When we decided to write this book, we listed the attributes we disliked about “how to” books.

One of the leading frustrations was reading from authors who thought they knew everything. We don't know everything and that is why we invited so many guests to join us in the previous chapter.

Although we've been copious users of legal services our entire professional lives, we didn't want to be the sole client view in this book. We went out and interviewed folks who hire lawyers and asked them about their experiences.

We chose from a wide range of people. There are CEOs, general counsels, a public relations executive, an academy-award winning movie producer, venture capitalists, an author, a convicted felon who spent over two decades in prison, and even an inductee of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. If nothing else, this shows the type of network you can acquire one day as a lawyer.

We asked them specifically: What types of lawyers do you like the most and which do you like the least? We also promised to keep their names anonymous, so that they'd be completely honest and transparent. We even left in the profanity. We talked about whether we should do this, but it felt disingenuous changing the quotes. Plus, if the issue rose to the level of profanity, maybe we should all pay attention to it. Besides, as a lawyer, you are going to hear these words.

In short, you are about to get a masterclass in what clients like and dislike about lawyers, except there is no way they'd tell their lawyers this in person. To note, these are not transcribed from interviews. These are written quotes that we were given, over email, without any edits.

As Law & Order would say: “These are their stories.”