Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Legal Counselling 1St Examination Reviewer: (June 18, 2012) Practice of Law
Legal Counselling 1St Examination Reviewer: (June 18, 2012) Practice of Law
- What is an administrative body? What is a - It is a skill involved in the conduct of any human
quasi-judicial body? activity.
Use of faculty or intelligence of one skilled in law I submit, (because the author says that it is an art) I
submit that legal counseling is both a science and an
- You know this is really complicated, the use of art. It is science because it involves the precise
faculty or intelligence of one skilled in law. How application of legal principles and statutes to a given
do you become skilled in law? Ow well, in your state of facts. You have a legal principle of equity, (what
1st, 2nd or 3rd year, you can’t say that you already else? In pari delicto) those are legal principles and you
use your faculty, but you can already say that have to apply these principles to given set of facts. So in
you are using your intelligence, your training, of a way, you can’t measure it, it is not appropriate if you
your studies. And above all, this performance of do not apply these principles to facts correctly. They
an act, is supposed to be compensated, you are must be applied correctly.Why art? Because it involves
entitled to a legal fee. analytical reasoning and language. You know class, law
is a very, it language centered. You never do away with
When you do these things, you ask yourself, are you
English in the practice of law. It is the number one
already in the practice of law? Yes, you are. But even if
instrument when you engaged in the practice, especially
you are appearing in judicial, administrative or quasi-
to the court and your peers. The decisions are made in
judicial bodies, you draft documents, but you are not
English. The world is getting too small, the language of
signing the pleadings, are you in the practice of law?
business is English, we travel we use English. So English
Actually you are not in the practice of law. (Nota bene:
will be there whether you like it or not.
If you are not signing pleadings, you are not engaged in
the practice of law) You are doing the things that is Analytical reasoning
actually done by a lawyer but you are not engaged in
the practice of law. To be in the practice of law, you are - Problem solving or analytical reasoning.
the one signing the documents. There paralegals, they
seem to be lawyers, they have knowledge of law, but Giving of advice or information
they are not members of the bar but they are virtually
- It may be preventive, curative, not necessarily
doing practice of law, but they are not law practitioners.
adversarial. Maybe the question on hand is
“What is the next step? I want to register my
land” Registering a deed of sale is not
LEGAL COUNSELING adversarial at all. This is part of legal advice,
although it could be done by any person, when
It is the art of giving advice and information you want to register your property you really
concerning the solution to a legal problem arising from don’t need a lawyer, but sometimes you know,
a given state of facts and the adoption of appropriate the client can pay the services of a lawyer.
reliefs or remedies under the law and enforcement of a
legal obligation before a judicial or quasi-judicial body. Solution of a legal problem
Why do we say it is an art? It could be a science it could - The problem to be solved is legal. And you
be an art, it could be the science of law. Why art? Why know when an issue is legal.
not science? It is an art, it is a science, and it could be
both. To a given state of facts
hidden here, so you schedule him for another office, instrumentality or government owned and
interview. For a cup of coffee, they loosen up. controlled corporation or the GOCC. The GOCC’s
Then you know the real state of facts. each one has its own charter, but their charter will
also come into play or stick with the provisions of
Adoption of appropriate remedies given by law the Administrative Code.
- Adoption of appropriate remedies given by law. If you have certain complaint to the Department of
It has to be appropriate hindi yang “Ipapatay Trade, you follow the rules and regulations to achieve a
nalang nato na bah” it must be a legal advice. certain process. When you follow the steps, at the end
Sometimes you don’t know, right? “unsaon ko of the process there is a decision, such decision is made
mana attorney nang sanga?” it is a skill, if you by an administrative body as contrasted to a quasi-
are trying to hide your ignorance, you must judicial body. Usually, a quasi-judicial body sits en banc.
