What does the title of a great western movie have in common with the practice of law at the Law Offices of Robert A. McLaughlin? A lot more than you might realize. But before we get to that, a quick trivia question. Which actors played the three main characters in that movie? (Answer below.)
As California lawyers, it states on our license that we are an "Attorney and Counselor at Law." At the Law Offices of Robert A. McLaughlin, we take those words very seriously.
Difference between Attorney and Counselor
As your 'attorney,' we are required to vigorously protect your rights using all available resources at our disposal. That's the easy part. But as an 'attorney' AND 'counselor,' we are also required to thoughtfully review the law and the facts in your case. That means we must review the merits of your case when you first come to our office and continue to analyze your case as it progresses.
The Good...
We often like to begin our review with the good parts of your case. This includes identifying the facts of your case which work in your favor from a legal standpoint. Specifically, we're always on the lookout for good evidence that will produce a positive result. Plus, we also focus on how we will advocate and present the good facts during the course of your case and, if necessary, at trial.
The Bad...
But to focus on just the 'good facts' while ignoring the 'bad facts' that the other side will use to attempt to prevail is the sign of an inadequate attorney and advocate. At our office, we constantly look at these alleged 'bad facts' and ask ourselves these questions:
- Are they really bad?
- Is there a way a so-called 'bad fact' can actually be a 'good fact' if presented properly?
- If so, how do we present these alleged 'bad facts' in a good light?
But what we cannot do is stick our heads in the sand like an ostrich and just ignore these 'bad facts.' And yes, every case has alleged 'bad facts.' If the case does not, the case almost always never goes to trial and is settled long before the possibility of it becoming a court case. But those cases are far and few between.
The Ugly...
The same can be said of the so-called 'ugly facts.' While less common than bad facts, 'ugly facts' still sometimes arise in a case. Some ugly facts might seem innocent at first. But as the case progresses, these facts can cast a large, ominous shadow over the outcome of the case. Picture an old movie plot, in which in the heat of an argument, an innocent murder suspect is overheard telling the victim hours before his murder, "I am going to kill you." He never meant he would literally kill the victim, but that offhand comment now casts a shadow of guilt over the suspect and must be dealt with in some manner at trial.
The Truth...
In the world of litigation there is a saying, "If the answer to the question sounds bad in your law office, the answer will sound a thousand times worse under the bright lights of the courtroom." That is not to say you cannot find ways to deal with alleged 'ugly facts.' There are ways our experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert A. McLaughlin have learned to deal with these potentially 'ugly facts' and, in simple terms, make them look prettier.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert A. McLaughlin have over 40 years of litigation experience dealing with the good facts, the bad facts and the ugly ones. As your attorney, we will use our experience to best advocate and present your case. We will also use our knowledge to counsel you on the impact all the facts could have on your chances of prevailing. That way, you can make informed decisions about whether to accept a settlement or take your case to trial. This is where counseling is key. As your attorney, we will keep you informed about all the facts in your case, especially the bad and the ugly ones. That way, you will know exactly where you stand at all times with respect to your ability to prevail in your case.
So now you know the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of case analysis at the Law Offices of Robert A. McLaughlin. And if you want to know more about what we can do for you, simply contact us and schedule your free case review.
Trivia question answer: The Good, Clint Eastwood (Blondie), the Bad, Lee Van Cleef (Angel Eyes), and the Ugly, Eli Wallach (Tuco).