Tips for Handling a Complaint or Lawsuit
John Starzynski, Volunteer Executive Director of the Ontario Lawyers’ Assistance Program, has an article in the latest edition of Lawyers Weekly. In “How to handle a client complaint or lawsuit“, Starzynski explains that it’s likely that in some point in every lawyer’s career, he or she will get a letter of complaint or be faced with a negligence claim, and that this can be an all-consuming worry.
“[W]hen you are dealing with a complaint or lawsuit, you may experience a churning stomach, loss of self confidence, perhaps an increase in use of alcohol or other substances to numb your emotions, and a mental obsession with the case as it always sitting on the periphery of your consciousness. For anybody who will listen, you may talk about it ad nauseum. … But you need to deal with the problem, so what do you do?”
The article lists 20 essential tips for how to stay calm and best handle the issue. The last piece of advice? Get help from your profession. That’s where lawyer assistance programs come in. Starzynski encourages anyone in this situation to reach out to their local program and find out what services are available.
“Being sued or having a complaint against you is a truly upsetting and traumatic experience. The process can wear you down. The emotional roller coaster is huge. Get help. Do not be stoic and take this on yourself to solve. I say again – call for help. It is the smartest thing you can do.”
For more info on the Ontario Lawyers’ Assistance Program, visit www.olap.ca.
