Law Practice Management

• Citation: Vol. 45 No. 4 Pg. 38
• Publication year: 2022
• Pages: 38
• topic: Business of Law

Law Practice Management Vol. 45 No. 4 Pg. 38 Wyoming Bar Journal August, 2022

Why It's Worthwhile to Look for the Learning with Problem Clients

Mark Bassingthwaighte

ALPS Missoula, Montana

When it comes to problem clients, we all have a story or two to share, but what if it becomes more than that? What if a lawyer comes to realize that he or she is dealing with a problem client far more than once in a blue moon? It can happen, and if and when it does, it's time to stop and do a little problem solving. It's time to look for the learning.

Wait, how are you defining the term "problem client?"

A problem client is what you end up with when you fail to establish or fail to maintain a productive attorney-client relationship. Problem clients are often described as having several of the following characteristics. They can be demanding, confrontational, disrespectful, angry, unreasonable, needy, highly emotional, entitled, vengeful and the list goes on. They may have unrealistic expectations, have a personal agenda, be difficult to stay in touch with, and they are often problem payors at a minimum. Don't get me wrong, taking on a client who is needy and highly emotional, as an example, doesn't in and of itself make that...