What Are Examples of Creative Legal Thinking Providing Solutions for Clients?
Lawyer Magazine
What Are Examples of Creative Legal Thinking Providing Solutions for Clients?
When conventional approaches don't cut it, legal professionals often have to think outside the box to win their client's case. From a trial lawyer's chart that demonstrates PTSD impact to a personal injury lawyer's local expertise in securing a fair settlement, here are four instances where creative legal thinking made all the difference.
- Chart Demonstrates PTSD Impact for Retirement
- Balanced Assessment Expands Possibilities
- Creative Compliance in Cannabis Branding
- Local Expertise Wins Fair Settlement
Chart Demonstrates PTSD Impact for Retirement
A few years ago, I represented an officer in the US Army in an administrative separation trial. My client suffered from serious PTSD and, as a result, struggled to maintain the standards expected of an Army officer. To show that he deserved a medical retirement, I created a color-coded chart of his performance reviews and history with PTSD: green indicated his performance was excellent with no PTSD issues, yellow indicated his performance started to falter with some PTSD issues, and red indicated his performance was lacking with significant PTSD issues. The chart made it easy for the jury to understand that my client was struggling to maintain the standards expected of him because of PTSD and, because of that, he received a medical retirement.
Balanced Assessment Expands Possibilities
Creative legal thinking is about more than just advocacy—it's about providing clients with a balanced, objective assessment of their case. By evaluating each matter with a keen eye for the best business solution or the most cost-effective approach, attorneys can truly expand the pot of possibilities for their clients and offer compromises or solutions that aren't initially contemplated.
Creative Compliance in Cannabis Branding
I work as a cannabis lawyer. In cases where parties without a license to grow or produce cannabis want to release a product with their brand onto the market, you have to get creative in terms of what the person is allowed to do and what the parties can actually provide in order to stay compliant while bringing the brand to market. This is done successfully through collaboration and seeing what each party brings to the table in terms of drafting a contract that benefits them both.
Local Expertise Wins Fair Settlement
In a car accident case in Northern Alabama, our client faced resistance from the at-fault driver's insurance company, which downplayed the injuries. Leveraging our deep expertise as local Northern Alabama injury lawyers, we devised a creative legal strategy to counter this. Utilizing accident reconstruction experts familiar with the local scene, we uncovered the true impact of the collision, strengthening our case. Moreover, our approachability and commitment to our community set us apart. We negotiated with the insurance company, demanding a fair settlement reflective of our client's injuries and the at-fault driver's negligence. Recognizing our intimate knowledge of Northern Alabama and our accessible, client-centric approach, the insurance company agreed to a significantly higher settlement, showcasing the power of local expertise and approachability in achieving justice for our clients in car accident cases.
