Alabama Lawyer










Avandia Side Effect Lawyer: Diabetes Drug Damages Liver by Anna Henningsgaard

Avandia, a compound of rosiglitazone maleate, is an oral antidiabetic agent. Avandia pills increase insulin sensitivity for patients with type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Avandia also improves glycemic control as it reduces the circulation of insulin levels. If diet, exercise, and a single drug are not enough to control blood sugar levels, Avandia can be used in conjunction with another drug.Avandia is not to be used for type 1 diabetes (juvenile onset diabetes) or diabetic ketoacidosis. It is questionable whether people with heart failure, fluid retention, or active liver disease should take Avandia at all. Since Avandia became available there have been reports of the development of hepatitis (the inflammation of the liver) due to elevated liver enzymes. Patients taking Avandia should have their liver enzymes monitored regularly.Additionally, Avandia is in the same class of drugs as Rezulin, a very dangerous drug that has been associated with devastating liver injury including liver failure that can only be cured with transplant. Without immediate transplant, many Rezulin liver failures have resulted in death. Because of this close association with a dangerous drug, users of Avandia should be in close contact with a doctor if they notice any symptoms of liver problems such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, dark urine, or jaundice. Avandia is also very dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn children.It is also advised, should you suffer adversely from the use of Avandia, to consult a lawyer. The recent proliferation of dangerous drugs into the marketplace is a disturbing trend, and should a drug threaten your health you should be repaid for damages and the drug should be taken off the market.ga

To find out why you need an Avandia lawyer and read articles about dangerous drugs and Avandia side effects, visit our website at hugesettlements.com.

If you have any questions or concerns about filing an Avandia lawsuit, please contact a professional Avandia attorney right away!

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Sticks, Stones and Lawyers by Jean Fritz

“But how can you say, 'It was only talk, so no harm was done?' Were this true, then your prayers, and your words of kindness, would be a waste of breath.” - Nachman of Bratslav

Defamation ... slander ... libel. It doesn’t take a rabbinic scholar to tell you that words have the power to wound, to destroy lives, careers, and legacies. Any writer dealing in non-fiction narrative, biography or autobiography needs to be aware of his or her legal responsibility in disseminating information about someone, living or dead, celebrity or common person. Even if the perceptions recorded are accurate, writers still need to protect their interests in the event of a libel suit.

The legal definition of libel is: “the publication and distribution of false information regarding an individual which is defamatory in nature, and has been published and distributed with malicious intent.” Subjects covered under the libel laws include allegations of criminal behavior, sexual or moral inappropriateness, or any allusions to a person’s competency (or lack thereof) in their profession.

TRUTH AS DEFENSE:

The key words contained in this definition are “false information.” If a writer can establish that the information they have written and published is true, then they have made their case.

But “truth” is not necessarily an absolute, and there are steps every writer must take in order to get an audience – or a judge – to see things their way.

SOURCES:

The first is to have impeccable sources of information. Yes, everyone is flawed, but some flaws create larger credibility gaps than others. For example, Juanita Broderick’s story of being raped by Bill Clinton was undamaged by her “flaw” of being involved at the time with another man while still married. The weight of her capacity as a successful businesswoman who was well-grounded gave her an air of veracity. On the other hand, the publishing house which released – and soon retracted – the book, Fortunate Son, had depended heavily on the testimony of a drug user / dealer to support claims of President Bush’s cocaine use. Drug dealers and users are known to be less than credible, and with no corroborating evidence, the story was built on very shaky ground.

EVIDENCE:

The second step is to verify all information with some sort of corroborating evidence. Public records, receipts, time cards, or any written evidence that comes from a source with “no horse in the race,” so to speak, are good backups for information received from a source. But take a lesson from Dan Rather, and be certain that any documentation has not been corrupted. At the very least, have more than one piece of evidence to support any allegations.

CONTEXT:

Finally, be sure you are accurate in describing the context of the behavior you are alleging. Recently, a judge successfully sued a television news team for libel. The reporter’s editorial slant was that this judge was soft on crime, and had little empathy for victims. The judge did not refute the truth of the cases reviewed; however, he stated that the cases described in their news stories were aberrations, and that an overview of all the cases adjudicated in his courtroom would present a more accurate picture of his judgments and behavior. Everyone can have a bad day, and everyone makes poor decisions at some time. Playing the “gotcha” game can only damage your credibility as a writer, and could possibly cost you more than your reputation.

