incomprehensible legalese. Then she gives you a risk assessment of your options to help you make a sound decision. For example, the lawyer may say that one course of action will take longer but will give you a 90 per cent chance of success, whereas the faster option only gives you a 50/50 chance of prevailing. Good lawyers are excellent strategists. Given adequate lead time, they can structure nearly any deal to your advantage. Conversely, if you bring wonderful lawyers into the game after the deal is done, all they can do is damage control. The best defence is a good offence. And don't blindly follow your lawyer's advice. If you don't understand the advice or if you disagree with it, question it. You may be correct and the lawyer may be wrong. Lawyers are every bit as fallible as everyone else.