From Lawyer To Trusted Advisor: 5 Strategies For Building Trust

Lawyers are always expected to be credible and reliable sources of information.

handshake shaking hands shake hands trustEvery profession has its own set of standards that must be upheld in order to maintain its credible and reliable reputation. Lawyers are no different, as we are always expected to be credible and reliable sources of information. One way we can live up to this perception is by providing valuable advice based on our knowledge of the law.

Below, you will find five of the many ways that lawyers can build trust with their clients.

Developing A Strong Client Base

The first step to becoming a trusted advisor is to develop a strong client base. This means building relationships with clients and getting to know them on a personal level. The more you know, the better you will be able to understand their needs and provide them with the best possible legal advice.

For instance, if you had a client who was going through a divorce, you would need to be able to empathize with them and understand what they are going through in order to give them relevant and appropriate advice.

Being Up To Date On The Latest Legal News

This allows you to provide your clients with the most current information and advice. You can stay up to date on the latest legal news by reading legal publications, attending CLE courses, and networking with other lawyers.

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Providing Valuable Advice

Providing valuable advice — with emphasis on the “valuable” — means giving advice based on your specialized knowledge and experience of the law. For instance, you may give a client advice on how to handle a difficult legal issue, earning their trust by showing them you are knowledgeable about the law and that you are willing to help them resolve their legal issues.

Being Responsive

It’s important to be responsive to your clients’ needs by making sure you return their phone calls and emails in a timely manner. It also means being available to meet with them when they need to discuss their cases.

Having Integrity

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This is one of the most important aspects of being a lawyer. You must have integrity in order to be trusted by your clients. This means being honest and ethical in all that you do.

Conclusion

Trust is essential in lawyer-client relationships. It is what allows clients to feel comfortable sharing their personal information, and it is what keeps them coming back for more legal advice. Being up to date on the latest legal news and providing valuable advice are both great ways to become a trusted advisor.

For more information on how lawyers can become trusted advisors, be sure to watch “Finding Your Voice as a Trusted Advisor” on Notes to My (Legal) Self. This episode features Alexandra Ross, a lawyer and trusted advisor who helps lawyers find their voices and build trust with their clients.


Olga MackOlga V. Mack is the CEO of Parley Pro, a next-generation contract management company that has pioneered online negotiation technology. Olga embraces legal innovation and had dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law. She is convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than before by embracing technology. Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. She founded the Women Serve on Boards movement that advocates for women to participate on corporate boards of Fortune 500 companies. She authored Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat and Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security. You can follow Olga on Twitter @olgavmack.