Jaw Dropping Comment about Attorney Plea Mill-ing

This is a comment from SweeThorn.ning.com in response to the discussion about attorneys who wholesale, bottom feed, plea mill, etc. . .  This is a must share. Got permission to re-post this from our member.

As one who has worked in law offices I indeed know what these terms mean. I have mixed feelings that lawyers operate using some of these methods. It used to be the standard practice of attorneys to quote fees to clients and expect payment to be made before the attorney actually began representation. They often commanded fees that required clients to make a substantial loan from the bank or other lending institution. Today there are lawyers on every corner which makes the bidding for clients more competitive, thus bringing fees down; a boon for the client. The lawyers are having a hard time accepting this change as it directly affects their income. The majority of them absolutely refuse to lower their fees and are starving because of it. Those that do accept cases at a reduced fee don’t always properly represent the client as they feel as if they are not being paid for full service, thereby doing the client a disservice. The attorneys are also resentful that they have to set up payment plans; yet another reason to not do your best such as seeking a plea (often not even the best plea that could be negotiated with the DA’s office.) A pleas means far less work as no trial is involved.

“Bottom Feeding”, the targeting of criminal defense clients, is slow to be accepted in the state as this takes extensive interaction and intense work on the part of the attorney and the legal staff to make this work. By tradition lawyers are not hard workers they just feel entitled because of the traditions of the profession. Except for a chosen few, thta day is over and the practice of law has to be operated same as any other business. There must be professional customer service by the legal staff, several avenues of advertisement (not just bill boards and the yellow pages, but also internet and direct mail to name a couple), client accesible attorneys and above all some real work and genuine interests in defending the client to the best of the ability of lawyer and staff.

In other words lawyers must be RAINMAKERS and make it happen for the client.

I see nothing wrong with being a “Case Wholesaler”. After all if an attorney is a successful rainmaker the practice will have more work than it can possibly do. So case referrals to colleagues of high standards and values would be the way to go. Still revenue for the referring firm!

I am sure that the average citizen is not aware of how the system works so I would advise anyone seeking legal advise to do your homework.

Always a blessing to share, Dream your world

Members of the the exchange are free to give opinions with no judgment. Join and share your opinion of the legal system.