My partner, Bob Grode, and I just lectured at a seminar about how to deal with "Rambo" litigators. The seminar was geared to attorneys for the purpose of counteracting the unethical and uncivil tactics used by such litigators, but there are important lessons for those looking for a lawyer, as well.
There is a common MISperception in the public that the "Rambo" or "pit bull" litigator is a good thing, and that those types of litigators are more successful than others. That's a myth. The reality is that such litigators 1) act like that because the are more interested in soaking their client for fees than in actually getting a good result, 2) engage in such tactics to leverage a settlement because they are terrified of actually having to go to trial, and 3) are less successful than attorneys that follow the rules and know the law.
In the unlikely event that you can get such a lawyer to actually go to trial, you will probably find that he or she is nervous, arrogant, and offensive to a jury. Most successful lawyers don't have to stoop to such bush-league tactics to get a fair result for their clients. At Lilly, O'Toole & Brown, we don't need to engage in "Rambo" litigation to get good results for our clients. No result can be guaranteed, but take a look at our case results to see for yourself. Also, consider that four of our attorneys are board-certified civil trial lawyers, which means we actually go to trial for our clients, if necessary.
Don't let media misperceptions cloud your judgment when choosing a lawyer. Juries are made up of people just like you, and they want to hear the truth, not a lot of rhetoric, spin and misdirection.
At Lilly, O'Toole & Brown, we respect our clients and the legal process, and we are not afraid to go to bat for our clients at trial. That -- and not being a blustering, wind-bag "Rambo" -- is the key to success and good results.
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