TOPIC:  TRAFFIC OFFENSES ARE NOT MINOR ISSUES

Often times people believe that a simple speeding ticket or other related traffic violation is simply a minor issue.  They believe that nothing will really happen to them if they fail to address the ticket.  Or they believe that simply paying the fine and moving on is the easiest way to deal with such infractions.  Little do people realize that their future actions may be impacted by the choices they make in handling that traffic violation.  Traffic violations are serious business and they should be handled in a prompt and professional fashion.  Delaying until a few days before the court date to finally handle a situation is a recipe for disaster!

TOPIC:  STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

The last thing a small business owner wants to deal with is legal issues when preparing to start their dream business.  Often times problems that arise in the future can be eliminated with the proper business formation documents.  From an Operating Agreement to Articles of Incorporation, an Attorney is a vital part of ensuring that the company not only starts on the right foot, but also stays away from future problems.

TOPIC:  BAD NEWS DOESN'T GET BETTER WITH TIME

How often have we heard that expression used to describe the perils of delaying telling someone something?  The same can be said for any legal matter.  This is especially true if a Court mandated deadline is approaching.  The more time that an attorney has to deal with a legal issue, the better. 

Often times, the opposing party may be more willing to reach a compromise which will be beneficial for you if you are approaching them early.  At the last minute, an opposing party may have already invested a vast amount of time and money into the litigation and may not be as willing to settle.

Regardless of the legal issue, quickly securing legal representation is the best strategy.

TOPIC:  REAL ESTATE FORECLOSURES

With foreclosures on the rise, real estate matters become more and more important to general practice attorneys. I have personally assisted clients in dealing with an impending foreclosure. While a number of legal strategies exist for dealing with foreclosures, often times negotiating directly with the mortgage lender's legal team can buy your client time and fee discounts.

It is often better to quickly sell a home for a minimal profit rather than to allow it to go through foreclosure proceedings.  Negotiating with "as-is" home buyers provides another option for your client.  It maintains any semblance of a good credit history and allows your client to potentially purchase a new residence right away.

TOPIC: CLIENT COMMUNICATION

Taking care of clients not only makes sense, but it keeps lawyers out of legal hot water.  Client communication is one of the most critical functions of an attorney-client relationship.  Why wouldn't you keep a client informed about what is going on in their legal matter? 

With numerous forms of communication widely available, keeping in touch is now easier than ever.  From old fashioned letters, to faxes, to e-mails, even telephone calls provide a way to keep clients informed and in the loop.  Clients also tend to have more realistic expectations about their case results when you keep them informed.  Good news and bad news alike keeps the client apprised of what direction the matter is headed towards. 

Read Tom Kane's blog at www.legalmarketingblog.com for an August 13, 2007 blog on the importance of strong client relationships.

Taking care of clients and keeping them informed about their legal matter is always our priority!