Can you distinguish between a good lawyer and a mediocre lawyer?

Lawyering

I have heard it many times… that most clients are unable to distinguish between a mediocre lawyer and a good one.

Is that true?

Can’t a client tell when a lawyer is well-prepared, having reviewed all the documents and anticipating potential questions, versus one who might not be as ready for the meeting?

Can’t a client appreciate the difference between a lawyer who takes the time to thoroughly brief the client and ensure the client understands what’s at stake, versus one who may not invest as much time in that process?

And what about the attention to detail in documents? Can’t a client see the difference between an agreement that’s carefully drafted and one that might leave room for ambiguity or future disputes?

This post was first posted on LinkedIn on 11 March 2025.

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