Recently, I reread an article by an attorney titled, “Fifty Things I Wish I Would Have Learned in Law School.” As I read it, I remembered one of my client’s advice to his employees about working with lawyers. To the best of my memory, here are his ideas on what clients should know; the explanations are mine.

1. Nothing is as simple as it seems. Whether it’s a contract that needs to be drafted, an idea patented, a dispute resolved, it usually seems relatively clear-cut. But remember, if it involves the law, it involves at least one other person with different perspectives, desires, needs. Even if everyone agrees on the goal at the outset, the details complicate the simplest matters.

2. Lawyers are objective advocates. Well, we are supposed to be, anyway. Even though clients are emotionally involved in the situation, our job is to remain objective and not only give the client our objective evaluation and advice but also work professionally and pleasantly with the other attorneys or the other parties involved. Sometimes our advice may not be what the client wants to hear, but we need to give it and hope the client listens. But, in the final analysis it is the client’s decision.

3. Try