Arizona Divorce Lawyer Discusses How To Find The Right Attorney
Submitted by Attorney Douglas C. Gardner
I have always found photos of the heavy built person with the bulldog on a leash next to the overly stylistic person with the overly dressed up French poodle to be hilarious. People joke about other people finding dogs that most resemble them. Throughout my law practice, I have often found that many clients seem to select lawyers who resemble themselves in many ways. Specifically, people of low morals and ethics seem to be able to find attorneys with low morals and ethics. Overly aggressive individuals seem to seek out attorneys who will be overly aggressive.
Such behavior can become quickly problematic, as it may be more advantageous to have an attorney who is appropriately balanced. When I am representing clients in a divorce, I recognize and understand that my clients are normal people, but that they are going through what is most likely the most difficult time in their lives. Generally clients in divorce cases are struggling financially (which usually occurs even before the divorce starts, and may be part of the cause). Clients going through divorce cases have to juggle parenting duties that were historically divided between the other parent. Clients going through divorce have strong emotions that they must work through including the hurt, betrayal, anger, etc.
I feel that when hired as a divorce attorney, my job is to recognize the emotion, but to not get pulled in or effected by the emotion. I feel that as a divorce attorney I am the legal and logical “Jiminy Cricket” proverbially on my client’s shoulders whispering to them what the legal and logical choice would be and helping them see beyond their emotional choices. Choices made during a divorce often have life-long lingering effects, and should be carefully considered from the emotional, legal, and logical perspectives before making any decision.
The problem with overly aggressive people seeking out overly aggressive attorneys, or less ethical people seeking out less ethical attorneys, is that instead of an advocate fighting to help you understand what is best, you may hire a cheerleader that will simply encourage you to act out emotionally without considering the logical and legal ramifications.
Any divorce attorney who has handled more than a few cases has been “fired” by a client. For me, it does not happen often, but does occur. I have certainly been hired by many more clients who have fired prior attorneys than I have been fired from. I have found it interesting that I am usually fired for one of two reasons: 1) being too nice, or 2) being too aggressive. Whenever I have a client that indicates that he/she is not fully satisfied with my services, I explain to them how we can fix things to make it right, and I discuss with them that they have the option of representing themselves or hiring another attorney (within our firm or from another firm). It is important for clients to have confidence in their chosen attorneys, so that clients trust the legal and logical advice given. It is important for clients to have confidence in the strategy (for settlement and/or for trial) utilized by the attorney.
My general preference in any case is to come in nice, and to try and resolve cases amicably through settlement. I have learned that when I come in too harsh and too strong that it may cause the case to go through litigation unnecessarily. It is generally easier to get meaner and nastier as the case progresses than the other way around. Some clients are looking for attorneys that will instantly be on the attack. While there are certain cases where this is appropriate (such as an emergency cases where emergency orders are needed right away), in general, those attorneys who come on unnecessarily strong at the beginning of a case do so simply to ensure that the case costs much more than it would have otherwise needed to cost.
Even when taking the gloves off, it is important to have an attorney who remains ethical and professional at all times.
If you are involved in a divorce case or other parenting time case involving “legal decision making” (the new word for legal custody), or other simple or complex issues and want experienced legal representation, please call 800-899-2730 and ask to speak with Douglas C. Gardner, or visit our website at www.yourarizonadivorcelawyer.com.