, if you get a straightforward answer to these questions, you are on your way to being a satisfied client.
I have been advertising these three questions for several years and they are often asked to me at my initial conference with a prospective client. I then say with a smile "Of course I'll answer those questions for you. After all, I wrote the questions so I should know the answers." I often wonder how many other attorneys are asked these questions because of my publicizing them.
Personally, meeting the client's expectations is my minimum standard. A few years ago, a friend of mine said something to me that has stuck in my head. He said, "Tom, you should always try to under promise and over perform." So when I am answering those three questions for people, I tell them what I know I can to for them, but often I am thinking to myself, "How I can to do it faster or with even better results." With a little luck and the right circumstances, it does happen faster or better. When it does, the client's expression of satisfaction with my services and their promise to recommend me to their friends is the frosting on the cake of a job I love very much.
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