What Law School Didn’t Teach Me (But My Clients Did)

Law school was tough.

It taught me how to think critically, dissect arguments, and write pages of legal analysis under pressure. It gave me the tools to pass the bar and build a foundation in real estate law.

But:

Law school doesn’t prepare you for what really matters most in practice: your clients.

Over the years, it’s been the real people I’ve worked with who’ve taught me the most important lessons in my career.

1. Integrity is Everything (Even When It’s Inconvenient)

Law school taught me the rules.

My clients taught me to live by them, even when no one’s watching.

Integrity in the legal field is about being honest when it’s uncomfortable. It’s about telling a client what they need to hear. And sometimes, it means turning down a case if it’s not the right fit.

2. People Don’t Just Want a Lawyer—They Want a Human

Law school taught me how to write a brief.

Clients taught me how to listen.

Empathy, patience, and clear communication have made a bigger impact on my clients than any else ever could.

3. Clarity Beats Complexity—Every Time

In school, we were taught to sound like lawyers.

In real life, clients just want to understand what’s going on.

The best feedback I’ve ever received was: "Thank you for explaining that in plain English."

Legal education thrives on complexity. But clients thrive on clarity. I’ve learned to translate the law into language that empowers my clients instead of intimidating them.

4. The Law Isn’t About Being Right. It’s About Being Fair.

Law school sharpens your ability to “win” an argument. But clients have shown me the value of resolution, not just confrontation. Many of the best outcomes don’t come from a courtroom: they come from collaboration, strategy, and respect.

5. Growth Comes from Real Experience, Not Just Education

I’m proud of my education.

But I’m even prouder of the way I’ve evolved because of my clients.

Each one has made me a better lawyer and a better person.

Final Thoughts

To aspiring lawyers:

Your clients will be your greatest teachers. Listen to them.

To current clients:

Thank you for your trust, your patience, and your willingness to let me guide you through some of life’s most complex moments.

📩 Want more legal insights?

 Subscribe to our newsletter or follow me on LinkedIn for talk on real estate law, client care, and protecting what matters.