“CELEBRITY” DOESN’T EQUAL “TARGET”

Public figures face the reality that they have fewer rights to privacy than an ordinary person. This doesn’t exempt writers from doing their “due diligence” if a celebrity is their chosen topic. A good writer would never depend solely on the marketing fluff spun by a celebrity’s publicist, but neither should they depend solely on information from the hairdresser, housekeeper, or gardener’s cousin. Once again, good sources make a good story, and also protect the writer from legal action.

Any time your story involves real people, scan it for libel potential. The following checklist, used by one publishing house as a safeguard for its authors, is a good start:

Does the material identify a person (living or dead) or an entity? This material does not need to actually name names – any behavior or description that makes clear to the reader the identity of the person or entity is potentially a problem.

Is any identified person dead? These depictions need to be as accurate as they would be if the individual were alive. The person’s estate can bring suit against a writer.

Is the person identified: A private person? A public person or celebrity? A political person?

Would the material negatively influence a reasonable reader's opinion of the person or entity identified? Would it reflect badly on the character of the person or entity?

Could it harm the reputation or diminish the esteem, respect, or good will in which the person or entity's relevant community holds him, her, or it?

Is defamatory information in the form of: An explicit statement, An insinuation, A sarcastic statement, A parody or cartoon, An opinion that implies that there are defamatory facts underlying it even if not stated, or Something else?

Is the statement or other material true? Do you have documentation that would satisfy a court of law?

Is the statement or other material a fair report of an official or public record or proceeding?.

Is the statement or other material an expression of opinion and not an assertion of fact? Has this been made obvious to the reader?

Does the statement or other material constitute a comment or opinion on a matter of public concern? For example, does it relate to public health or safety, or expenditures of public funds?

Would an opinion be construed as an actual fact?

Does the opinion merely express dislike, or does it hint at negative behaviors or characteristics?

Has the subject of the statement or image has given consent to the material? Have you made an attempt to get their point of view?

The more “yes” answers to these questions, the greater the likelihood of a libel lawsuit. As a writer, it’s your responsibility to monitor the information you release. Settling a score through your writing may give you momentary pleasure, but the cost may be tremendous.

About The Author

The author owns JMT Publications, a small subsidy publishing house, and also contracts in the areas of editing, copywriting and proofreading. She can be contacted via the JMT Publications website (http://jmtpubs.tripod.com).

jeantype@excite.com


Propulsid Litigation Lawyer Says: Unnecessary Drug Killed 80 People by Anna Henningsgaard

Propulsid was a popular nighttime heartburn drug before it was pulled in the market in March of 2000. It was linked to dozens of fatal heart rhythm abnormalities. A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) document associated the drug with 341 reports of heart rhythm abnormalities and 80 reported deaths. The FDA also acknowledges that only a small fraction of problems with a drug are ever reported.Propulsid was used to treat severe nighttime heartburn in adult pations with gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD. The labeling had to be changed many times to account for the growing toll of heart disease and death caused by the drug, and finally after 7 years on the market it was pulled by the FDA. At the time of the Propulsid recall more than 350,000 Americans were taking Propulsid. It is estimated that over 30 million Americans took the drug since it went on the market in 1993. At the time of the recall it was one of Johnson & Johnson’s best selling drugs.This is just another example of an unnecessary treatment causing pain and death. The vast majority of patients with GERD can control and cure the disease with a carefully regulated diet and increased water intake. Taking a drug to repress acid reflux just represses the excess acid, neither curing the condition nor removing it from the system. Throwing unnecessary drugs at conditions that could be cured through lifestyle changes is one of the factors leading to this country’s epidemic of medical errors. Over 80 people have died from using Propulsid when it was not even necessary to cure their condition.If you or a loved one have suffered from these adverse effects of Propulsid and are one of the many who have not yet spoken up, contact a lawyer and discuss your options immediately. Class action lawsuits have placed the blame squarely on the drug manufacturer, and if you participate in litigation you can claim damages as well as help the public assess the true numbers of people hurt by dangerous drugs and medical errors.GA

To find out why you need a Propulsid lawyer and read articles about dangerous drugs and Propulsid side effects, visit our website at hugesettlements.com.

If you have any questions or concerns about filing a Propulsid lawsuit, please contact a professional Propulsid attorney right away!