have to do some postulate like “Ah, that is a bit For example the NLRC, they sit en banc and make
complicated, I’ll get back to you on that, why decisions. But administrative bodies usually have sub-
don’t we schedule another appointment?” (joke agencies under their umbrella. If you want to question
time) the decision, you bring it to the courts. You have to
state there that you have complied with the
Enforcement of a legal obligation
administrative procedure, so that your action will not
- There is a legal obligation involved and must be be dismissed. This is in relation to failure to exhaust
satisfied. If there is no legal obligation, there administrative remedies. Sometimes you even have to
will be no cause of action. go all the way up to the office of the president so that
you will have a cause of action and to say that you have
To judicial body or quasi-judicial body exhausted all available remedies.
must make sure you have core source. The scandalous manner to the discredit of the legal
practice of law is a profession not a business. profession.
Burbe vs. Magulta (June 10, 2002) How do you do that? You have to make sure that the
conduct of your affairs, public or private, must conform
In this day and age, members of the bar often
to, must be at par with the expectations of a lawyer.
forget that the practice of law is a profession and not a
The demand to be upright is both in public or private
business.[11] Lawyering is not primarily meant to be a
life. Masyadong mataas ang standards nito. So these are
money-making venture, and law advocacy is not a
the things that slip the mind of practitioners which are
capital that necessarily yields profits.[12] The gaining of
already in many years of practice that they tend to
a livelihood is not a professional but a secondary
forget that their private life is also in scrutiny.
consideration.[13] Duty to public service and to the
administration of justice should be the primary As officers of the court, a lawyer must also be seen to be
consideration of lawyers, who must subordinate their of good moral character.
personal interests or what they owe to themselves. The
practice of law is a noble calling in which emolument is You must also be of good moral character, and live your
a byproduct, and the highest eminence may be attained life with highest standards. Refrain from adulterous
without making much money. relationships to avoid scandalizing the public. Lawyers
are very human, they make mistakes. So, sometimes
Duty to public service and administration of justice, these standards are very high, they fail to see the
emolument is a by-product. human in the person. But of course, different standards
apply. It is really up to the person. It is really up to the
The practice of law is not a legal right but a privilege.
complainant if he feels that justice must be served, then
- It can always be taken away from you when you go ahead and file a complaint. This is a very high
do something unethical. A bar candidate can’t standard. At the end of the day, the conscience has to
just practice law simply by passing the bar. It be clear. If your client doesn’t have a chance in court,
can be taken with the mandate of due process. you have to tell him, you have to be honest.
-
Hadjula Vs Madianda (Ac 6711)
CANON 7 - A LAWYER SHALL AT ALL TIMES UPHOLD
THE INTEGRITY AND DIGNITY OF THE LEGAL The moment complainant approached the then
PROFESSION AND SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE receptive respondent to seek legal advice, a veritable
INTEGRATED BAR. lawyer-client relationship evolved between the two.
Such relationship imposes upon the lawyer certain
Rule 7.01 - A lawyer shall be answerable for knowingly restrictions circumscribed by the ethics of the
making a false statement or suppressing a material fact profession. Among the burdens of the relationship is
in connection with his application for admission to the that which enjoins the lawyer, respondent in this
bar. instance, to keep inviolate confidential information
acquired or revealed during legal consultations. The fact
Rule 7.02 - A lawyer shall not support the application that one is, at the end of the day, not inclined to handle
for admission to the bar of any person known by him to the client's case is hardly of consequence. Of little
be unqualified in respect to character, education, or moment, too, is the fact that no formal professional
other relevant attribute. engagement follows the consultation. Nor will it make
any difference that no contract whatsoever was
Rule 7.03 - A lawyer shall not engage in conduct that executed by the parties to memorialize the relationship.
adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law, nor shall
he, whether in public or private life, behave in a As we said inBurbe v. Magulta,6 -
LEGAL COUNSELLING 1ST EXAMINATION REVIEWER 5
Based on the lectures of Atty. Cecilia Angeles
A lawyer-client relationship was established from the CANON 16 - A LAWYER SHALL HOLD IN TRUST ALL
very first moment complainant asked respondent for MONEYS AND PROPERTIES OF HIS CLIENT THAT MAY
legal advise regarding the former's business. To COME INTO HIS POSSESSION.
constitute professional employment, it is not essential
that the client employed the attorney professionally on Rule 16.01 - A lawyer shall account for all money or
any previous occasion. property collected or received for or from the client.
