Secrets only lawyers know... 🤫

Hey there!

It’s Mike, your favorite internet lawyer, with another legal crash course. 

Today, we’re diving into the deepest, darkest secrets that only lawyers know. 

Let’s get into it...

Secrets only lawyers know

Most people assume the legal system is fair and transparent. In reality, it’s full of unwritten rules that only insiders understand. 

Here are four things lawyers don’t want you to know.

1. Judges are not always as neutral as they should be

Judges are supposed to be impartial, but their backgrounds can unconsciously shape how they rule.

• Where they went to law school matters. Studies show that if your lawyer went to the same law school as the judge, your case may get slightly more favorable treatment.

• Their previous job matters. Studies suggest that judges who were former prosecutors could be more sympathetic to the government’s arguments, while a former defense attorney might lean in the other direction.

A good lawyer understands these dynamics and adjusts their strategy accordingly.

2. Some lawyers overcharge clients

Legal fees can be a mystery, and some lawyers use small tricks to increase what clients pay.

• Many bill in six-minute increments. If they spend one minute replying to an email, they might round it up and charge for a full six.

• What’s worse, at big law firms, attorneys often have high billable hour targets... sometimes 16 hours a day, six days a week. This pressure can lead to "bill padding," where extra time is logged to meet quotas.

Not all lawyers do this, but it’s important to ask for detailed billing explanations and question anything that seems excessive.

3. The "hard to get" game

If you’ve ever reached out to a lawyer and felt you had to convince them to take the case, that’s not always because they’re “too busy”... it’s a psychological trick to win your business. 

• Some lawyers turn away clients, not because they can’t take the case, but to create a sense of exclusivity.

• Others act like they’re in high demand so that prospective clients feel lucky just to get a meeting.

They might say things like: "I'm not sure we can take your case" or "We're very selective about our clients." Why? Because just like that designer bag that's "limited edition," people want what they think they can't have.

4. Sugar-coating your chances

No one wants to hear bad news, and bad lawyers avoid giving it to potential clients upfront.

• Some will tell clients what they want to hear just to get them to sign a retainer agreement.

• They may avoid discussing how weak the case actually is, knowing that once a client is financially and emotionally invested, they’ll be reluctant to back out.

• Over time, they "adjust expectations," slowly preparing the client for a less favorable outcome than they originally suggested.

A good lawyer will be honest from the start, even if it’s not what the client wants to hear. If a lawyer is overly optimistic without explaining the risks, that’s a red flag.

Remember this...

Not all legal professionals play these games. Many lawyers are honest, transparent, and genuinely want to help. The key is knowing what to watch out for so you can spot the red flags early...

That’s it for today. Until next time, this case is closed.

See you then!

Mike