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Lawyers: How To Get An 'Unfair' Advantage Over Your Competition by Matthew Samp

When it comes to getting new clients, no matter what market your in, you still have to work to get the client. Rarely is a law firm so well positioned that no marketing program has to be used. In fact, today, competition for "good" cases is stronger than ever. With some attorneys willing to sacrifice big dollars in hopes of "the big one" and others under-cutting other local attorneys, it's no wonder that it's harder and harder to get good, new business. Add to the fact that many firms have one practice area and have no cross-selling capabilities; new business efforts can haunt a good attorney. The best way to gain an unfair advantage over your competition is to do what I call "stealth marketing." This is the kind of silent but deadly marketing that is bringing in volumes of new business with little cost, publicity or fanfare. When your competition finally figures out how you're opening 20 or 30 new cases a month, it's way too late for them to do anything about it. Add that to the fact that most attorneys are not willing to pay for marketing expertise, and those of you who have decided to do something about getting new business are making bucket-loads of money. It's the old 80/20 rule: 80% of the business is being handled by 20% of the lawyers. Think about this. There is a certain segment of the population (and it's growing like crazy each day, literally) that will only utilize the Internet to collect information before making a purchasing decision. (Many attorneys don't understand that when someone is thinking about hiring them, that person is making a "purchasing decision.") Therefore, there's a growing number of people who will only find you if you have a website. The good news is, these are the same consumers that are most educated and want to make qualified, informed decisions. Don't forget the many law firms still don't have websites that work. If you're in a smaller market, the number of attorney websites is even smaller. It's estimated that only 30% of all small and solo firms (10 attorneys or less) have a website. But remember the fact that nearly each of these sites it a tragic mess. Adding all that up, gives you a huge advantage to take over a market. With a turn-key website from LawFirmMarketingWebsites.com, you'll get nearly every available case you want from those who are looking on the Internet in your state. About the author: Matthew Samp is a law firm marketing consultant. Information about his turnkey website can be found at www.LawFirmMarketingWebsites.comor by calling 402-292-3400.

Phenylpropanolamine (PPH) Lawyer: Decongestant Causes Stroke by Anna Henningsgaard

Phenylpropanolamine, or PPH, used to be an active ingredient in many over the counter nasal decongestants and weight control drug products. The FDA pulled phenylpropanolamine off the market in May of 2000 when a Yale University School of Medicine study found that patients using PPH were at a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding of the brain. By then it had been in popular use for many years, but because strokes are such serious and unpredictable afflictions and safer alternative drugs readily available, the FDA alerted customers to the danger and issued a recall on phenylpropanolamine.The Yale University study found that women were at a higher risk of hemorrhaging and stroke than men, but that men were still at increased risk. The products using PPH were varied, but they all should have listed phenylpropanolamine as an active ingredient on the label and it is almost entirely unavailable in the US market. Recently forwarded email chains have warned of dozens of products that contain PPH, but this list is outdated and the products on this list have already removed phenylpropanolamine as a drug ingredient.Some people maintain that the FDA was being overly cautious in removing phenylpropanolamine from the market, citing its years of successful use. PPH was only found to increase the risk of stroke during the first three days of use and mostly in female study participants. It is still an active ingredient in many drugs produced and sold outside of the United States, though it is generally unavailable in the US.If you or someone you love has suffered a stroke while using phenylpropanolamine (PPH) or experienced any other negative side effects, contact a lawyer to discuss the PPH recall and your specific situation.GA

To find out why you need a Phenylpropanolamine lawyer and read articles about dangerous drugs and Phenylpropanolamine side effects, visit our website at hugesettlements.com.

If you have any questions or concerns about filing a PPH lawsuit, please contact a professional Phenylpropanolamine attorney right away!

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Paxil Recall Lawyer Discusses Paxil Addiction by Anna Henningsgaard