It is not necessary that any retainer be paid, promised, Rule 16.02 - A lawyer shall keep the funds of each client
or charged; neither is it material that the attorney separate and apart from his own and those of others
consulted did not afterward handle the case for which kept by him.
his service had been sought.
Rule 16.03 - A lawyer shall deliver the funds and
It a person, in respect to business affairs or troubles of property of his client when due or upon demand.
any kind, consults a lawyer with a view to obtaining However, he shall have a lien over the funds and may
professional advice or assistance, and the attorney apply so much thereof as may be necessary to satisfy his
voluntarily permits or acquiesces with the consultation, lawful fees and disbursements, giving notice promptly
then the professional employments is established. thereafter to his client. He shall also have a lien to the
same extent on all judgments and executions he has
Likewise, a lawyer-client relationship exists secured for his client as provided for in the Rules of
notwithstanding the close personal relationship Court.
between the lawyer and the complainant or the non-
payment of the former's fees. Rule 16.04 - A lawyer shall not borrow money from his
client unless the client’s interests are fully protected by
Dean Wigmore lists the essential factors to establish the the nature of the case or by independent advice. Neither
existence of the attorney-client privilege shall a lawyer lend money to a client except, when in
communication, viz: the interest of justice; he has to advance necessary
expenses in a legal matter he is handling for the client.
(1) Where legal advice of any kind is sought (2) from a
professional legal adviser in his capacity as such, (3) the You have to take care of your client’s funds. All the
communications relating to that purpose, (4) made in monies must be accounted for. You hold separate
confidence (5) by the client, (6) are at his instance accounts, as a good procedure, it is always good an
permanently protected (7) from disclosure by himself or established separate account. So there would be no
by the legal advisor, (8) except the protection be issues later on.
waived.7
customer, or when a public official's personal And I think that this would be a perfect topic in
interests are contrary to his/her loyalty to your subject of legal ethics where you will discuss more
public business. An attorney, an accountant, a in depth the consequences of violating the ethical
business adviser or realtor cannot represent standards of legal profession.
two parties in a dispute and must avoid even
the appearance of conflict. He/she may not join When a lawyer violates his oath, then what is the legal
with a client in business without making full consequence?
disclosure of his/her potential conflicts, he/she
Instances that is considered practice of law:
must avoid commingling funds with the client,
and never, never take a position adverse to the So, last week, we have mentioned of the case of Burbe
customer) vs Magulta ( Adm. Case No. 99-634, June 10, 2002). It
has mentioned a discussion of what is a practice of law,
-Kristine Quibod-
what constitutes the practice of law. When does a
lawyer and client relationship commence? So, from the
decision of the Supreme Court, it would seem that if a
Legal Counseling person will come to a lawyer, asks for his advice, gives
you all the facts of his case that was filed, with the
(June 25, 2012) intention of getting a legal advice from you, then if you
did not arrived in an agreement, or you did not sign an
Let’s go back to our previous discussion,
agreement, or even if you will say that now, you have to
wherein we have said that practice of law is not a
hire me first before I will give you an advice. Clearly, the
business. It is not a money-making venture. But, at the
rulings of the court say that even the moment you give
end of the day, you must consider the fact that your
him an advice, and this all happened with the
practice must survive the competition. And we have to
knowledge of confidence, then, there exist a lawyer-
remember the fact that we have a family to support. So,
client relationship, immediately.
these things, these are the important considerations to
weigh vis-à-vis the idea that practice of law is not a
business.
