Thread by @aeckay

Survival tips for young struggling lawyers in Nigeria.

You might not be able to compete with the bad guys in the industry for now..

But you will be able to eat and eventually save up to buy a car.
And maybe get married if you are into that kind of thing.

Thread.

When going to meet a client and you can’t afford a taxi, be sure to leave early and get the front seat of the bus so your suit is not badly rumpled.

Also, don’t forget to alight a few yards to the client’s bustop.
So you can rearrange yourself and confidently walk to the client.

During negotiations, give your discounts in percentages.
Helps you sound more put together and sophisticated.

Also, you are not selling pepper.
Don’t throw in a figure with the hope of dropping to something way lower.

Think of the least you can charge and maybe add 25% - 50%.

Invest in handkerchiefs and tiny perfume bottles.

Don’t look like what you are going through.

Always remember, no one is ready to pay someone to move them from one economic class to the other.

So if you look like 100k will change your life, they won’t pay you

This might not sound right but if you ever have any client by the balls, squeeze it.

They always prefer the lawyers that squeeze their balls.
Lawyer and client relationships are like BDSM.
There must be a dominant party.

If you aren’t firm, they have a firm lawyer somewhere.

Also, always remember that no one is trying to help you.
If someone comes to you, it’s because they can’t help themselves.

There are majorly two sets of people that patronize lawyers in Nigeria, people in trouble, people that have been in trouble before.

Use your head

Also, don’t be afraid to tell a client, “I’d have to get back to you on that”

It’s better than blabbing and rambling.

Most clients have either researched or spoken to other lawyers before they come to you.

Don’t represent yourself as ignorant or desperate to make a point

“Customer is always right”
Doesn’t apply to Lawyers.
What you have is a client and not a customer. Never forget.

Make sure to tell your client all the options available to him, tell him your preferred option and ask him to make a choice.

The tell him the demerits of the choice.

I always say this.
NEVER HESITATE TO OUTSOURCE!!

Don’t try to do all the work and do rubbish.
What you don’t understand, give another lawyer.

The advantage of being a lawyer is that you know many other lawyers.

Surcharge the client, pay another lawyer and keep some change.

@threadreaderapp kind unroll..