Why Full Disclosure Matters in an Effective Attorney-Client Relationship?
Clients and attorneys mutual criteria for a successful relation is trust. This is because the amount of personal and confidential information that the client must be willing to share, matters greatly to the attorney to be able to build a case. Clients are often hesitant to share information due the sensitivity or thinking that it may not be relevant. However, withholding facts can harm their cases and result in grave losses.
On the other hand, full transparency allows attorneys to protect clients more effectively, anticipate risks, and build strong legal strategies. Below, we describe why clients should tell their attorneys everything, and what attorneys should know about their clients. This article can be viewed as a guide for potential clients to anticipate how a client-attorney relationship would be like.
Trust, is the key element to an effective attorney-client relationship. Here at Karimi & Associates Law Firm, we guarantee that your case information is not revealed to anyone except our experienced lawyers and advisors.
Why Clients Should Tell Their Attorney Everything?
A lawyer who knows everything can represent the client more confidently. Hidden facts about the story matter -the ones that the clients might have tried to conceal, or the ones that did not seem to be worthy of telling. These often emerge later during the proceedings or in the hearings and result in deteriorating the position or might weaken the case, if the lawyer is not prepared.
Additionally, the only time an attorney is able to tailor a legal strategy perfectly fit to the case, is when they know the full story. This includes the mistakes and weaknesses as well. That is, full information helps attorneys anticipate counterarguments, and pin point potential liabilities before they escalate.
Most clients are not aware of the attorney-client privilege; everything shared by the client, is protected under the law. This right is given to clients under Article 648 of the Iranian Penal Code, as well as Article 81 and 76 of The By-Laws of the Legal Bill of the Independence of the Iranian Bar Association. Attorneys will be barred from practicing and be sentenced under the law in case of revealing the clients’ information and secrets.
What Attorneys Should Know About Their Clients Early On?
First thing attorneys ask about is the identity and background of their clients. In addition to them being an individual, a company or an investor, they would need to know the objective and the expectations of the clients. If the client is a business entity, attorneys require information on the financial and commercial details as well and that is because understanding the company/s structure, partnerships and goals help design better approaches and solutions.
Facts of the matter is the key requirement; all relevant events, documents, timelines and communications related to the case are of high importance. This includes past legal history which might be previous disputes. Contracts or compliance issues, too, can influence the course of strategies to the case.
Basics of a client-attorney relationship aside, it is important to the attorneys to know that they take measure in line with the clients’ reasonable preferences; examples of this could vary as some clients want to avoid litigation in order to save time and maximize compensation, while others do not consider ADR based on their respective jurisdictions.
Building a Successful Strategy
Everything mentioned is a two-way street. As attorneys try to create a safe, judgment-free environment during consultations, clients shall prepare documents and get ready for the uncomfortable facts in advance.
A successful case begins with transparency. Clients who share openly help and allow lawyers to protect their interests more efficiently and to be able to anticipate challenges along the way; which altogether result in delivering better results.
In today’s costumes, confidentiality is not just a rule, but a cornerstone of legal ethics and effective representation that attorneys value. Also, confidentiality agreements can easily reinforce privacy and trust in this relationship. The ultimate fact, however, is that transparency should not be overlooked in a client-attorney relationship.
This guide is provided to give potential clients a sense of what it is like to acquaint with an attorney. The professionalism and trustworthiness of Karimi & Associates Law Firm assures clients to feel safe and calm when bringing their matters to our experienced advisors.