When I came back from overseas in 2008, I went to see a doctor for some minor pain. He had no idea what was wrong with me or wouldn’t say. I was told I had to have a full endoscopy under anesthesia. Whilst I ran from his office and never went back (pain gone), I was left with a rush of memories of similar doctors visits: no idea – none – what was wrong! In all fairness, doctors are probably blaming us lawyers and malpractice suits for their not providing a diagnosis.
Now for fun, pure satire, imagine running your office like some doctors.
Here it goes: imagine having an office with only paralegals and assistants. Clients are asked to fill out massive questionnaires, with lots of personal information, explaining the exact nature of their claim and reasons to see the lawyer. Then after 30 minutes, they go to another room and a paralegal asks them lots more questions, reviews any paper work they have and tells you’ll be right in. After 15 more minutes, you walk in hurriedly like a chess grandmaster playing a tournament against 300 people. You’re on the clock! You smile, ask them a few questions somewhat related to their claim for 3 minutes.
Here’s the fun part!
You generously give them some law journal articles and statutes to read for when they get home. Don’t worry of it’s not even relevant to their case, as long as they feel it might help. You conclude by telling them you have no idea about their case. But the articles may relieve some of the anxiety, and at least they won’t create more legal problems. If they ask about the chances of winning this case, say it could be anything, you don’t know. If they ask, well, am I liable , am I in trouble? Say, sorry, can’t really say without more research. If they ask about the actual law, don’t worry, you don’t need to know the exact area of law. Simply say you don’t know that either until you do some more research. At which point, your assistant walks in and escorts them promptly to the counter to pay a retainer and schedule more research with a follow up interview. After the research is done and paid for, refer them out to a specialist.
I could not resist. 😉 Now tell me some of you haven’t thought about it. Of course it’s ludicrous, unethical and unfair to many good doctors, but it’s funny to think of the possibilities…..
I was told by a retired spanish attorney that in old times lawyers use to run their bussines like doctors, you had to wait in the waiting room where you can see others waiting as well..(so that made you think..wow, this guy is a good lawyer..there are others here too)
then a diligent secretary asked you details and questions about your needs.
after waiting (always lawyers made you wait to show how busy they were..) you could enter into his office with almost the sensation of making a reverence in front of an eminence! hahaha!
Nowadays that is imposible..!