Listen to your momma
Posted by Stephen M. Nipper at May 18, 2005 11:22 PM
When I got home earlier today, sitting in the mailbox was a package from another attorney in town. "Self," I said to myself, "that's odd."
The attorney is an acquaintance...someone I know, but not well. He has a good firm, does good work, and is well thought of.
But a package?
Odd. I opened the package. Inside was a book, wrapped in gift wrap, and a "thank you for the referral" letter.
I frequently refer clients to other attorneys. It's part of being a rethinker...being involved in your clients business and/or being a good enough listener to the people around you so you can help refer them on to the help they need. I'm a helper. I'm a networker.
The letter was a nice touch. It is something that I myself do...sending "thanks for the referral" letters. But a book? What kind of book? I didn't even have to open the package...I was already touched that he would send a letter. Imagine my surprise when I unwrapped the book and found a moleskine. Amazing...it was like he read my mind. Since seeing Sorocco lugging one around at TechShow I had been drooling over them. Doug has blogged about his moleskine love before.
A moleskine. Nice touch. Great call. Any chance I might remember him the next time I have a referral in his area of the law????
So. When was the last time you sent a colleague a "thanks for the referral" letter (didn't your momma teach you to say thanks)? It may be the best 3 minutes you spend this year.
J. Matthew Buchanan 
Stephen M. Nipper 
Douglas Sorocco 
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Comments
Anonymous Says:
May 23, 2005 08:09 PM
See the section of the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct below. You may want to look at 7.2(c) specifically. Of course, I am sure you returned the Moleskine. But did you report this attorney to the Bar as you are obligated to do under these same Rules?
RULE 7.2: ADVERTISING
(a) Subject to the requirements of Rules 7.1 and 7.3, a lawyer
may advertise services through written, recorded or
electronic communication, including public media.
(b) A copy or recording of an advertisement or communication
shall be kept for two years after its last dissemination
along with a record of when and where it was used.
(c) A lawyer shall not give anything of value to a person for
recommending the lawyer's services except that a lawyer
may
(1) pay the reasonable costs of advertisements or
communications permitted by this Rule;
(2) pay the usual charges of a legal service plan or a
not-for-profit or qualified lawyer referral service.
A qualified lawyer referral service is a lawyer
referral service that has been approved by an
appropriate regulatory authority; and
(3) pay for a law practice in accordance with Rule
1.17.
(d) Any communication made pursuant to this rule shall
include the name and office address of at least one lawyer
or law firm responsible for its content.
Nipper Says:
May 23, 2005 09:30 PM
Hmm...very interesting. I guess I get the pleasure of contacting my bar counsel in the morning to see what he advises. Thanks for the tip "anon"...feel free to contact me off list to follow up if you like (I don't see myself hashing this out in this forum).
jennifer Says:
June 1, 2006 10:25 AM
this web site is kinda stupid