Time: Wed Mar 26 09:14:49 1997
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Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 09:06:29 -0800
To: (Recipient list suppressed)
From: Paul Andrew Mitchell [address in tool bar]
Subject: SLS: L&J: Lawyer Poll (fwd)
<snip>
>
>Don't Go In The Water
>Nolo Poll Results:
>How Was Your Swim With the Sharks?
>
>Compiled by Peri H. Pakroo
>
>The verdict is in: By majority vote, Nolo News readers have condemned
>the legal profession, declaring it to be infested with inept and
>unethical sharks. On questions of competence, communication and fees,
>the overwhelming majority of respondents found lawyers to be sorely
>lacking. Some of the punishments suggested were perhaps a bit harsh
>(one called for shooting his lawyer in the town square), but were quite
>reflective of most respondents' anger and frustration at their
>experiences.
>
>What made everyone so made at their lawyers? Here are some statitics.
>
>When asked to describe their lawyers' services, a majority of readers
>described them as poor.
>
>
>How would you describe your lawyer's services?
>
>extremely competent 15%
>competent 15%
>adequate 12%
>poor 58%
>
>Most people thought that their lawyers didn't communicate well, and
>didn't seem to care about their clients' questions and concerns.
>
>How well did your lawyer keep you informed about the case's progress?
>
>very well (updated often) 17%
>fairly well 26%
>not well (hard to get info) 44%
>never 13%
>
>How well did your lawyer respond to your questions and concerns?
>
>very well 30%
>so-so 26%
>poorly 44%
>
>In the end, just over half of the fols we heard from were extremely
>dissatisfied about the outcomes of their cases -- but only 4% actually
>sued for malpractice.
>
>How did you feel about the outcome?
>
>highly satisfied 14%
>satisfied 20%
>dissatisfied 14%
>extremely dissatisfied 52%
>
>How did the lawyer calculate your legal fees?
>
>hourly rate 53%
>contingency fee 12%
>flat fee 23%
>other 12%
>
>Many people seem to feel that they won their cases in spite of their
>attorneys. For instance, many who thought their fees were unfair or
>that their lawyers were incompetent were still satisfied or highly
>satisfied with the outcomes of their cases. But the vast majority of
>respondents would not recommend their lawyers to family or friends.
>
>Would you recommend this lawyer to a friend?
>
>yes 28%
>no 72%
>
>Complaints about Lawyer
>
>When it came to particular complaints about your lawyers, people had
>plenty. Here are some of the most notable:
>
>"He never returned phone calls and fired his excellent secretary because
>she was not fashionable enough to suit the image he has of himself."
>
>"While he was supposed to be representing me, he offered his services
>and was hired by opposing counsel."
>
>"Male chauvinist -- laughed at my predictament."
>
>"A crook and a liar."
>
>"Gutless!"
>
>"Two years after my divorce I learned my ex-spouse and lawyer dated
>during proceedings."
>
>"He urged me to lie on a deposition."
>
>"Big superiority complex."
>
>Best Thing About Lawyer
>
>"Knowledgable, patient, and understanding."
>
>"He showed up in court when scheduled."
>
>"Excellent actor, liar, and traitor."
>
>"His slime did not stick to us."
>
>"His car."
>
>"She was straightforward and competent."
>
>"Billed me promptly."
>
>"He explained everything in detail."
>
>"He was a shark, which I needed."
>
>"Sounds good on the phone."
>
>"Nice suits!"
>
>
>
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>
>
========================================================================
Paul Andrew, Mitchell, B.A., M.S. : Counselor at Law, federal witness
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