Now, what are the instances that are not considered
Unless of course, you go as a government as practice of law?
employee, or corporate lawyering. You know, when you
are a corporate lawyer, you can receive a regular salary, 1. Gratuitous furnishing of legal aid to the poor and
you don’t have to worry about other costs, about your unfortunates who are in pursuit of any civil remedy, as a
employees’ salaries. The salary comes in every month, matter of charity, does not constitute practice of law.
every two weeks of pay period. If you are happy with
that, that would not be a tiresome work. But, for those I dare say that this is debatable. Even an
who would like to start on their own, they have a lot of indigent client deserves a good legal advice. They
things to think about. expect that when they have a lawyer, that such lawyer
has such skills. So, you cannot, just turn around and say,
Practice is not a right, rather a privilege. That is that this is all charity, so, there is no lawyer-client
why we have a lot of ethics, rules, ethical rules, and you relationship.
also talk about professional responsibility. And if you fall
short of these professional responsibilities, or you So, I think that this point here is debatable. For
violate these ethical standards set to your profession, example that you are a lawyer, people will come to you
you can be held liable criminally, and that your practice and they will pay you. You must render the same equal
of law can be suspended or you will be denied in the effort and service to your clients who are indigent and
practice of law. It is a privilege subject to the mandate those that can pay well.
of the due process. Of course, you will be given a
2. The mere search for records of realty to ascertain
chance to explain and defend yourself.
what they may disclose without giving any opinion or
LEGAL COUNSELLING 1ST EXAMINATION REVIEWER 7
Based on the lectures of Atty. Cecilia Angeles
advice as to the legal effects of what may be found, and you are not collecting an attorney’s fees, you better
does not constitute practice of law. stop being a lawyer. You have intellectual property. The
advice that you give to your clients is considered as
intellectual property. You have to attach a value to your
intellectual property. Who determines the value? You
So, you said to a client or a friend, a friend who
yourself. If you think that you gave your client a very
knows that you are a lawyer. Your friend will say, can
good advice, then you have to collect an attorney’s fees.
you send somebody who can check the status of the
Even advice on telephone calls, some of the lawyers do
title in the Register of Deeds. Whether the property has
not want to give their personal numbers, because there
been mortgaged or not? Whether the title is clean or
are clients who will sometimes call, and ask for
not. So, you send your staff, or you yourself will go
questions and even tell stories. They assume that
directly to the ROD. That alone is not a practice of law.
because they did not go to the office, the lawyer will
As long as you are not giving legal advice as to the legal
not charge. So, if you are the lawyer, you can send them
effects of the document.
an invoice, saying, “conversation, so and so, date, and
Like when you say that this title has an the amount”, then you send it to the client.
encumbrance. So, what are we going to do attorney?
Of course, not all clients are like the ones who go to
So, you’ll give an advice, like you have to institute a case
your office, have some chit chat, but somehow, they
to clean the title, or how to get rid of an encumbrance.
are actually fishing for some legal advice. But, there are
That is already giving a legal advice, and a lawyer-client
also good paying clients, and that you have to take care
relationship already arises. You are already practicing
of these paying clients.
law.
A big law firm composed of 15-20 lawyers, in the states, a. You’re the own boss, you have to log in or out.
a big law firm, nationwide, may be around 500 lawyers;
a mid-size lawyer may be around a hundred lawyers, a b. working hour is manageable
small size lawyer, maybe around, 5 to 10 lawyers.
You can go to the office any time you want.
Like you are the one who applies for certification, other
documents and papers. That is why new bar passers do Some of the more complicated partnerships, they invest
not go to solo practice immediately. so much that they get points out of this invested. So
they can argue that I brought this much client, thus, I
LEGAL COUNSELLING 1ST EXAMINATION REVIEWER 10
Based on the lectures of Atty. Cecilia Angeles
got this much points, and then, you can demand a Then, you may need a marketing professional, if
higher pay. The points will be the basis of your share. necessary, who will be assigned in communications and
That is if you are a partner. If you are an associate, you in bringing more clients. Advertising is not supposed to
have a fixed salary as an associate. be ethical, but there are ways in going around that. You
can be creative. Sometimes, we lawyers we tend to be
modest of our achievements, but if you have four
children to send to Ateneo de Davao, you need a lot of
In other law firms they have an agreement as to where
money. While young, you must be more aggressive, you
will the money from the notarial funds go, usually, it is
must be out there presenting yourself, you must bring
placed in the common funds of the partnership. So if
in more clients, because this will translate to income,
you are a ten-lawyer firm, you have to make sure that
people engaging your services.
