The “old” and “traditional” ways of communicating between attorneys and clients had changed, although they still exist: meetings, telephone calls, and mailing letters. The new technology, emails and texts have changed that. Attorneys and clients have a variety of ways to interact and communicate. This varies from practice to practice.
However, this blog focuses on more fundamental issues, which is when communicating with your counsel, what is the best way to do so. Some of this may be ironed out by familiarity with each other as the case progresses.
There are three key ways that anecdotal evidence suggests communication happens, each having its own place. Knowing how you generally communicate will help you apply the right type of communication for your case or legal matter as it progresses.
First, is linear communication where you present the facts your counsel needs in a systematic fashion. These tend to focus in on very narrow legal issues for determination of how to act (or not act). An example is “Tell me what happened in the prior five minutes to this event?” This typically comes later in the case, such as a deposition in a criminal matter.
Second, is more familiarization with a general case. It is just a dialogue that is akin to normal conversation and does not necessarily move in a straight forward fashion specifically. It may digress into the collateral discussions. This helps identify the legal issue or matter and the surround situation so the attorney and/or client can really understand the nature and scope of the issue. This might come where there are multiple cases, such as a divorce, protective order, and criminal matter, as each somewhat impacts the other.
Third, is emotional or non-linear communication that is circular or driven by emotion or non-legal objectives or ends. These too have a place in the legal process, such as at trial; however, they must be limited or they waste valuable time and momentum in a case.
Most attorneys and clients have a default way they communicate. It is key to make sure you identify this in order to move your matter along in an efficient and informed way. And to be able to shift the way you communicate as your legal case demands. If not your may miss key opportunities to the end of your legal objective.
In real estate, it is location, location, location. In law it is communication, communication, communication in the right way at the right time. We hope you find this blog on attorney-client relaying of information helpful to your general understanding of the law. This blog post was written by attorneys at Dixon & Moseley, P.C. who handle cases across the State of Indiana. It is not intended as a solicitation for legal representation or a legal advice. It is an advertisement.