Paxil went on the market in 1992 at the height of antidepressant drug popularity. It is a member of the class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. The SSRI drugs revolutionized antidepressants because they have very few side effects and it is practically impossible to overdose on them. It makes sense not to prescribe a depressed person with pills they can easily overdose with. Though a latecomer to the SSRI market, Paxil grew successful very quickly by gaining FDA approval for very specific conditions like “social anxiety disorder” and “general anxiety disorder”, which were very rare conditions at the time. In running add campaigns, Paxil encouraged people to try their drug if they’d experienced any general anxiety and, as can be expected, sales of Paxil soared.Commercials for Paxil insist that the drug has no side effects and is not addicting, major selling point. Many doctors and pharmacies will tell you the same thing, that Paxil is not addictive. To the contrary, many patients using Paxil have found it very difficult to quit. Even slowly reducing doses and coming off the drug, many patients have complained of intense stomach pains, diarrhea, intense anxiety, anger, migraines, and an odd electrical zapping whenever they move their heads or eyes. These symptoms are often written off as temporary illness due to discontinuity. After a few months, the symptoms will be diagnosed as a relapse of depression, and what could be prescribed for that? Paxil.A recent independent study found that as many as 50% of Paxil users experience intense withdrawal from the drug. While some other drugs in the same class, like Prozac and Zoloft, cause similar withdrawal reactions none of them cause reactions this intense. This could be because Paxil has a much shorter half-life than the other antidepressants, and more addicting substances often have short half-lives. The brain likes slow adjustments and cannot handle rapidly changing chemicals.Class action lawsuits have been filed against Paxil in Britain as well as the United States. The company that produces and markets Paxil refuses to acknowledge that it can be a habit-forming, addictive drug and has not changed its packaging or advertising despite recent cases of addiction. Patients often find no help from doctors or pharmacies, who simply tell them that Paxil is marketed as a non-addictive drug and, for that reason, cannot cause the symptoms being experienced. If you have been put in this uncomfortable position, contact a lawyer and discuss your situation. A class action lawsuit that began with 35 people has grown to over 2000 people, so you are not alone by any means. Talking with a lawyer can make you feel better and give you some hope for justice.GA

To find out why you need a Paxil lawyer and read articles about dangerous drugs and Paxil side effects, visit our website at hugesettlements.com.

If you have any questions or concerns about filing a Paxil lawsuit, please contact a professional Paxil attorney right away!

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Meridia Lawyer: Meridia Diet Pill Side Effects by Anna Henningsgaard

Following the recall of Fen-Phen and Redux in 1999 (two diet drugs that cause heart valve diseases) Meridia was released. Meridia is a diet drug similar to the ones that were recalled. Like the recalled drugs, it releases serotonin into the brain to trick the patient’s body into feeling full and choosing to eat less. These drugs do not so much remove weight from the body as they do encourage and facilitate a lifestyle involving lower caloric intake.Meridia is different from the older drugs, however, because its interaction with the brain is more localized. While Fen-Phen released serotonin into the bloodstream where it flooded and damaged the heart, Meridia acts only on localized areas of the brain where the serotonin chemical is needed. People taking Meridia or considering Meridia should be aware that Meridia is part of a healthy lifestyle choice, not merely an easy road to diet street.More serious side effects could be suffered by patients who are taking drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOI’s. MOAI’s are taken to treat depression, Parkinson’s disease, and other such disorders. Serious, sometimes fatal, reactions can occur if Meridia and monoamine oxidase inhibitors are taken at the same time. It is also important not to take Meridian along with other serotonin-regulating drugs. This can cause a rare but serious condition called “serotonin syndrome”, which requires immediate medical attention.Meridia does seem, after all, to be safer than Fen-Phen and Redux, but please be careful and remember that drugs like this are powerful medications, not aesthetic vanities. If you feel that you have suffered adverse effects from Meridia or that it has been administered improperly, please contact a lawyer right away.GA

To find out why you need a Meridia lawyer and read articles about dangerous drugs and Meridia side effects, visit our website at hugesettlements.com.

If you have any questions or concerns about filing a Meridia lawsuit, please contact a professional Meridia attorney right away!

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Lipitor Lawyer: Statin Drugs Cause Muscle Damage in 98% by Anna Henningsgaard

