What is it about our job that attracts some terrible lawyers? I mean, some of them are just unbelievably awful. You know the type – promise the moon, don’t even deliver some cheese. “Take this deal; I’ll get you out tomorrow.” “Don’t worry, they won’t convict you”. “If you take this offer, I can’t help you.” “I don’t represent snitches.” “Give me more money or I won’t go to court for you.”

The false promises part really pisses me off. You know there are attorneys who make them but then when the client gets screwed, will swear up and down that they would never, ever say something like that. Bullshit. Half the inmate population can’t be lying. Maybe they didn’t say it exactly as the client said they did, but they made some ridiculous promise. Why do they do it? Prestige? Wanting the client to like you? Why is it so damn difficult for attorneys to say: “Sorry, I couldn’t do any better” or “Man, I screwed up.”

Be honest with the client. Please. It’s about them, not you.