One of the most important words in every lawyer\u2019s vocabulary should be a simple, two-letter one: No.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn how to say it the right way \u2013 and at the right time \u2013 and you\u2019ll make good things happen in your practice. Fail to say it when you should \u2013 or say it at the wrong time \u2013 and you\u2019d better watch out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No is not always easy to say. We lawyers, after all, are trained to help people. We like solving problems, making lives better, helping our clients get to Yes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if we fall into the habit of saying yes when we should say no \u2013 whether to a boss, employee, colleague or client \u2013 we\u2019re doing a disservice to them and to ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below are three proven strategies for saying no the right way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a big \u201cYes!\u201d when you have professional liability coverage through Alta Pro Insurance.<\/a> All of our insured are automatically enrolled as members of Alta Pro Lawyers RPG, which offers exclusive access to free webinars, the Pro Practice Playbook, Reminger ProLink, Ask the Risk Pro and other benefits. Not a member? Join today!<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Strategy #1: Outline Your Priorities<\/strong> \u201c<\/em>For a long time, I was generous to a fault with my time and attention,\u201d she writes <\/a><\/font>here<\/a>. \u201cBut I\u2019ve reconsidered my reflexive \u2018yes.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before defaulting to yes, Raymond says she consciously takes\na moment to ask herself these four questions before responding to a work\nrequest:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf a request clashes with Influence & Co.\u2019s priorities or threatens to drain my energy, that\u2019s an easy no,\u201d she writes<\/a>. \u201cIf I know a better person to handle a request, I\u2019ll connect the asker and expert. If I can offer a less time-intensive alternative, I\u2019ll do that. It\u2019s much easier to agree to answer a few questions via email, for example, than to sit down for a two-hour meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This four-step process can be easily\nadapted to a situation where you\u2019re asked to take on a case you feel hesitant\nabout:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strategy #2: Write a Script<\/strong> Dear Prospective Client:<\/em><\/p> Thanks for contacting our firm for legal services [specify the matter if known]. Unfortunately, we will not be able to assist you. <\/em><\/p> [Here give a short answer why: we don\u2019t do that type of work, we aren\u2019t currently accepting new matters in that area, we have a conflict of interest, etc.]<\/em><\/p> I suggest you contact [here give contact information for another attorney(s) \u2013 be sure to tell the attorneys you\u2019re doing so \u2013 or contact information for your state or local lawyer referral service.]<\/em><\/p> I wish you all the best in the future. Sincerely, <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Strategy #3: Referral, Referral, Referral<\/strong> Want to learn lots of other ways to keep clients happy? Become a member<\/em><\/strong> of <\/strong><\/em>Alta Pro Lawyers RPG<\/a>. You\u2019ll get access to free webinars, the Pro Practice Playbook, Reminger ProLink, Ask the Risk Pro and lots of other practice resources. <\/strong><\/em>Here\u2019s how to join<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It’s sometimes hard to say no. Here are 3 good ways to do it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[244,245],"tags":[284,285,291],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/altaprorpg.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/altaprorpg.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/altaprorpg.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altaprorpg.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altaprorpg.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2599"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/altaprorpg.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2599\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/altaprorpg.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2599"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altaprorpg.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2599"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altaprorpg.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2599"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Entrepreneur Kelsey Raymond, founder of Influence and Co<\/a>., writes that she had trouble saying no <\/a>until she realized it was hindering her career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Create a script like the following, which you should modify to suit your needs. Print it and tape it to your wall. Read it verbatim (or send it as a nonengagement letter) when required:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just because you can\u2019t take the case doesn\u2019t mean you have to come away empty-handed. Send the prospect elsewhere. If it\u2019s a good case, both the referred attorney and the client will be grateful. You might be ethically entitled to a portion of the fee. And you might get a reciprocal referral in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n