Doctors have been encouraged to prescribe the cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins quite liberally. Patients who suffer heart attacks often have elevated levels of cholesterol, so statins like Lipitor are prescribed to lower the cholesterol. There have been no conclusive studies to prove the full effectiveness of these drugs, however, and some doctors worry that reducing cholesterol simply takes away the warning signs of heart disease. The drug companies also claim that statin drugs have a low, nearly nonexistent incidence of side effects. These claims are based on trials of the drug on a carefully screened group of people, hardly a representative selection of the general public. Considering the rigorous selection process for drug trials, it is hardly a surprise that 51% of prescription drugs found to have serious adverse side effects not detected prior to FDA approval.As many as 98% of people using Lipitor or similar statin drugs experience muscle weakness. This is because the statins break down muscle tissue. A similar drug, Baycor, was removed from the market earlier this year after it caused muscle breakdown so severe that patients’ muscles broke down and flooded their kidneys with toxins. Twenty-six Baycor users died from muscle failure.Though muscle damage, sometimes debilitating muscle pain and disintegration, is the most common side effect, statins have been found to cause many other serious adverse effects. Patients taking Lipitor have had a higher incidence of cancer, neuropathy, heart failure, dizziness, memory failure, and depression. The extent of these problems is far greater than anybody realizes because doctors often diagnose these side effects as problems relating to the original risk of heart disease, not the drug prescribed to treat it.If you are taking Lipitor or another statin and develop muscle weakness or pain, stop taking the drug immediately. If you have strange side effects that doctors cannot seem to diagnose, it could be related to the statins. Above all, if you chose to take these drugs, take Co-Q10 supplements. This is an important liver enzyme whose production is blocked along with cholesterol. If you are suffering adverse effects from these popular drugs, add your voice to the public outcry of statin victims so that doctors, drug companies, and the FDA realize the extent of the problem. If you have been harmed or crippled by these drugs you should contact a lawyer.GA

To find out why you need a Lipitor lawyer and read articles about dangerous drugs and Lipitor side effects, visit our website at hugesettlements.com.

If you have any questions or concerns about filing a Lipitor lawsuit, please contact a professional Lipitor attorney right away!

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Lamisil Side Effects Lawyer: Lamisil Tablet by Anna Henningsgaard

While the recent Lamisil commercial featuring Digger, a disgusting cartoon fungus, is still fresh in our mind (who could forget the imagery of a toenail being pulled back and colorful germs crawling in?) it is a good time to look at the side effects of this seemingly innocuous drug. Despite the disturbing advertising campaign, who would have guessed that an antifungal tablet could have so many negative side effects?The drug comes in both cream and tablet form and is used to fight nail fungus, athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. It can also be used to treat tinea veriscolor, an infection that produces brown, tan, or white spots on a person’s torso. Lamisil tablets do not work right away, and the full result cannot be seen for months. Perhaps it is this necessarily long exposure period that contributes to the worst of Lamisil’s side effects. The exact side effects resulting from Lamisil cannot be anticipated because the possibilities are so diverse. Inform a doctor of any suspected side effects as soon as possible.Lamisil tablets have been found to cause diarrhea, indigestion, rash, abdominal pain, gas, hives, itching, nausea, taste disturbances, vision problems, fatigue, flue, hair loss, joint pain, liver problems, aches, and vomiting. Vision problems resulting from Lamisil tablets have been diagnosed as serious changes and possible damage to the retina of the eye. Lamisil tablets can cause rare, possibly fatal liver disease and, in rare cases, caused severe skin reactions. Stop using Lamisil immediately if you develop a skin rash and call your doctor immediately, as these too can be fatal. Lamisil has not been tested safely on children, nor should it be used by pregnant women or women who are breast feeding.GA

To find out why you need a Lamisil lawyer and read articles about dangerous drugs and Lamisil side effects, visit our website at hugesettlements.com.

If you have any questions or concerns about filing a Lamisil lawsuit, please contact a professional Lamisil attorney right away!

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Cold-Eeze Side Effects Lawyer: Zinc Destroys Sense of Smell! by Anna Henningsgaard

Cold-Eeze is a homeopathic solution to the common cold. It is a zinc-based solution that can be taken as a tablet or a nasal spray. Limited studies have found that the nasal spray reduces the duration of the common cold to less than three days, down from an average nine days. These amazing results have lead thousands of Americans to try this new medication, with terrible results.You see, Cold-Eeze has been found to cause anosmia, or a loss of smell and taste. Many Cold-Eeze users experience horrific, almost unbearable burning directly after applying the nasal spray. Most nasal spray stings a little bit, so they continue the application, but within one or two days the Cold-Eeze users who experience this pain suddenly cannot smell or taste any longer. When the cold passes a few days later (Cold-Eeze gets this right!) smell and taste senses have not returned. It is not until these poor patients visit a doctor that they are informed of the devastating truth. Once anosmia sets in, those sense cannot be recovered. Cold-Eeze nasal spray permanently cripples the sense of smell and taste.The active ingredient in Cold-Eeze, Zincum Guconicum, is sometimes referred to as Zinc Gluconate. It was first used as a nasal spray in the 1930’s as an experimental treatment for polio, but it did not improve the condition of polio patients. Instead, doctors found that it often disabled the patients’ sense of smell. Unfortunately, doctors are making that discovery all over again today.If you or a loved one has used Cold-Eeze and suffered intense burning or loss of smell, contact a lawyer right away. It may be too late to recover from the crippling effects of Cold-Eeze, but a lawyer can help you recover damages and bar this debilitating drug from hands of innocent invalids.GATo find out why you need a Cold-Eeze lawyer and read articles about dangerous drugs and Cold-Eeze side effects, visit our website at hugesettlements.com.

