For law students and pre-law, young lawyers contemplating a solo practice in any area, and for divorcing people who want to go into the game with their eyes open.
Through a mix of cautionary tales, inside information, and elaborate tongue-in-cheek instructions, Portia Porter exposes the achilles heel of the legal profession: if you don’t want to pay your lawyers, there is little they can do … can do about it. In the spirit of Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal,” this hilarious instruction manual for grifters should be required reading for any law student, and for anyone contemplating divorce litigation. In Portia’s clients, you will meet a cast of characters with gall and moral turpitude worthy of inclusion in an Elmore Leonard novel. And Portia Porter will introduce you to a state bar association that makes the bureaucracy of Heller’s Catch-22 seem downright rational. The answer to “Can You Stiff your Divorce Lawyer?” is an emphatic yes, but even if you have no intention of doing that you will finish reading this book far wiser about the ways of the law.
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The author is notoriously good at shining a flashlight on the perhaps grimier parts of the law. Lawyers are in battle, really, taking on the opposing side to protect the client’s best interest and be paid for the work they did. To not pay should be something none of us would do, because it can only end up hurting you in the end or at least “down the road” somewhere in the future. But this is a very funny, tongue-in-cheek look at the legal system and what should or should not be done in the pursuit of justice. You’ll love the stories and examples along the way, but try to take some of it to heart. There is real honesty among the words on the page and some good practical advice. The awkwardness comes from the fact that you will probably see yourself in some of the examples, or at least find yourself nodding your head that you would probably do the same thing.
This was another good book by this author. If we see fewer lawyers practicing in the next 10 years, I’d love to take a survey to see if they read any of this author’s informative books before making their decision to go or stay! Grab your copy, relax, and enjoy the explanation of our legal system at work!
This job would be great if it wasn’t for the customers!!!
How To Stiff Your Lawyer turned out not to be the book I was expecting but it was still an interesting and funny read. As a non-lawyer and also someone who has not really had the need to deal with lawyers too much in the past this was a bit eye-opening. As a business consultant I could completely recognize certain situations and sentiments among the various stories, some of which I have also had to deal with to get paid by clients.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
In short, even if you’re determined to screw your lawyer, do no harm- to yourself or your own case!
If you are suffering through a divorce case, you might feel that every one deserves to feel the pain, and if the lawyers seem to be the only ones to profit, always keep in mind: they have the means at their disposal to legally damage you worse than the spouse you are so worked up about. Your efforts at petty revenge can hurt you likely more than them, even with small efforts on your part. Your case is not over until the paperwork is in your hands, and all parties are deceased, including the lawyers. Even then, the wrong effort to penalize your ex or your lawyer can have your heirs spitting on your gravestone.
In short, suck it up buttercup! Messing around your accountant or your lawyer is a fast ticket to a Capone-like sentence!
Hilarious- and scary true!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.