Need to Communicate Complicated Stuff? Talk About People

If you speak English and only English, does it make sense for me to explain something to you in French — even if I speak slowly? Of course not. While you probably never make this specific mistake with your clients, almost all of us commit a version of it on a regular basis. We try to explain complicated legal problems using what we consider to be “simple” or “basic” legal language. The result is almost inevitable: No matter how slowly you talk, how clearly you break down your points, many clients still get confused.

Originally published January 9, 2018 0 1