1. Looking the part: I don’t go to any legal meeting with public transportation (has helped that I’ve had my car from the commencement of practice and it is a very respectable brand of car). I also do not dress shabbily. I have a colleague who says he has never seen me wearing flat shoes 😂. But there is something heels do to your looks as a female lawyer. You won’t catch me wearing flat shoes to court or formal meetings. I literally had to learn to wear regular slides when visiting mining sites because a girl first turned up with 4 inch heels when men dey wear boot🤧🥲😆. Stepping into murky pits of ore in heels was not fun🥲.
2. Commensurate Bills: I have never been afraid to bill clients with confidence. If they say my fees are too high, I simply tell them to kindly seek the services of a more affordable lawyer, I cannot reduce my standard. Those who go, go, those meant to pay, pay well and become more or less fixed clients and they don’t argue about fees, they’d rather pay in installments.
3. I offer value: There are certain clients of mine (high value clients eg PEPS, military generals, business men, Abuja WAGS etc), who I run legal services for at personal cost and thereafter bill. They understand the costs involved and respect the fact that you aren’t stressing them immediately for pay. When you drop your bill they don’t argue. Eg I have this client whose company I represent,they often need to pay for cargo, clearing fees etc (things between 100,300,500-1,1.5m). I have on many occasions cleared such bills for the company and thereafter they refund. Not many lawyers would willingly sacrifice to secure timely performance for their clients, so when I sent an increased retainer earlier in the year, the company didn’t even argue because I have been providing value (and also showing loyalty/sacrifice for the company as its solicitor). PS: I no talk say enter gbese for your clients o, know when and how to take risks.
4. No Dey Beg Clients: Maybe it is pride (it is) but I would much rather be broke and go and loan from my elder sister or best friend or a close friend than collect substandard fees or negotiate with clients who are offering extremely ridiculous amounts. I will literally “you dey go nau” a bad client, than collect less because account red. Self respect I will say attracts clients who pay well. I always say 3 good paying clients are worth more than 5 substandard clients (and na them go stress you pass).