Scott L. Vernick was quoted in the Law360 article, "7 Things You Should Never Say to a Client." Full text can be found in the September 17, 2014, issue, but a synopsis is below.
To build strong relationships with clients, attorneys must speak openly and honestly about their availability, billing arrangements and likelihood of success in litigation. But there are certain things that should never leave their mouths, according to attorneys.
Among them, attorneys advise to steer clear of making absolute guarantees to clients about the way a case will turn out. While attorneys agree that offering clients a percentage is typically preferable to making a guarantee, they also noted that giving 50-50 odds does little to help.
Attorneys should also avoid using prior knowledge of a certain judge to make predictions on how that judge may rule.
"It seems like it would be appropriate to use the fact that you've been up against a judge before as a point of reference so that clients know your experience, background and context for why you might be giving a piece of advice, but I wouldn't pivot from that to say that 'I know how this matter is going to come out,'" said Scott Vernick, a noted privacy attorney.
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