you have an organized structure. Somebody has to be
assigned as to the day-to-day operation, so someone
has to be a managing partner. The managing partner
oversees the money of the firm, the overall person. You won’t like to turn down any client. You deal with
one case, and then you develop such expertise. It is
manner of presenting yourself. Wrapping yourself, not
with myth, but you can study each case. You learn as
Then you have to have a human resource partner, not
you go along.
somebody who has a Ph D in human resource, just
someone who will address the concern as to human
resources. He will oversee the appointment of staff,
how to dress in the office. This may not be a legal
concern, but this boils down to the core of the office.
Happy office, happy staff. 3. Joining a corporate law department
Then we have a general counsel, or somebody who will Option of being a legal officer in corporation law
oversee if there are conflicts of interests in handling the department, we are talking about corporations. Like in
cases. If there are conflicts of interest, he shall be the Coca-Cola, they have external counsel. When they think
one to decide on who will handle the case or represent that they will need a lot of lobbying, they tap partners
the client. who are prominent in the society, or have lobbying
powers. But such corporations have their internal
counsel or general counsel.
Every corporate law department adopts a 2.isolation of many corporate lawyers from
system by which lawyer’s work is assigned. The professional contacts outside the company
corporate policy must be to comply with the and busily engaged in its daily routine as to
law as the law department construes it and all lose lawyer’s sense of proportion of
officers and other management employees and craftsmanship in approaching legal
all the lawyers in the law department must problems and to substitute off-the-cuff
know this is to be the case (O’meana, 12 the impressions
Business Lawyer)
Does it present a neat appearance? Are the files Do you discard obsolete books? You may keep
properly set aside/organized? old books for reference but have an updated
copies
Is there an ample room? Every inch of your real
property must be utilized. Have a space to walk Are books maintained in good repair. But with
around. the advent of e-books or other software you
can have them. But iba ang dating ng physical
Is the ventilation adequate? The aircon is books than an e-book especially in dealing with
functioning or at least with an electric fan clients.
Are walls attractively decorated? This will show Equipment – (typewriters, adding machine,
your personality. Try to avoid cutie cutie stuff. computers, photocopiers). For photocopiers, if
They would be nice if they are just accent in a you buy it, you will be stack with that machine
table. They are okay for a pediatrician. Just put forever and pay a repairman if there is a need. If
paintings (even a reproduction) with nice you just rent, its kind a expensive but at least
frames. To show that you a professional lawyer. you are assured that they will maintain it daily
and update for a new version when you renew
Are offices cleaned regularly? If you enter a your contracts. In my experience, big law firms
lease agreement you should ask if they provide tent to rent photocopy machines. They treat it
someone to clean the office or it is you who like just water and light. They want the latest
have to be responsible for that technology and not stack with the machine. You
can replace it whenever you want.
Do you provide for drinking water facilities for
the client and staff? If a beauty parlor can For your computers or wifi, you need it since internet is
provide for iced tea, no reason that a law office part of an office already. A big chunk of your work is
cannot do so. Tell your assistant to offer the lessened by internet and you work efficiently. You also
client something to drink especially if they have need adding machines, and typewriters. Whether you
to wait. like it or not, you need typewriters. Especially
government forms which can only be filled by
Parking facilities. typewriters but at least an electric typewriters.
Washroom faculties. Inter office communication – fax machine,
scanner because some clients do scan
Reading materials ( legitimate newspaper or
documents and send thru email. You have to be
others)
fast, technologically updated.
