Whatshot

2026
2025
November
2024
June
April
2023
March
2022
2021
2020
March
February
2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2015
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2014
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2013
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
2012
December
November
October
September
August
July

Legal Talk

Legal Talk

Author: Fawzia Khan
Date: 2019-07-26

BEING AN ATTORNEY

For me being an attorney is about helping people by finding workable solutions to their problem. I consider it a privilege that my clients have entrusted me to represent them, often during the most emotionally difficult period in their lives.

I try to understand what my client's needs, goals and expectations are, and then see how best I can help the client achieve those goals within the confines of what the law will allow. Being tenacious whilst representing our clients has certainly earned our law firm respect amongst our peers.

Litigation is the most costly of all forms of dispute resolution and may not necessarily be the best or only means to get a matter resolved. Having a round table conference with the "other side", entering into negotiations, or looking at mediation and arbitration should also be considered. Together with the client, we work out the various possible solutions, strategies and workable outcomes. The client can then make an informed choice.

I'm mindful of the costs of litigation, both financially and emotionally and the fact that not every person will have the appetite to run a full-blown trial to its final conclusion. By offering the most cost effective and expeditious resolution for my client, we have seen many of those clients returning to our firm for assistance on other legal issues and/or have recommended us to others.

Dealing with insulting, argumentative or sometimes downright rude and belligerent behaviour comes with the territory in the professional life of a litigation practitioner. Very rarely do I take litigation affronts personally. Engaging with one's opponents in a robust manner is considered part of job. However, no matter how robust my dealings may be with my colleague opposition, my aim is always to do what is in the clients best interests and not allow any sparring to become a personal ego issue between colleagues.

Even though the day is over, it doesn't necessarily mean my workload is done. It's not uncommon for me to send an agreement to my client by email at around midnight and by 6h30 the next morning the client and I are in contact with each other finalizing the contents of the document. This, I believe is what gives our firm the edge over our competitors.

Whilst it's true that the bigger law firms have bigger budgets and resources than the smaller law firms, ultimately, I believe that as ours is a service orientated profession, at the end of the day it's that particular attorney's efforts and hard work (or lack thereof), which will yield the results for the client and not simply the name of the law firm. The aim at our firm is to deliver a product which can be held up to the scrutiny of the courts. That is the litmus test. That means doing sufficient research on the matter whilst also having the technical skills and tools to handle the case.

Know your rights! The Law Desk of Fawzia Khan & Associates. GivingYouthe Power of Attorney! Emailfawzia@thelawdesk.co.zaor call 031-5025670 for legal assistance at competitive rates.