“BE THE BEACON OF LIGHT IN SOMEONE’S DARKNESS”, Abraham Maslow
By: Roger Brothers, Brothers Smith LLP
In these trying times, I believe that it is extremely important for attorneys to act truly as “counselors at law”. Many of our clients are experiencing trials and tribulations never seen, let alone expected, in the past. They are feeling adrift, uncertain, apprehensive, anxious and, in some cases, downright scared regarding not only their current situation but also what the future may or may not hold for them.
As attorneys and counselors, we need to appreciate and understand the vast array of issues and concerns that our clients are facing and having to contend with. More importantly, we need to be empathetic of the “new normality” and its far-reaching impacts. Now, perhaps more than ever in our practices, we need to be the voice of not only reason, but of reassurance and guidance. Our roles have expanded, or will likely expand, beyond serving as legal advisors and advocates. Perhaps, we are being asked to advise on general matters that, while pertaining to our services as attorneys, extend beyond the law. These may include business assessments, both current and anticipated, family relationships, financial considerations, etc.
Over the last several months, we have been handling many matters that started out consisting of fairly routine legal issues, but quickly morphed into much more. How do you prepare to furlough or lay-off your best friend, your cousin or a 20-year loyal employee? Under what circumstances and in what manner, should you approach your long-time landlord about a rent reduction, deferral or early lease termination? When do you consider reaching out to your fiercest competitor about a potential acquisition of your business? These matters do not involve a legal issue or necessarily require an in-depth legal analysis. Instead, they require careful consideration and straightforward discussion of the multitude of issues with which the client is dealing that were most likely never foreseen; thus highlighting the importance of recognizing your duties as a counselor in your role as an attorney.
The legal profession and its members need to embrace our new roles and to recognize that we are being looked to in many instance to think and analyze beyond the law and provide a larger than usual measure of compassion, requiring responsive action that will likely be broader and deeper in meaning than what we have traditionally been expected to provide. We must truly work to become the “beacon of light in someone’s darkness”.