The Most Important Aspect of Attorney-Client Relationship

I have had a chance to look back at the last 20 cases I have handled, the results I obtain in representing injured persons, workers in employment and wrongful termination cases, and small business around San Francisco Bay Are and Sacramento, and I have come to a conclusion that might sound obvious to many - I have achieved the best results and enjoyed working the most with clients who I liked as individuals, and who I genuinely enjoyed meeting. 

Legal representation is a rather unique and in many ways intimate relationship. When an attorney meets a potential client, he gets to find out many private facts about his life - his medical history, educational and employment history, his current financial situation, criminal record, etc... If the lawyer is engaged in representation, the attorney and the client will be working closely together over a long period of time. A typical civil claim can take anywhere from 6 months two 2.5 years or longer to resolve, especially if the case is being appealed.

Thus, it is essential that the attorney and the client simply like each other as humans. A client who likes his attorney, will be more reasonable and courteous in his communication with the attorney, and in turn will receive a better representation from a lawyer, who will be more motivated to help a person who, he actually wants to help and see receive great results. 

Don't settle for an attorney who you consider arrogant, grumpy or unreliable/not responsive just because he/she charges less per hour or because his office is located closer to your residence. Make sure you feel comfortable working with the person who represents your interests in a legal matter, even if his hourly rate or contingency fee is a little higher, and even if it takes a few minutes longer to drive to see him. It will pay off in the end.