Love Litigating Lawyer's Day - NOT

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By Diane Forrest

I love watching old Matlock and Perry Mason reruns.  Every now and then I like watching Law and Order.  Every Day I go spend an hour with my fathrer and watch Judge Judy.  You would think that I really like lawyers. Over the past 17 years I have been dealing with lawyers none stop.  And one thing I can say without a doubt, I do not love lawyers!

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It is not fair to lump them all in the same category.  In fact when I was younger, I wanted to be a lawyer.  My father would not pay for me to go to law school.  He told me that it was because he didn't want to be embarrassed when someone asked what I did for a living. There have been a couple of lawyers in my family.  I never met them, but heard stories.

Lawyers are beneficial to the protection of rights for the public.  I have been dealing with worker's compensation lawyers since my husband became injured in 1995.  Some of the attorneys he had actually helped him get the things necessary for his injury, however many did not.  Many of the lawyers we encountered were only concerned about how they would benefit if they helped him.  I guess I can understand their predicaments.  After all that is how they earn a living, and provide for their families.

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While we may make frequent lawyer jokes, the fact remains, that if you need assistance, they will help to get you out of a jam.

Lawyers can assist you with estate issues, divorces, if you are injured, or bankrupt.  If you are wrongly accused of a crime or other injustice, they are there on your side as well.

My father always brags that he has never had to use an attorney, but he has.  You need one to file a will or even buy a house.

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Today is Love Litigating Lawyer's Day.  I couldn't find where this day originated, however it was suggested that every profession had to have a day, whether we liked it or not, and today is the day for Lawyers. While they may not be at the top of your list of favorite people, remember they are there to protect you when the chips are down.  So today, give your lawyer a call, and let him know you appreciate the work he does on your behalf.  If you don't have a lawyer, maybe you know one as a friend.  Everyone, even lawyers, deserves a pat on the back and a "Well Done!"  So...while it may just be "The luck of the Spin" that gave them this day, try to give them some thanks for the good they have done.

Love Litigating Lawyers Day

By Diane Forrest,

When I checked the assignment sheet for today I had to laugh!  I just knew the boss was playing some sort of weird joke on me.   You see...today is Love Litigating Lawyers Day, formerly known as Lawyer Appreciation Day.  Strange as it might seem, I had alot of trouble researching this topic.  I found countless lawyer jokes, none of them loving though.  There were many horror stories, but none showing appreciation.  In 1993 the first Lawyer Appreciation Day was held, however, the turnout was not favorable.

In order to love litigating lawyers, you must first know what a litigating lawyer is.  A litigating attorney is one who sees a law suit through the court process.  While some attorneys prefer to settle out of court,, others practice Criminal law,  litigators focus exclusively on law suits.

Litigators usually practice in personal injury cases.  These cases take a long time, and are very detailed.  Most work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they don't get paid unless they win your case.  If they win, then they get a percentage anywhere between 25 to 45%.  If a lawyer takes your case, they are pretty certain they can win and award in your favor.  The reason I found this topic so amusing is because for the past 15 years my husband and I have had to deal with several attorneys over his worker's compensation injury.  But, that is another story for another day.

While researching this topic, I found several Lawyer jokes, which made me think lawyers are not well loved.  However there are some lawyers who have claimed public affections.  Some of these include:

• Perry Mason
• Matlock
• Ally McBeal

Television shows such as:

• Law and Order, Criminal Intent, and Special Victims
• The Practice
• Boston Legal
• Jag
• Judging Amy

Movies such as:

• A few good Men
• My Cousin Vinny
• The Lincoln Lawyer
• The Firm
• The Rainmaker
• A Time to Kill

Of course these are just a small few, and there are new ones out all the time.  The truth is, while lawyers may not be loved, when you find yourself in trouble, they are good to have on your side.  So while you may not love a litigating lawyer today, try to muster up a little “Like” for them.

That might be a stretch...

Thanks Diane