If you haven't done so recently, it certainly won't hurt you to go back over these rules. Be Candid with Clients Malpractice claims frequently arise from uninformed clients whose frustration at their lack of contact with their lawyer is topped off by an unexpected and disappointing result. Clients who have been kept informed of and consulted where necessary about all developments have a feeling of participation and partnership with their lawyers that makes it difficult for many to focus blame solely upon the lawyer when the outcome is disappointing. Do not create unreasonable expectations on the part of clients. One of the most difficult situations that confronts a lawyer is dealing with clients whose lofty expectations have been dampened by the results counsel's legal services have wrought.
Unhappy clients are the fertilizer from which malpractice claims sprout.
Remember, hyperbole can lead to hysteria, and dissatisfaction on the part of a client can lead to hurt for the lawyer. Such favor is rarely long-lived. Provide a balanced assessment of the merits of a client's cause after having obtained all of the facts necessary to make an informed decision. Let the client know if developments require a change in your assessment. Be absolutely candid with a client.