{"id":905423,"date":"2026-03-05T15:22:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T22:22:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myconstructionexpert.com\/blog\/?p=905423"},"modified":"2026-03-05T15:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T22:22:15","slug":"empathy-walking-in-you-clients-shoes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myconstructionexpert.com\/blog\/empathy-walking-in-you-clients-shoes\/","title":{"rendered":"Walking In Your Client\u2019s Shoes: How Client Empathy Makes You a Better Lawyer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sally J. Schmidt | Attorney At Work<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I heard a lawyer tell a joke once that went something like this: \u201cIf you\u2019re having trouble with a client, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, you will have a one-mile head start and he won\u2019t have any shoes.\u201d It\u2019s a funny line. And I know there are times when that kind of attitude can be tempting. But in reality, client empathy can be the difference between a struggling practice and a successful one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Importance of Practicing Client Empathy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clients can be challenging, demanding and frustrating. It can be easy to dismiss their complaints \u2014 and easier yet to stay in your comfort zone doing business as usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But when you think about your own experiences as a client or customer, it becomes easier to empathize with a client\u2019s situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For most people, hiring a lawyer means anxiety, uncertainty and, no less important, costs. Most clients have come to you via a referral or a vetting process. They think you know what you are doing and trust that you will not be making mistakes on their legal documents or in the legal process. So what they are paying attention to are other<\/em> things \u2014 and small things make big impressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a business owner, I\u2019ve had a lot of experiences as a client or customer. Let me share a few examples to make the point:<\/p>\n\n\n\n