LAW OFFICE THAT CATERS ALL CASES (No specialization)

1. Attitude to clients, boss, colleagues and subordinates.

-treat them with humility

How?

(With respect to your boss)

- paralegal who is punctual
- if entrusted with a task, make sure to be done with it at the time
agreed upon
- do not be sensitive (‘wag balat sibuyas)

(With respect to your colleagues and subordinates)

- Treat them with humility and respect

(With respect to your clients)

- Treat them in a respectful manner (kahit makulit) (regardless if
they are paying or non-paying clients)
- Explain things to them in a manner that they would understand
because they look at how you treat them
NOTE: Their experience with you will serve as a recommendation to
other clients.

2. Consultation with clients

- Kung ano ang tanong, ‘yun lang ang sagot dapat
- There will be clients who will just canvass (to see which law firm
they can hire for lesser fee) and not hire you per se, so don’t
disclose anything or answer questions not asked.
- Cut the irrelevant conversation in a nice manner and focus on the
real issue.

NOTE: It’s not bad to canvass, but based on Dean’s experience, the
fact that they can hire the firm for a lesser fee is only secondary to the
fact that the firm has a great reputation based on the word of mouth
of other past clients

- Be sincere in telling them about the chances of their case. Don’t

sugarcoat.

What to do when assigned with a case? (NEW CASE)

1. Get the facts of the case.

 - Ask the client to write down everything she knows about the case in
details.
- Ask the client about the truth (if he committed it or not) in order to
know you’re the angle of your defense.
- Ask supporting documents. (Salaysay) To serve as guide and proof
of what was said.
- If making a COUNTER AFFIDAVIT in a criminal case, address every
allegation in the COMPLAINT AFFIDAVIT.
- If making a COMPALINT AFFIDAVIT, allege all the facts.
- If needed, ask client to produce other supporting documents.

2. Prepare a draft pleading.

- You will not start from scratch. Law firms usually already has a
format.

3. Research
- Start with the latest jurisprudence
- Include dismissed cases as a guide and to make sure that mistakes
will not be repeated.

JUDICIAL AFFIDAVIT
- mandatory requirements for Civil Cases
- and in Criminal case when there involves a claim for damages

Preparation of a COMPLAINT-AFFIDAVIT
- Know personal circumstances of the complainants and the
witnesses.
- May ask the complainant and the witnesses to write the facts of the
case.
- The crime and all the elements of the crime must be stated.
- Match the elements to the allegations in the affidavit
- Consider the defense that may be used by the other party
- Research for jurisprudence
- The corroborating witnesses’ affidavit must also be executed in such
a way that it would help the complainant it his case
-

How to choose witnesses?

- choose those which are material to your case.
- Hindi paramihan ng witnesses.