Have a conference room to discuss confidential
Technologically compatible – software for huge
matter. Remember the rule on confidentiality of
document like advance adobe program for
agreement between you and client. Your staff
scanning and storing data. You can do a lot of
must sign a confidentiality agreement. Warned
things with that software for easy retrieval of
them that if confidential matters leak, they may
voluminous data.
be held liable too. Make your staff aware that
information that comes to the office especial Software on accounting, book keeping.
from clients must be treated with utmost
confidentiality. Train your staff to be accommodating (like “ay
dili man na mahimo mam/sir”) staff should be
Library – for your SCRA, law books. Even just a trained to become problem solver. Try to do
small table with book case. something out of the box.
LEGAL COUNSELLING 1ST EXAMINATION REVIEWER 14
Based on the lectures of Atty. Cecilia Angeles
o Major categories of files: Accounting files - You have to know your accounting
files if you’re earning or not. So that you know your
Client files collectibles or how much your payables are. Some big
firms have chief financial officers, they are not lawyers.
Accounting files They just look into your performance if you’re earning
money for the firm or having problematic accounts.
Admin files
• Separate from the accounts folder. You have to
have a book keeper to check your payables or
receivables. Do not make your assistant your
If you have a good and efficient secretary it would take
book keeper baka maging hawak ka nya sa leeg.
half a load off your back. You will just think on your
legal issues. A good assistant will always keep track of
• Office accounting for clients. Always deposit
the deadlines, billings and others. You don’t have to
any money that coming in. Account all funds
think of those things.
especially client money.
• Personnel folder – must sign confidentiality of Supreme court decision – you can buy software
agreement; depending on how efficient the for some providers
organization should be.
Word processer - for templates etc
• Membership in professional organization – IBP,
or other local chapters. Billing
Must set up calendar system in the office. This Express or implied, verbal or written
is for deadlines, schedule for the day or week or
appearances in court. So that you assistant can In case of series of work for the client
monitor you.
Discharged without cause: entitled to full compensation
This could be done electronically.
With cause: not entitled to compensation either under
Deadline for pleadings must also be monitored. contract or basis of quantum meruit
Arranged according to the most pressing.
If abandons case or withdraws without justifiable cause
The following week’s schedule should be before its termination, unless with consent of client
finalized on the Friday of the previous week and
this shall be given to lawyer. Usually the
secretary print the calendar on the Thursday so
that on the Friday the lawyer knows his Contingent fee contract
schedule and he can make use of the weekend
if there is a need rush something. The assistant As long as contract is not tainted with fraud, undue
must know your schedule influence, mistake or suppresion of facts on the part of
the lwyer terms of contract shall be implemented
against the portion of the client's property subject of
LEGAL COUNSELLING 1ST EXAMINATION REVIEWER 16
Based on the lectures of Atty. Cecilia Angeles
the contract but only if the suit or litigtion is favorble to Establish targets: identify types of works and clients,
the client and identify specific audiences and communities that
will allow the interface with the lawyer
Expenses to be incured in erfecting an appeal, Support execution- report back and follow-through
preparation of appeal briefs,
2. Place: a question of access, physical access, also sure the client is satisfied with this
consider the internet (this has re arrangement; misunderstanding must
be clarified right away
Defined physical acess)
When building your business strategies, keep in mind o Doing a good job not enough;
the client perspective foremost in both delivering and
marketing our legal services
The practives of law is a business and pleasing the There are some lawyers come in different sizes, there
customer benefits the customer and lawyer. are lawyers very gorgeous, very dignified, there is also
like the justice secretary (I suggest not to follow her )
you don’t have to advertised that you are a lawyer very
stiff even with wearing scrap but I do like scrap but
-Raia Tumanda- since Sec De Lima wear it every time I will find another
accessory.
