Should a Lawyer Predict the Outcome or Result in a Case?
It is not uncommon for a prospective client and, for that matter, even an existing client, to inquire as to the likely result(s) in the handling of their case.
It is simply unwise to predict an outcome or even worse to speculate on what can be expected. I do not predict the expected or anticipated result without first doing the required work-up. Moreover and even after performing the necessary case evaluation, factual and legal analysis, and requisite strategy, I still need to prepare and execute a complete plan of action.
It seems reasonable to state there being over 215 five-star client reviews and endorsements from lawyers all over California and the United States; having earned the “Client’s Choice Award” for ten (10) years in a row since 2007; having served as a Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice between 2000 through 2008 as a prosecution lawyer at the Attorney General’s Office; and, since that time, concentrated my law practice on the defense side of cases with tested protocols we utilize that have produced a winning record.
As a lawyer, there are two guiding and profound principles that are etched in my brain; they are an integral part of my thought process, and have been my approach for four decades: “what I don’t know, I don’t know.” There is a second I learned from the first day at Loyola Law School: “when you think you will win, you will likely lose.” In short, I practice law without bravado, and I am better for it because I try harder and work longer to find every possible way to develop a defense. Often, and even more important, is my highly effective practice to establish and develop a compelling and comprehensive “offensive strategy” [for those who know the world of sports, it has been said that more points are obtained by the offense plays that are made].
We find it priceless to first obtain all of the evidence, which is commonly referred to as the “discovery” from the Deputy District Attorney or Assistant U.S. Attorney in a criminal case; the Deputy Attorney General handling a professional or occupational license matter; and, the Department or Bureau Legal Counsel handling the prosecution case. The next step is to thoroughly review and fully analyze the prosecution evidence [this process cannot be done in an office interview with a client or on the telephone]. Some lawyers may do this quickly, however, there is too great a risk that one might overlook a legally significant fact, if not much more. The next step is to request and initially obtain a lengthy written rebuttal from our client, which at times is 10, 20, or even far more pages in length; we do not rely upon an abbreviated version that would only be possible during a teleconference or even an office meeting. There are multiple other steps as part of my law firm’s protocol before I and/or my colleagues are able to fully understand a case and then to establish an appropriate plan of action. We simply do not provide legal advice with less; we do not predict a result nor do we gamble on the outcome.
In addition, it has been my practice to utilize forensic experts [the trial science] because only through an expert evaluation can a lawyer know what is truly the standard practice that is relevant to a specific set of facts. Even though I spent over seven (7) years serving as a Deputy Attorney General and nearly four decades as a Professional License Defense Lawyer, I do not speculate on how to obtain a winning result. My clients deserve more! In summary, I tell prospective clients: “I cannot predict a result, and no experienced lawyer can do so without a thorough examination of all of the facts and applicable legal principles.” Most importantly, “the more time and work performed, the greater opportunity for a better result.”
For your complimentary attorney teleconference, call Spital and Associates at 619.583.0350. It is even more helpful for you to visit the Contact Us page of this website and send an email with the details of your situation, information and questions you have, along with the desired action you wish a lawyer to take on your behalf; notably, it will be answered by Sam Spital, Managing Lawyer who will contact you in order to discuss the options, alternatives and steps in order to obtain your personal lawyer to level the playing field, and protect your rights and advance your interests.