Personal injury clients are, by design, a little high-maintenance. But every so often, you find a lawyer who doesn’t just tolerate you, they enjoy your flavor of weird.
1- You’ve Sent At Least One Unhinged Email and He Still Replies 🤪
You hit send on a three-scroll message about pain levels, conspiracy theories, and how your ex’s wife once keyed the car you were injured in. Instead of ghosting, he responds with something helpful, addresses your questions, doesn’t shame you, and doesn’t accidentally CC a partner as a cry for help.
2- You Haven’t Been “Delegated” to the Intern 💼🙅♂️
You still get real responses. He hasn’t pawned you off to an intern, a mysterious “case manager,” or a paralegal who responds only with, “Received, thank you.” That’s a win. You’re not just another file number: you’re the client he wants to keep in his phone.
3- You’re Allowed to Send (Way Too Many) Updates 📝
Dropbox timelines, photo dumps, iPhone videos, maybe a three-part audio saga of your last doctor’s visit… you send it all, and he doesn’t complain. He might even thank you for the “thoroughness” which is code for: “I’m scared of you, but I respect your level of crazy.” He actually reviews your evidence, maybe even references videos and never says, “Let’s just stick to the facts.”
4- He Adapts to Your Preferred Communication Style 📱
You text like you’re writing a ransom note (stacked emojis, bullet points, raspy voice memos at 7am), and he’s unfazed. He may not reply with gifs, but he never once tells you to “Keep it formal.” Sometimes he even mirrors your style back, just enough to show he’s paying attention.
5- He Hasn’t Blocked Your Number or Marked Your Emails as Spam 👀
You know you’re doing fine if your 8:01am “just one more thing…” messages are still getting responses. If he hasn’t “accidentally” changed his number, set up a complicated phone tree to route you to voicemail, or told you to “Please communicate through the portal,” you’re at least in the top tier of his client list.
6- He Lets You Rant, Vent, Or Even Cry On The Phone (And Doesn’t Rush You Off) 😭
You’ve ugly cried. You’ve vented. Maybe you’ve said, “I know this isn’t your job, but…” And he listens. He doesn’t check out, doesn’t rush, and never gives you the “so, is there anything else?” wrap-up. He might even offer actual comfort. That’s not just a good lawyer; that’s a human being who doesn’t see you as just a settlement waiting to happen.
Pro Tip
When your legal updates have their own folder but your attorney still answers with, “What’s up?” you’re doing better than most.