LEGAL COUNSELING

AND SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
 ATTY. ARIEL RUIZ
District Attorney of PAO, Taguig

 1 year after passing the bar, Atty. Ruiz joined the Public Attorney’s Office in 2010.
 His first designation or assignment is in Taguig District.
 He started as Public Attorney I.
 He is now a District Attorney, supervising lawyers since 2014.
 What are your duties as PAO lawyer, when you
started as Public Attorney I in 2010?
 Walk-in
 Court duties
 Mediation or Conference
 What are your duties as PAO lawyer now
that you are a District Attorney
 Supervising Lawyers
 What are the advantages and
disadvantages of being a PAO lawyer
 Advantages: You get paid by the Government and you get to help, most especially those
who cannot afford to pay for legal services.
 Public Service/Government Service: Helping others is priceless

 Disadvantages:
 It affects your social life
 You need to work almost 24/7
 But eventually what you thought as a disadvantage, will work on your advantage
 What are the instances wherein you apply legal
counseling in your work as PAO lawyer?

 During “walk-in” duties

 During court duties
 When a person is detained
 During conference or mediation
 Example: a case involving husband and wife under R.A. 9262
 As supervisor to lawyers (staff)
 How do you give legal counseling to your clients?
 Know and study the case of your client
 Do your research for options and remedies under the law
 The approach when it comes to dealing with your client would depend on the type of your
client
 Communication is important
 There is no fixed rule in dealing with your client
 Experience as national and business reporter (corporate and insurance-related
matters)
 Handling irate/angry clients – patience, understanding, and strategy
 How to handle if you are not well-versed with the client’s case
 Be honest with your clients; you may ask for additional time to study the complicated case
of your client
 Consult your colleagues
 Always be sincere and honest to your client
 Is volume of work as PAO lawyer affects the
manner of how you give legal counseling to your
clients?
 Minimum of 20 cases per day; Most of the time 40-50 cases per day
 Time management
 You have to adjust yourself to the situation
 Right mindset is very important
 Are there any legal counseling-related
seminars or trainings that you attend?
 PAO offers various seminars and training
 Do your research
 Experience is the best teacher
 How you will deal and communicate with your clients affects your effective legal counseling
 Practice to communicate
 “Walk-in duties”/ impromptu
 Were there instances that you have given a
wrong legal advice? How did you handle that?

 Lack of necessary documents

 Interview sheet
 Contact details of the client
 Be always ready think of remedies
 Do your research
 Read again books and jurisprudence
 Consult your colleagues