Seth Godin's blog yesterday is particularly relevant to an inevitable moment between lawyers and clients, particularly in something like appellate law or criminal defense. Whenever you are in the position of helper to people who are going through crisis, often you are the lightening rod. The justice system is feels nameless and faceless to your client. While only a small percentage of your cases is on a lawyer's front burner at any particular time, every client's case is constantly on that client's front burner. Often, the lawyer is the only piece of the machine of justice with which the client can interact. Bottom line: get ready to be the object of rage. You can argue or defend yourself, but Godin point out that the best thing to do is simply acknowledge the rage. It will make the relationship stronger at a point where it might appear that your client hates you.
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