Legal Counselling
August 6, 2012
Men lawyers who like to sa end pa langng hall of justice
Keeping Clients
shouting agadpanyero, there are lawyers paluoi2x
langug dating, you know if you are a lawyer you should
be able to stand up and have that confident personality
- Protect and nurture the relationship but not to the point of being boastful.
o Client is boss
o Define relationship from the start, Your behaviour and appearance really matters in
things you will do and do not do; make dealing with the client, do you inspire the client? Do you
LEGAL COUNSELLING 1ST EXAMINATION REVIEWER 18
Based on the lectures of Atty. Cecilia Angeles
appear like the client trust you? Do you have clean mgenglish2x, pgbinasaya sad what is important is that
finger nails? All this class will matter so you need to be he understands you.
professional in your appearance, bakanaman you went
to the office perohindinakaplantsaanginyong polo &
barong so it is not enough to do a good job.
Promptness is also important, do not procrastinate
because we lawyers we live by deadlines. So lawyers
their professional life run by deadlines so do not
Example meronka motion din you are with your client in procrastinate. Some lawyers pag-early pa dli pa
the court pro sasabihinng client mabaho man siAttyoi, mgworkang mind then pag4pm nadhanamgcge dictate
panalongaang motion mo pro sa secretary so who suffers from the pressure of the
nahirapannamnhumingaang client so doing a good job deadline? You poor secretary suffers because eventually
is not enough. she would be the one typing or filing so that is unfair!
Human nature always calls for sympathy, so when you Courtesy. We Filipinos it is not innate in us namagthank
go to doctors din you are explaining already lahatng you paranganghirapngmgthank you bah. But if it is with
feelings mo pro parangwlalng so mainiskatalaga so dpat the client you have to be courteous.
you must be sympathetic to your client.
Whether you like it or not you cannot say that when the
o Friendliness; promptness (no client is calling in 11pm you will end the call, yun pa
procrastination); courtesy, respect for naman client who are calling because they need
clients; business-like attitude; something or they remember something to tell you all
of the sudden, you have to answer it because some
consideration in keeping the clients informed or client will be irritated because they think they are
updated; paying but they cannot reach you. But of course after
you answer the call you can say to your client that such
matter can be attended in the nest day such be made in
a very polite and diplomatic matter.
Friendliness is very important. Kung ang client mo finds
it so hard to express himself in English wag karinnaman
LEGAL COUNSELLING 1ST EXAMINATION REVIEWER 19
Based on the lectures of Atty. Cecilia Angeles
You may discuss the clients with the status of the case
o Update of case or matter subject of like after six months there is a possibility of entering
retainership into compromise with the adverse party, you should
discuss this with the client. You should not say
natapusintalaga naming ang case bapanalotayo, pro
talonamansyasaattys fees. So to be fair and to show
So say what is there is nothing going on the case, you your client that you are in good faith you must discuss
still send the client about the status of the case this with him.
Let us say after the hearing this week you must send o Bringing client abreast of development
client a status letter regarding the status of the case. in area concern
The whole point of sending the client letters so that This is true with specially to the corporate clients like
your client will be impressed of your industry and of their area of business are politically sensitive, like a
course with the industry comes the billing statement. mining firms, so the lawyers should keep track with
regards to the bills in congress. So if your client is a big
entity and it seems that they will affected by legislation,
by local legislation like zoning you have to tell your
o Prompt response to inquiries (re
client that is part of your service. Especially if you are
billing; status of the case)
the retainer of the client.
Do not think that keeping the client only your office but there are also are so particular of the offices.
relationship with him that matters, it is not, it should be Make sure there is a room there wherein you can make
the whole office. So kungang assistant conversation without being heard by the entire office.
momasyadongmabagal that will reflect on you right? So
make you’re your assistant/staff are properly train they - Rosalie Nuneza-
must know and appreciate the kind of pressure that
they have and they must be courteous, respectful and
must know the confidential nature of the nature of the
work.
Now, when you get to be out there playing golf, but you
ought to be reachable by your assistant. You cannot just
leave your phone in the clubhouse because that is not
good your client might go crazy trying to reach you. So
for as long as there is a signal you must be reached.
Make sure that you should answer the text messages of
your client you may be not personally answered it but
you can ask your assistant to answer for you.