10 Rules of the Road for Trial Lawyers – Protecting Clients and Preventing Legal Malpractice (Rule 4)

Rule of the Road No. 4: A trial lawyer must tell the client the truth.

This rule should go without saying, but, regrettably, it must be said again and again. In my experience, few actions by lawyers infuriate clients more than the sense that their lawyer has not told the truth or told them only half-truths. Sometimes lawyers are reluctant to give clients bad news. Sometimes lawyers don’t want to admit their mistakes. (A wise lawyer once said, “Crow is best eaten while young.”)

Telling the client the truth is not only a moral imperative, it is part of effective communication with the client. See Rule of the Road No. 3 above. A client cannot make an informed decision if the lawyer does not tell the client the truth. See Model Rule 1.0(e) Rules of Professional Conduct (defining “informed consent”).

Published by
Michael T. Mihm

Recent Posts

Bicycle Riding Safety: Rules Even Veterans Might Not Know

Bicycling is more than a leisure activity or a means of transportation; it's a lifestyle…

3 days ago

Playground Safety Tips: Keeping the Kids Safe

As the weather warms up, our children spend more time on the playground. Alarmingly, playground…

1 week ago

Dissecting Bissonnette: Exploring its Implications and Impact on Employment Disputes

Dissecting Bissonnette Recent Supreme Court decisions have brought both clarity and complexity to arbitration agreements…

2 weeks ago

Reduce the Risk of Youth Sports Injuries This Spring

From baseball diamonds to soccer fields, every spring, young athletes across the nation lace up…

2 weeks ago

Just Drive: Tips for Avoiding Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is the number-one cause of car crashes in the United States. The NHTSA…

3 weeks ago

Staying Safe With Springtime Sports

Staying Safe With Springtime Sports As winter turns to spring, many of us (and our…

1 month ago