Legal profession is not a charity
and cost N7,000 – N10,000 in another boutique on the mainland and both buyers would derive the same satisfaction of wearing a prestigious shirt. What makes the same shirt with the same quality sell for different prices at different shops? One can only conclude that it is how well packaged a product is that determines […]
and cost N7,000 – N10,000 in another boutique on the mainland and both buyers would derive the same satisfaction of wearing a prestigious shirt. What makes the same shirt with the same quality sell for different prices at different shops? One can only conclude that it is how well packaged a product is that determines its value.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines packaging to mean “material used to cover a product that is sold in the shop: packaging adds to the cost…” relating to the article, the material used to cover a product to increase the price of such product is our issue for discussion, (‘material’ not used literally). The material used to influence prices ranges from one seller to another; one seller can be comfortable selling his goods on a street shed as long as he makes profit from his sale, another seller with better marketing strategy would sell his goods in an environment comfortable to both buyer and seller, like providing a fully air-conditioned shop, couch for sitting, a pretty sales girl at the counter, etcetera, all with intention to make the buyer purchase his goods at a higher price.
The legal profession being a unique field, sells a product that is not tangible (it cannot be seen or touched) i.e legal skills. What a lawyer sells to the general populace is his services which cannot be quantified in monetary terms, as such the prices of a lawyer’s legal skill would vary from one lawyer to another. The material used to increase the price of services rendered in this noble profession goes beyond just providing a comfortable environment to interact with clients, it also involves the possessor of such skill, the legal practitioner himself.
This peculiar situation in legal practice makes it difficult for a young lawyer to put a price tag on the services he renders; the first obstacle being the clients and his immediate environ not having enough confidence in a young lawyer’s ability to do the job. The other day my mum asked if I talked on my own in court; another relative asked if I could apply for police bail for a person arrested. Secondly, the young lawyer is placed at a crossroads, whether to charge high or little for services rendered.
A young lawyer usually gets this tingling of fear that the client might get scared and find another legal representative. Most young lawyers due to the pressure from the society underrate their legal skill and charge very little, then they find themselves in a situation where the work load far outweighs the reward.
A young lawyer who finds himself in this quagmire should ensure that the right value is attached to his services, it has been rightly said and I concur that “the way one is dressed so he is addressed”. A young lawyer who looks hungry, desperate and frustrated cannot complain when a client approaches him in like manner. Looking good is good business. One paramount material used to attach value to the services of a lawyer is looking tidy and organised. The challenges of the legal profession should not be reflected in the way a young lawyer dresses.
One cannot give what he doesn’t have, the society doesn’t believe a young lawyer is up to the legal task, the onus is then on the young lawyer to prove his worth in every opportunity that presents itself. Exude confidence in all manner of interaction with the society to prove that it is in you. Do not belittle the profession in the midst of lay men, continuous free legal service to friends also contributes in undermining the true worth of a young lawyer; the legal profession is not a charitable organisation. A young lawyer should insist that services rendered are paid for. No service is too small to charge for; even writing letters on behalf of clients can fetch a young lawyer something.
Another important material that would help add value to the services of a young lawyer is good communication skills, i.e the ability to adequately receive and share information to clients and on behalf of clients without being misunderstood. The essence of communication is understanding, where understanding is lacking the speaker is just making noise.
Packaging pays though not immediately, thus to make any meaningful impact, a young lawyer must be consistent in the act, it shouldn’t be temporary because the turf is tough but a lifelong act as a gentleman of the BAR, just consciously established, extends and protects your image.
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