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The right lawyer can help you apologize
By Lauren | February 20, 2009
This morning’s Today Show included a segment on corporate apologies - naturally, I watched with interest. The guest made several excellent points, but lost me completely when he started lawyer-bashing. Admittedly, I’m a little sensitive on that subject because I’m an attorney, but my back went straight up when the guest dismissively said that lawyers tell their clients to “cover up” their mistakes rather than admit and apologize for them.
Nonsense.
No responsible attorney will encourage a client to engage in a cover-up. To the contrary, a good lawyer knows that making an effective apology when something goes wrong can be a tremendous help in court. What lawyers also recognize, however, is that an effective apology usually includes an admission of responsibility. If an apology is carelessly worded it can go too far, making it sound as though the person who’s apologizing is admitting to more fault than is fair or accurate. Recognizing that people are frequently less careful about how they use words than they might be, responsible lawyers will counsel their clients about what to say and how to say it when apologizing. That’s not a cover-up, it’s just good advice.
All apologies are not created equal. The casual apology made to a friend or loved one is very different from an apology delivered in a business setting where an expensive lawsuit is looming. If you or your company is in a situation where you have to apologize to an angry customer or client, it makes good sense to talk with an attorney who understands the legal implications of your situation and can help you deliver an apology that’s both effective and accurate. Anyone can tell you to apologize, but sometimes it takes a good lawyer to tell you how.
Topics: Apologies, Business Ethics, Legal Ethics, ethics |