Some thoughts on lawyering for underprivileged clients

The legal profession is notorious for its financial rewards, with service charges varying from 500 pesos per hour to astronomical sums reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars for complex cases. Unfortunately, this only reinforces the public perception that "hiring a lawyer is expensive."

While affordability is a relative concept, we need to understand the effect it has on the poorest individuals in our society. For them, the cost of hiring a lawyer can amount to their entire life savings, forcing them to face the daunting decision of seeking legal representation when they feel abandoned and left to navigate their struggles alone.

Once you become a lawyer, you will quickly realize that communicating with underprivileged clients may sometimes be difficult. It may be tempting to prioritize those who can afford your premium services and dismiss the concerns of the less fortunate. However, a more noble and compassionate approach involves understanding the realities they face.

The wealthy can allocate significant financial resources to prevent legal disputes, safeguarding their interests and preserving their wealth. For them, paying lawyers is simply a cost of doing business. However, the economically disadvantaged are confronted with a harsh reality. Every penny spent on legal representation represents a substantial sacrifice. Placing their trust in a stranger and investing their meagre savings, they hope for the protection of their fundamental rights—life, liberty, and property.

As a lawyer or dreaming of becoming one, reflect on the change you can have as a lawyer, not only in terms of financial rewards but also in serving those who need it the most. While the allure of earning money is undeniable, there is also fulfillment that comes from helping the underprivileged. Of course, the issue of poverty runs deep and cannot be solved by a lone lawyer. But with your title, you now have the power to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your clients.

Communicating with underprivileged clients requires lots of empathy and understanding. It can be tempting to focus solely on the legal aspects of their cases, but true advocacy goes beyond that. Take the time to listen to their stories, comprehend their emotions, and guide them with logic and reason. By offering both legal expertise and human compassion, you become not just a lawyer, but a human who understands how your countrymen feel marginalized and unheard.

If you are a lawyer or working to become one, try hard to never forget the humanity that lies at the heart of your profession. Try to be a transformative force that your clients or fellow human beings desperately need.