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Celebrex Side Effects Lawsuit Lawyer by Anna Henningsgaard

The Food and Drug administration urges people to stop taking Celebrex, but even so the drug has remained on the market. Recent studies have found that Celebrex causes heart attacks and strokes at higher doses. These same problems have lead rival pharmaceutical company Merck & Co to remove its painkiller Vioxx from the market. However, Pfizer, the maker of Celebrex, is leaving its dangerous drug on the market.Celebrex is an anti-inflammatory drug that does not contain steroids. This particular variety of anti-inflammatory is known as a COX-2 inhibitor and is used primarily to relieve the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It has sometimes been prescribed for other uses. Some patients on Celebrex have suffered severe stomach bleeding, especially those who consume alcohol while on the medication. Other medication, including over-the-counter aspirins and ibuprofens, must be carefully monitored and cleared by a doctor if combined with Celebrex.Celebrex should not be taken while a woman is nursing. Many people are vulnerable to violent allergic reactions to Celebrex, and these problems should be taken to a doctor immediately. The number of adverse reactions to Celebrex is growing every day as complications arise from this dangerous medication. If you or someone you love has been taking Celebrex unaware of these serious health risks, or if they have suffered serious complications resulting in injury or death, contact a lawyer about joining in the lawsuit against Pfizer, reclaiming damages, and forcing this harmful drug off the market.ga

To find out why you need a Celebrex lawyer and read articles about dangerous drugs and Celebrex side effects, visit our website at hugesettlements.com.

If you have any questions or concerns about filing a Celebrex lawsuit, please contact a professional Celebrex attorney right away!

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Coaching for Lawyers: 10 Ways a Lawyer Can Benefit from Working with a Professional Coach by Jatrine Bentsi-Enchill, J.D., CPCC

