During this meeting, the partner should reinforce the firm's commitment to that client and determine what the firm may do to refine or provide better or more effective legal service to that client. The partner should attempt to identify and remove perceived or actual barriers between the client and the firm in order to improve communications and services. Also, this meeting is an excellent opportunity for the partner to obtain insights about the client's needs and to recommend approaches about how the firm may assist the client's executives achieve their objectives. Personal meetings may take 45 minutes to one hour or longer, depending upon the attorney's relationship with the client and issues to be discussed. During the meeting the partner should be sensitive to and respond to clients' non-verbal signals such as body language and facial expressions, as well as to their comments.
Personal meetings are costly.
A partner has to visit the client's office to interview one or more executives. The firm should acknowledge each client response, if its identity is known. Specific responses should be given to those clients who have expressed some concern or have offered constructive suggestions. These responses should explain what the law firm plans to do to address the issues, or why it cannot. This may be done by letter, telephone call or personal interview.