Adversaries Can Make Great Referral Sources - Above the Law

"This adversary made threats, exaggerated claims, and employed other tactics that were not pleasant to me and the other stakeholders to the matter we handled. I did not have the best relationship with this adversary. Although I try to maintain solid connections with adversaries since it is the right thing to do and can make my job easier, the escalations undertaken by this adversary took a toll on our working relationship."

"To my surprise, toward the end of my representation, the adversary reached out to me and inquired if I knew a lawyer in a different jurisdiction that could handle a given matter. I related that I was familiar with these types of cases, and I was licensed in the given jurisdiction, and after the instant matter fully concluded, I could take a look at the case for which this other lawyer needed to refer."

"Once the prior representation ended, I researched this new matter, and I handled that matter for a few years. With the client's permission, I reported updates back to the lawyer who referred the matter to me, and this contact definitely improved our relationship. To this day, years later, I receive holiday emails and the like from this adversary, and I would definitely consider him if I had a matter in his area of expertise."

An attorney should maintain respectful relationships with adversaries because they can provide referrals and help achieve positive client results. A heated early-career matter involved an adversary who escalated tensions through threats, exaggerated claims, and unpleasant tactics, straining the relationship. Later, that adversary referred a case in another jurisdiction, which the attorney handled after the original representation concluded. With client permission, the attorney shared updates with the referring lawyer, which improved the relationship. Continued contact years later and mutual professional regard illustrate that former adversaries can become reliable referral sources if attorneys ensure referrals do not compromise ongoing representations.

Read at Above the Law