7 Steps Attorneys Can Take to Build Trust With Their Clients

As an attorney, building trust with your clients is essential. High levels of trust can ensure that you will have successful and long-lasting professional relationships, that you will be able to avoid miscommunications, and that you will be able to meet clients’ legal needs. When you and your clients trust each other, they will be more likely to be satisfied with the legal services you provide, and they may refer others who need legal help. There are several steps you can take to build trust with your clients, including:

1. Be Transparent

Transparency is key in establishing and maintaining trust with your clients. By taking the time to explain the laws that may affect clients, the legal procedures that will be followed during a case, the potential outcomes that clients can expect, and any risks involved, you can help your clients address any concerns they may have. Make sure to use plain language that your clients can understand. You can explain fees and billing practices and provide progress updates throughout a case. This can help ensure that your clients understand what to expect and will be prepared to address their legal issues.

2. Actively Listen

Show your clients that you genuinely care about their concerns by actively listening to them during meetings or phone calls. Give them the opportunity to express themselves fully without interruption or judgment. This helps build rapport and shows empathy towards their unique situation. It also ensures that they will be able to trust you to do what is best for them during their cases.

3. Set Realistic Expectations

Avoid making promises you cannot keep or giving clients unrealistic ideas about a case's outcome. During consultations, provide honest assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of clients’ cases. Make sure they understand how developments during a case may affect the outcome. By helping clients understand what to expect, you can help them make informed decisions about how to address their legal concerns.

4. Clearly Define Roles and Responsibilities

To avoid confusion or miscommunication, it is important to clearly define each party's roles and responsibilities throughout your attorney-client relationship.

Your role as an attorney may include:

• Gathering relevant information or evidence

• Analyzing applicable laws and precedents

• Developing legal strategies

• Negotiating settlements

• Speaking on behalf of clients in court hearings and other legal proceedings

The client's role may include:

• Providing accurate and complete information about their case

• Closely following your instructions or recommendations

• Completing any necessary paperwork in a timely manner

• Gathering documents or providing any requested information

5. Keep Lines of Communication Open

Frustration can arise when clients feel they are left in the dark about the progress of their cases. Maintain regular communication and keep clients informed about any issues that may affect them. Make sure to promptly return phone calls, reply to emails, and provide regular updates on any developments related to their cases.

6. Be Respectful and Courteous

It is important to show respect for your client's time, opinions, perspectives, and decisions at all times. Treat them with courtesy and professionalism in every interaction. This can be especially crucial for clients who are facing emotional concerns as they deal with the stress of handling complex and unfamiliar legal issues. By showing that you are always on their side, you can offer the assurance that they will be able to resolve their concerns effectively.

7. Provide References or Testimonials

If you have previous clients who were satisfied with your services, ask them whether they would be willing to provide testimonials attesting to your skills as an attorney. Sharing positive feedback from past clients demonstrates that you will be able to meet the needs of other clients. You can also demonstrate accolades you have received, such as the Elite Lawyer award. This can show your clients that you have the knowledge and experience needed to address your clients’ concerns and represent them effectively during their cases.

Learn How Elite Lawyer Can Help You Build Trust

 

At Elite Lawyer, we recognize attorneys who have demonstrated that they can meet their clients’ needs. Being included in the Elite Lawyer directory shows that a lawyer is committed to providing the best possible representation for people who need assistance with legal issues. If you have questions about how an attorney can meet the qualifications to be recognized as an Elite Lawyer, contact us at 630-635-8000.