Specifically, the firm promises to communicate with clients regularly and deliver cost-effective service on a timely basis. We will resolve the issue to your satisfaction, even if it means reducing your legal fees. Law Bulletin Publishing Co. An independent market research firm polled 383 legal service users from a sampling of 1,500 Chicago-area companies. Four out of five corporate legal service users said their dissatisfaction is likely to lead them to reduce use of the outside firm or to dismiss the firm. More than half say a written guarantee would positively influence their decision to hire a firm.
Legal ethics prohibit lawyers from making guarantees on the outcome of a case.
Coffield lawyers are quick to point out that their guarantee says clients will be pleased with Coffield's service, no matter how the case turns out. We're just putting our cards on the table. There's no local precedent for Coffield's service guarantee, says David N. Anderson, assistant executive director of the Illinois Bar Assn. However, the bar in Philadelphia had its members sign a pledge to treat clients better, Mr. Anderson adds. A common complaint against lawyers is their failure to communicate with a client.