Is Swimming with Sharks Safer than Working with a Lawyer?
Sharks and lawyers both have some negative associations. Many fear swimming with sharks as much as they do working with a lawyer and there are plenty of reasons to fear sharks even though they rarely go after humans. Still, there are opportunities to swim and snorkel with sharks all over the world, and most sharks are safe to swim with under the right conditions.
Are lawyers really sharks? Lawyers have a reputation for being sharks: sharp teeth, bloodthirsty, and dangerous. The truth is that bad lawyers give good lawyers a bad name and the shark stereotype is just one of many that needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
Common lawyer stereotypes
Apart from sharks, lawyers have some of the strongest stereotypes of any profession: workaholic, aggressive, and even dishonest. While there is usually a grain of truth to stereotypes, they are generalizations at best and shouldn’t prevent someone from seeking the legal help they need. Here are some of the most common lawyer stereotypes:
- The shark
The shark is the aggressive attorney out for blood who will argue for the sake of arguing and get in people’s faces while doing so. While you want a lawyer who will fight for you in the negotiating process and in the courtroom, they should also be able to have helpful conversations with clients that aren’t intimidating. Look for a lawyer who you get along with.
- Never available
There is a stereotype that lawyers are never available after they sign up a client. They never answer phone calls or emails and don’t keep clients updated with progress on their cases. Good lawyers stay in touch with their clients through the process, providing updates and answering questions.
- The lawyer whose face is everywhere
Some lawyers love to see their faces all over town on billboards, local TV ads and magazines, park benches and buses. Then you go to hire them and you get assigned to one of their associates and paralegals who run the show behind the scenes.
- The workaholic
The workaholic attorney seemingly works 24/7 pulling long hours and answering calls and emails late into the night. While it’s nice to have a hard-working lawyer, everyone needs a little work-life balance to stay on top of their game.
- The ambulance chaser
The ambulance chaser is known for obsessively chasing new clients – whipping out their business cards and talking about their services at every disaster site. Being eager is good but soliciting business while a disaster is unfolding is not.
Don’t let these negative stereotypes scare you; there are lots of great attorneys out there. Learn about what it’s really like to work with a personal injury lawyer.
When starting your search, look for specialists with experience in the area of law that you need legal support. For example, you wouldn’t choose a land use attorney when you have been in a car accident and need to file a personal injury claim. Narrow down your search to only competent, ethical lawyers with positive reviews from their clients. Here are some more tips on how to find a good car accident attorney.
Seek the help of a personal injury lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
