The Compleat Lawyer Fall 1997 copyright American Bar Association. All rights reserved. The business basics of a law practice are really very simple.
Many jurisdictions have rules of professional conduct that compel arbitration of fee disputes.
These proceedings often are binding on the lawyer and not binding for the client. If the client is not satisfied with the arbitration results, the client has the right to file a de novo proceeding. A written fee agreement, properly discussed with and explained to the client at the very first meeting, is a marvelous tool to sell a lawyer s skills and to explain the business nature of the prospective relationship. Failure of either party to keep their part of the bargain will cause the attorney-client relationship to deteriorate. Another way to improve the communication process is for the lawyer to keep the client informed of everything that is happening in the matter and what is expected to happen in the future.