"anyone who acts as his own lawyer has a fool for a client

by Mr. Fabian Collier Sr. 5 min read

The adage a man who is his own lawyer has a fool for his client means that representing yourself in court is foolish. It comes from a perception that it is difficult for a person who does not have detailed knowledge of the law to present the evidence, arguments, and legal opinion that would convince a judge or jury to decide in his favour.

Full Answer

Does the man who is his own lawyer have a fool?

Jul 30, 2019 · It is an old law adage, copied from the Italian proverb of Che s’insegna, &c. that the man who is his own lawyer has a fool for his client. If he undertakes, of choice, to become so in …

What is Fool for a client?

As with many proverbs, it is difficult to determine a precise origin but this expression first began appearing in print in the early 19th century. An early example comes in The flowers of wit, or a …

Can a man represent himself as his own lawyer?

Definition of a man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client in the Idioms Dictionary. a man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client phrase. What does a man who is his own lawyer …

What's the origin of the phrase'a man who is his own lawyer?

Jun 07, 2019 · A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client. This proverb is based on the opinion, probably first expressed by a lawyer, that self-representation in court is likely to end …

What is a man judged by?

a man is judged by his deeds , not by his words. a man is judged by the company he keeps. a man is known by the company he keeps. a man of few words. a man of God/the cloth. a man of his word. a man of letters.

What does "man on a mission" mean?

a man on the street. a man or a mouse. a man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client. a man who stands for nothing falls for anything. a man who stands for nothing will fall for anything. a man with a mission. a man without a smiling face must not open a shop.

What does it mean when a lawyer says he has a fool for a client?

This proverb is based on the opinion, probably first expressed by a lawyer, that self-representation in court is likely to end badly.

Can an attorney practice outside his field?

An attorney practicing outside his field would likely lack the contacts necessary to facilitate the swift, satisfactory completion of the matter. For instance, most commercial transactions involve the participation of third parties. Thus, an attorney trying to capitalize on a business idea that he may have identified should seek to engage attorneys that are familiar with the venture capital market place.

Is it bad to represent yourself in court?

Whether the defendant is a trained lawyer or not, most attorneys have long accepted the conventional wisdom that representing oneself in court, known as pro se representation, is a bad idea. There’s an old saying that a person who represents himself in court has a fool for a client.

Is a dog bite a personal injury?

Every personal injury matter, even one as seemingly simple as a car accident, or a dog bite claim, can often be both a very complicated and detailed matter, unless it is handled correctly. For example, and depending on the facts of the case, there are ALWAYS many factors (aside from the laws themselves) that come into play and can affect a claim – factors that an average person would simply never even consider.

Why is due diligence important?

Simply, because any case with that amount of exposure will cause ALL parties (including the insurance company) to exercise as much “due diligence" as possible to determine whether the claim has merit. Plus, the best means of performing “due diligence" regarding any claim is through the process of litigation.

Who is Eugene Ahtirski?

The Law Offices of Eugene Ahtirski is a California “State-Wide" boutique Law Firm with Nationwide Associates. Since, 1989, Mr. Ahtirski and his associates have handled thousands of matters, and have always focused on representing clients in certain specific areas of law; one key area of which is personal injury.