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Anyway how was your weekend?
Additional Posts in Family Law
I hate being an attorney. How do I get out.
What is your hours worked to hours billed ratio?
Family Law Software? Pros and cons?
If you are thinking of starting a law practice or growing one with little or no capital, you need to get the book, “Starting & Growing a Law Practice without Breaking the Bank.
It was written based on personal experience and research. I started my practice 11 years ago in the middle of the 2008/2009 recession with about $500 and I have grown the practice significantly over the years using affordable and available resources.
I also coach solo practitioners and small firm attorneys. https://www.amazon.com/Starting-Growing-Practice-Without-Breaking/dp/1099523303
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I keep all the cards I receive. But whiskey, flowers, and some stones. I fought for my client to get her stone collection and in return she gave me two of them. They’re my favorite gift because I know they meant so much to her.
What a touching memento! Thanks for sharing
I've gotten some gift cards before for the pharmacy and liquor store. I've also gotten a gift basket with fresh flowers in a pot that came with a packet of plant food and an Amazon gift card from another.
Thanks! Lots of wine and liquor themes here! I never like to assume someone drinks but maybe Amazon or a visa gift card
One whole bitcoin is suffice
Liquor, wine, steaks, chocolates, are all things I’ve received over the years. But honestly, the two best gifts clients can give me are (1) timely pay your bill in full and (2) leave a good review. Often times, family law firms are carrying high AR balances because in many divorces, money is tied up in real estate, investments, etc. In those instances, it often takes a decree of divorce to facilitate the sale/transfer/liquidation of assets such that a client has an ability to pay. So, it’s not uncommon for family law firms to get paid at the end of a case. As for the review, most family law clients pick their lawyer because of a referral from a friend or family member who also had a family law issue. Pay your bill and refer people to them.
I am constantly paying these people haha, no issue there. Thanks for your response!
I’ve received a nice bottle of wine or champagne or flowers. While it is a nice gesture, it’s definitely not expected.
Divorce proceedings are definitely a marathon, not a sprint. I’m actually going to lunch with my former client. If you have really bonded with your attorney, that also may be a nice gesture.
I worked in high-net-worth family law for 10 years. I received a number of gifts over the years (and, if there was a LA who worked closely on your case, please consider them too as we work hard!) both for Christmas and when their cases settled.
The most expensive gift I received was a Christmas gift from a very wealthy woman. It was a Tiffany bracelet and necklace (not the charm bracelet). Keep in mind this woman was worth ~500M. She also got us Tiffany candy dishes another year. I’m fairly certain she had a major account with them.
My partner typically received wine, but he was a man. The female associate and I received gifts like the above.
All in all, none of this was ever expected and was always very much appreciated. A nice letter also goes a long way and my most thoughtful (and meaningful) gift was a card from a woman who told me I gave her a sense of peace and calm back to her, and she felt like she had her life back, after being in an abusive relationship with her ex-husband. That was a few years ago and I still have that card.
Thank you for sharing!
The best gift I received was a week at one client’s Florida house in a well-known golf development (I was able to play golf but reimbursed him for those expenses). The client wasn’t using the house and I needed a break after that trial! I also received Hermes scarves from a few clients over the years. Yes, I have saved a number of “thank you” notes as well- A great gift is continuing friendship and trust— I get emails every now and then from old clients with updates on their lives, as well as the occasional post-judgment matter.
I wish I could offer those gifts! Maybe for my attorney in my next divorce (jk—never again). Glad you have been appreciated for your work!
my favourite gifts have been flowers, high end chocolate and a handwritten card. I have kept all the cards. I prefer that to a bottle of wine. It also spoke volumes when my clients gave a gift to my law clerk/assistant as well.
Thanks! I will definitely send to the paralegal (there’s no assistant on my case) as well!
My primary area is family law, so I’ve received wine, gift cards, flowers, and gourmet popcorn (one of our clients owned a popcorn company). And, don’t forget the paralegal and/or legal assistant that worked on your case.
Thanks so much! And definitely already planning to include the paralegal!
We have gotten craft liquor, fancy chocolates, and most recently, a whole box of wine. But yeah, I value a heartfelt card or email right up there with those things.
Montblanc meisterstruck
OP, you and your respondents l have lit some of the signs in my life that have been directing me to switch to practicing high net worth divorce law. Two openings in my city keep calling to me. Have done a decade of complex commercial litigation in BigLaw and have done pro bono divorce and TROs and counseling since my 2nd year of law school. The firm is offering an excellent salary as well as training. I think I received as much as 30 hours of mentoring in total in all my years of practice. You people sound like such good people to work with — Would you recommend the shift? I’d like to face a refreshing challenge for which I have some core competencies. I do fear being immersed in grief for my clients instead of keeping a clear head for strategy. Your advice would be much appreciated.
OP, please accept my sympathy for your divorce and all that you have endured and are going through. It says so much about you that you immediately think of others.
Hadn’t logged on in a while! Did you make any decision? I haven’t worked in family law myself so I can’t offer much perspective, but I am excited to share that I am almost to the finish line of my proceeding! Just waiting on the judgment to issue after 2+ years of chaos. Appreciate your kind words and best of luck to you!
I am a client wanting to find a nice appropriate gift for my attorney who knocked my cases out of the park! What’s a good gift for a 60 something male?! His staff said no alcohol..
Just pay the bill. If there is an outstanding restaurant nearby, get a gift voucher .
I’ve received a bottle of champagne or wine, a small accent rug for my office (the client owned a rug business), a jar of saffron (client owned a spice business), flowers. One client, an artist, painted a beautiful custom piece for my office which I love. I also once got a hand-painted portrait of me from a client who was NOT an artist... and my assistant got a painting from him of a flower that looked quite like the female anatomy, and we weren’t quite sure what to make of that. Those paintings are NOT displayed in the office (or anywhere else). But honestly getting an email or card from the client about the case has meant just as much, if not more, than any of these!
Thanks so much for sharing! Got it, I’ll write something nice instead of trying my hand at art haha
Champagne, Craft Vodka, Bourbon (if you are south of the sweet tea line, this is the most likely), Cookies, an Afghan (blanket), A picture of the client with the new Girlfriend (not so good), a travel mug and K-Cup pods. One tried to give me another $2500 in cash but I turned that down.
It’s just too shady to be accepting cash from clients as a gift. Just as I would do, they would be expected to return cash or anything too extravagant. We’d ask they refer new clients instead, or make a charitable donation.
I received a pot for a plant from a client who was an avid gardener. It was very unexpected but brings me joy every day when I see it.
That’s lovely :)
The handwritten card means the most, but a gift card to a nice restaurant tucked in it is nice too :)
Probably going this route. Hoping my case will wrap up by the end of the month and can send as a thank you right in time for the holidays!
I have no put because I have my spent my career working with indigent clients but I just want to say that my day is made by all the kindness shared in this thread by OP and the clients/attorneys mentioned in the replies.
Wow, hats off to you! I have thought many times to myself that “wow, at least I can afford this.” Can’t imagine going through a divorce against a toxic ex without the ability to pay. I wish my firm had pro bono family cases; I’ve learned so much and would love to be able to put some of it to use.