A review of An Appeal to Reason

If you are interested in what trial lawyers have to say about my book, check out Mitch Jackson's video review  

Mitch is one of the trial lawyers around and I think I know why.  First, he is interested in people and cares about what happens to them.  This week I received a phone call from a potential client, who complained bitterly about his attorney.  His complaints were not so much about the attorney's trial performance.  No, they were about how this client felt when he worked with his attorney.  For instance, the attorney seemed unfamiliar with his case and had to ask basic questions, including what the client did for a living.  The client believed the attorney was not unprepared and was just going through the motions.  Rather than being relieved to have a legal representative, the man seemed nervous about trusting his own attorney.  Mitch and I have talked about his cases, and it seems obvious that he cares about his client.

Second, Mitch is always open to improving and learning.  That means being open to working with an appellate attorney as part of his team.  I have to admit, sometimes I feel like I am in a battle with trial counsel.  Perhaps the trial attorney doesn't want another attorney analyzing his or her performance, or feels that as the trial attorney, he or she got the job done and an appeal is just another hoop to go through before getting paid.  The appellate attorney is not looking for ways to criticize the trial attorney; they must work together as a team.

Mitch is also putting himself out there in the new age of social media.  I have talked to many attorneys who are so resistant to having a web site, a Facebook account, Twitter, or even the new Google +.  They are unapologetic about their insistence on old technology.  I tell these attorneys that most of my clients have viewed my web site and read my blog long before they come in to see me.  In fact, I believe if an attorney doesn't have some presence on the Internet, they just might lose credibility, unless the potential client is also one who fears social media. 

I can still remember when attorneys could finally advertise and many were opposed to it.  Now you can find attorneys advertising in very creative ways, some good, some bad.  Attorneys have to keep up with the times.  Some of these devices can even make us more efficient and free us to spend more time on marketing or our cases.  Or better yet, they can free us to take the day off and go to the beach.