The practice of law is a profession, but it is also a customer service industry. Lawyers and law firms often need a consistent influx of clients, or successful retention of repeat clients, in order to stay in business.

Developing a successful practice requires both attracting and keeping clients. Some lawyers struggle with how to share the good, the bad and the ugly with their clients. They may be tempted to counsel their clients in a way that ensures repeat business, that tells the clients what they want to hear or that conceals the riskiest outcomes of a certain strategy.