Who Do You Represent?

One of the questionable pleasures of being snowed in is that I get the opportunity to see what Lifetime Network movies have to offer. Today it is a teacher being falsely accused of having a sexual relationship with a student. The teacher is fighting criminal charges in court, and her lawyer was advising her of all of the potential consequences of various actions. The teacher then said the thing that lawyers hate to hear most: "Who do you represent anyway?" Unless you tell people what they want to hear, you must be looking out for the "other side". Do you tell your oncologist that he is "pro-cancer" when he's telling you of the risks and advising you of the options? There is no way for any lawyer to do his/her job without telling a client the pros and cons of their case and recommending a course of action, even if you risk hearing those dreaded words. Do yourself and your lawyer a favor, take it for what it is. It is professional advice given with your best interests in mind by someone retained by you to represent you.