Most attorneys pay little attention to rapport building. I've had more than one attorney tell me they are running a law practice not a popularity contest. Some even think that having a good relationship with a client is detrimental because it clouds their objectivity. This is short sighted. As competition for clients gets more intense, this kind of attitude will lead to an erosion in their client base.
Competition changes the general perception of the market.
As clients discover they can get excellent legal services provided by amiable attorneys, they will begin demanding both qualities. This is already happening. Thus, rapport building represents an important weapon in your competitive arsenal. When a client first comes to you, there are a number of factors that work against a feeling of rapport. The client is usually uneasy in the first meeting.