Stop Emailing Your Lawyer

Stop Emailing Your Lawyer

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.  Proverbs 12:18

In 25 years of practicing law, I’ve found emails to clients are only good for confirming what was already discussed in a phone call or meeting where we actually understood each other.

And no – for jaded lawyers thinking “Yeah, because emails carry liability”.

It not just that.

Emails Lack Empathy

Clients are pouring out their hearts to you!   I receive so many heartwrenching emails.

I simply want to embrace them and pray with them.  Not hit reply and say, “Sorrt, but what does this have to do with your case?”

Lawyers receive on average 150-200 emails per day.  (If they litigate, multiply that number by 1.5-2),

Clients never get what they need from email.  It’s a fragmented, impersonal medium that doesn’t allow for real-time discussion or nuanced advice.

The last thing I want to do is to just quickly respond too all these emails disclosing personal information.  It just feels icky.

Which brings me to the second point.

Emails are NOT Secure

Emails can be intercepted, hacked, or accidentally forwarded to the wrong recipient.

Here is a list of law firms who have been hacked.  Each year, hundreds of thousands of confidential, personal, very private client details are exposed.

When you send sensitive legal matters – financial details, personal disputes, or case strategies—through email, you’re exposing yourself to potential breaches of confidentiality.

Law firms take privacy seriously, but email servers and personal accounts are weak links. A single compromised email could jeopardize your case or personal security.

Emails Are Terrible for Communication

Emails are the worst tools for communication.  They lack  context and clarity.

Threads get lost. Context slips through the cracks. No real-time feedback. Misunderstandings get dragged out instead of resolved instantly. Overload leads to mistakes. Lawyers miss key info buried in inbox chaos.

Must I go on?

Legal matters are complex, and typos or poorly worded emails lead to misunderstandings every day.

They delay progress and require back-and-forth clarifications.

Emails Waste Time

You may think sending a 3 sentence email is “cheaper” than calling your lawyer.

Nope.

A 3 sentence email usually ends up being an email chain of 38 emails (going back and forth all afternoon), because someone didn’t understand a parenting plan.  Or someone mistyped something.

I used to have my emails open all day.   Bad choice – I got NOTHING done, because I was always losing hours wading through my never-ending inbox.

When I used to do that, I felt like a very irresponsible, reactionary lawyer.  Emails reduced my productivity and prevented me from focusing on high-value tasks like case strategy and legal research.

The best decision I made was implementing an auto-response, and hiring an assistant to go through my emails a couple times a week.

Emails are Expensive for the Client

This is a true story:  I once had a client who burned through a $10,000 retainer in 2 weeks by sending 50-60 emails a day.  That’s not a typo.  FIFTY EMAILS a DAY.

Every single one of those messages had to be opened, read, evaluated, responded to, or flagged for later.  Many of them were emails that requested the attorney to review what he had sent to his ex.  And then forwarding what his ex sent.

Attorneys are NOT therapists.  

That kind of barrage doesn’t help move the case forward.  It just drowns your lawyer in unnecessary administrative work

In the end, that client didn’t get what they needed.  They got a drained retainer, and zero momentum on their legal issue.

Lose-lose. (This was before I implemented the new no-email rule at the firm).

Schedule a Call Instead

Instead of firing off another email, schedule a phone call with your lawyer.

A thoughtful conversation aligns with the “tongue of the wise” that fosters understanding and progress, and is much better for all these reasons.

Clarity and Efficiency

A 30-minute call can cover what might take 50 emails to resolve.

You can explain your concerns, ask questions, and get immediate feedback.

Your lawyer can ask clarifying questions, ensuring they fully understand your needs.

Optimized Billable Time

Lawyers bill by the hour, and emails add up fast.

A single call can address multiple issues in one go, saving you money and your lawyer’s time.

It allows them to focus on your case rather than inbox management.

Stronger Relationship

Calls build trust and rapport.

You’re not just another email in a queue; you’re a person with a voice, and your lawyer can better understand your priorities and emotions, offering the “healing” touch of wise communication.

Confidentiality

Phone calls or secure video platforms (like Zoom or Google Meet) are far less likely to be intercepted than email. You can speak freely without worrying about a digital paper trail.

Sensitive details about your relationship should never be discussed via email.

How to Make the Most of Your Call

Prepare in Advance

Jot down key points or questions before the call to stay focused.

Set a Clear Agenda: Let your lawyer know the purpose of the call upfront so they can prepare and optimize the time.

Follow Up Wisely: If action items arise, confirm them during the call or via a secure portal, not a lengthy email thread.

Final Thoughts

If you’re constantly emailing your lawyer, you’re doing it wrong.  Emails are inefficient, annoying, expensive, counter-productive, and dangerous!

Emailing your lawyer might feel convenient, but it’s a trap that risks your privacy, wastes time, and inflates costs.

Don’t treat your legal team like Amazon customer support.

You’re not getting better answers faster—you’re just making it harder for them to do their job effectively.

Schedule a call instead—it’s more secure, efficient, and productive for both you and your lawyer.