Afraid of Being Sued? 4 Ways to Keep Lawyers at Bay —Inc.com

Here are four surprising ways to protect yourself in a law suit and keep legal fees to a minimum.

Kevin Daum at Inc. advises:  “Shakespeare said, “First kill all the lawyers.” Maybe this seems a tad aggressive, but then again, for most people the last thing you look forward to is someone showing up at your door with a subpoena. Whether a lawsuit is business related or personal, the thought of engaging an attorney for protracted litigation can strike fear into a person’s heart.”  

Not only is there emotion and argument to contend with, but the sheer agony of watching those exorbitant hundreds-of-bucks-per-hour fees racking up with no end in sight is enough to terrorize anyone. Even most attorneys, particularly litigators, will advise people to avoid litigation at all costs.  Here’s some advice from the front lines: 

I have been involved in two lawsuits in my lifetime. The first was dismissed during discovery and cost me $29,000 in non-recoverable fees just to demonstrate what I (and everyone else) knew from the start. In the second, I represented myself and challenged the other party’s attorney, a guy who was simply burning up his client’s retainer without doing due diligence. Upon realizing there was no money and no case, he finally stopped.

In both cases, over-zealous lawyers drove the process at the expense of the clients on both sides of the table. The problem is that many attorneys believe they are right and righteous even when they are not. Others simply thrive on making their living off the misery of others.

As one who recoils from the mere mention of lawsuits, I have learned a few things from my bouts with lawyers that may help others faced with a legal battle. Hopefully these tips will help keep money out of the pockets of the ones who don’t have their clients’ best interest at heart.   Here are some tips:

1. Don’t Be Bullied

2. Tell the Truth

3. Maintain Your Sense of Humor

4. Prepare Yourself!

Read the full piece here, with details and specific advice on each tip. 

Inc.com Offers Tips on How to Avoid Lawsuits When You Can, And Deal With Them Competently When You Must