Susan, I have always admired Solo Practice U – keep up the great work!

Thank you. You clearly got the point of the post. How often and/or how you deliver services isn’t the variable that determines whether you are a ‘real’ or ‘fake’ lawyer. (misrepresentation or lapse in ethics is a whole other issue unrelated to this post.)

If there is such a thing as a “real lawyer,” being human has to be part of the equation. Overworked and depressed lawyers who have no perspective and no appreciation for the challenges their clients face do not serve those clients well. Just because it’s always been done one way doesn’t mean it can’t be done far more effectively — and ethically — another way.

Law firms who are stuck to the traditional way of doing things are missing out on an enormous amount of talent out there. There are, for example, many extremely talented lawyers who took themselves out of the workforce to care for children or elderly parents or whatever and who are now interested in returning to work. Some of these people may still require some type of accommodation, as, for example, through more flexible work hours. You can say, well, that’s too bad for you, you’ve made your bed, now you need to lie in it. Or, taking advantage of the latest in technology, you can capitalize on this talent on terms that work for everyone involved.

I know of at least one law firm that is doing this extremely effectively. In fact, the head of this firm is only too pleased to take advantage of all the talent out there that others – people who are too wedded to the old way of doing things – fail to notice. And there is no question of meeting client needs this way. For example, a client who is sitting in jail doesn’t care if you have a fancy law office and a receptionist. All the client cares about is whether or not he can reach you.

I am no big fan of all the hucksters out there trying to sell products or services we don’t need. But we are adults. We are savvy. We can figure out for ourselves what works and what doesn’t.

All of that said, and because these discussions often deteriorate into ad hominem attacks, I should add that I am a practicing criminal defense attorney with a full list of clients and a bricks-and-mortar office. I guess that makes me a “real lawyer.”