Marie noticed that Diane seemed to be sailing through her career and receiving “nods” from the firm’s partners. According to Marie, Diane was extremely successful in handling her cases, developing strong relationships with her clients and seemed to be building a successful career on all fronts. As a third year associate, Diane was viewed as a rising star in the firm and was getting several “choice assignments”…many of which Marie had hoped to get. After inviting her to lunch, Marie learned that Diane had been working with a Professional Coach. During lunch, Diane credited her Coach with helping her develop a strategic action plan to help her : 1) improve weak areas in her performance, 2)enhance and strengthen her professional image and 3) get on the fast track to partnership. According to Diane, “Hiring my Coach was the wisest career move I could have made.”One week later, Marie hired her own Coach.Professional Coaching is for lawyers who are ready to excel, enjoy a better quality of life and gain an edge on the competition.Let’s face it, the legal profession is all about successful outcomes and lawyers are trained to succeed in achieving favorable outcomes for their clients. Coaches are trained to help clients achieve powerful results. There are systems of accountability incorporated into the coaching process to move clients forward and deepen insights.Coaching is a collaborative process that is focused and results oriented. A Professional Coach can help lawyers overcome challenges, increase strategic thinking and improve communication skills. In addition, many lawyers hire Coaches to help them develop a savvy professional image, cultivate ongoing career and personal goals and to achieve greater work-life balance. Unlike a consultant, a Coach doesn’t come in and solve the problem for you. Instead, a Coach partners with you to assess how best to resolve issues and achieve your goals. A Professional Coach can provide the insight, accountability, resources and strategic planning that a lawyer needs in order to build a successful career and fulfilling personal life. Below are 10 ways a lawyer can benefit by working with a Professional Coach.1. ACHIEVE BETTER FOCUS. When the majority of your time is spent juggling cases, keeping track of clients, meeting goals for billables and balancing your personal life, it's hard to focus on anything other than making it through the day. A Professional Coach will help you focus your energy so you can achieve your goals with greater ease despite your hectic schedule.2. MANAGE AND DEVELOP A SUCCESSFUL LAW CAREER. Developing a successful career depends largely on your ability to structure your career in alignment with your personal and professional goals. Coaching can help you clarify your vision and goals. When was the last time you considered what YOU want in your legal career and in your personal life? The practice of law is fast paced and it’s tough to find time to slow down and ask yourself some meaningful questions. Through Coaching, you'll have the opportunity to examine what you want, what motivates you, where you get stuck or distracted and much more. The coaching process allows you to learn about what you value, what it will take to build a fulfilling career and how you can design a balanced personal and professional life. When was the last time you had a conversation with someone who was fully committed to you and your success? That’s the job of a Professional Coach.3. DEVELOP A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN. Success doesn’t happen by accident. You must PLAN what you want to achieve and determine the best way to go about getting there. Consider your career plan as the roadmap for your career. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? How will you get there? What resources will you need? A Coach can help you create a plan that is in alignment with your personal and professional values and overall vision for your life and career.4. INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY. Productive people have the ability to complete their work on time and in an efficient manner. How many times have you committed to completing a task only to have the needs of someone else get in the way? At the core of Professional Coaching is accountability. Knowing that you've made a commitment to yourself AND told someone else about it, makes you more likely to stay on task. Your Coach holds you accountable for what you say you want to accomplish, and then continues to work with you as you achieve your goals and increase productivity. 5. NAVIGATE A CAREER TRANSITION. Too often, lawyers get locked into a job because they lack the tools needed to determine their next steps. Changing jobs, switching to a new practice area or transitioning to a new career can be tough. So tough in fact that many lawyers end up STUCK in an unfulfilling career. A Coach can provide you with the insight, resources and feedback needed to make concrete decisions regarding your career. If it’s time to move up or out…a Coach can help you make that decision faster and with greater ease than you would on your own.6. IMPROVE TIME AND PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SKILLS. Lawyers are slaves to time yet few if any law schools provide training on how to successfully manage time. Case files, motions, clients, conference calls, deadlines, e-mails and meetings are simply a fraction of what goes on in a typical lawyer’s day. Too often everything feels like a priority and lawyers report feeling overwhelmed, stressed and ultimately burned out. A Professional Coach can help you to take an honest look at your schedule and how you currently spend your time and manage your practice. Based on this information your Coach can help you create a strategy where you can achieve more in less time…often with more time for a healthy personal life. Goodbye burnout! 7. DEVELOP A UNIQUE BRAND FOR IMPROVED MARKETING. The practice of law is competitive and it’s important to create a brand that effectively communicates your value to your employer, colleagues and potential clients. Why should they hire you over another lawyer? A Coach can help you create and develop your unique value proposition and help you communicate it to others in a way that helps you develop a successful reputation and career.8. DISCOVER YOUR PASSION IN THE LAW. Have you met lawyers who report feeling disillusioned with the law or report feeling lost? These feelings tend to emerge in a career when there is a misalignment between the work the lawyer is involved in and his or her personal and professional values. Sustaining a successful career in the law requires the pursuit and attainment of work in alignment with your passion, interests and strengths. Through Coaching you’ll have the opportunity to gain clarity about your ideal work and work environment and then take the necessary action steps toward designing a successful and gratifying legal career.9. CREATE BOUNDARIES. Working with a Professional Coach can help you evaluate what you say "yes" to because you want to and what you need to quit saying "yes" to. A Coach can help you find the cure for the "disease to please" and the inability to delegate effectively. Through coaching you’ll have the opportunity to consider what you need to say "yes "to or "no" to in order to respect your boundaries and function more effectively in your legal career.10. ACHIEVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE. Lawyers are required to maintain hectic schedules under incredibly stressful, high pressure situations. After maintaining such a pace many lawyers experience burnout, depression and other stress related illnesses. Like others in high pressure professions, lawyers need find an outlet to relieve the stress of work. A Coach will help you to take charge and create a more balanced life. A Professional Coach can help you find time for family, friends, hobbies AND a successful law career.

About the Author

Jatrine Bentsi-Enchill is the founder and director of the Esq. Development Institute, an organization committed to helping lawyers excel personally and professionally. The Esq. Development Institute specializes in Executive and Personal Coaching for lawyers as well as training and assessment processes for law firms in the areas of leadership, communication, diversity and cultural competence, management development and work-life balance.