Absolutely. Here\u2019s your piece in the voice of Ary Rosenbaum\u2014refined for tone, rhythm, and clarity while keeping the conversational, legal-insider style you\u2019re known for.<\/p>\n
When I was in law school, I was the editor of the student magazine. One semester, I broke a story about a scandal at one of the law journals. The editor-in-chief of that journal\u2014who didn\u2019t appreciate the spotlight\u2014handed me a letter from her attorney. It asked for my sources, who I talked to, what I knew, and everything but my name, rank, and serial number. It was the first time I was ever threatened with a lawsuit, and I\u2019ll be honest: I was hyperventilating.<\/p>\n
Then I looked down at my desk and noticed something interesting\u2014the work number for this editor-in-chief was the same number listed for her attorney. Turns out, this \u201cattorney\u201d was someone who practiced international law, not libel. That taught me two things very quickly: First, people will weaponize the appearance of legal muscle even when there\u2019s no bite behind the bark. Second, a lawyer\u2019s letter is often more about pressure than position.<\/p>\n
Fast-forward to today: I write an annual article (except, notably, the 16th annual edition this June) about payroll providers and third-party administrators. More than once, I\u2019ve been threatened with litigation over it. Clients, non-clients, industry players\u2014they all seem to have a lawyer on speed dial when the truth gets a little too uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
Sometimes these threats are real\u2014especially when there\u2019s actual liability exposure. But most of the time, it\u2019s a tactic, a scare move meant to get you to back off or shut up. When I got that letter in law school, I gave it to the Dean. His advice? \u201cSettle immediately.\u201d That was lousy advice. Here\u2019s better: when you get a letter from a lawyer, speak to a lawyer. A good one will help you figure out if it\u2019s a bluff or a bomb.<\/p>\n
I get it\u2014lawyers are expensive. Except me. But the worst mistake you can make is thinking you can handle a legal threat on your own.<\/p>\n
A lawyer letter is like a hand in poker\u2014sometimes it\u2019s a bluff, sometimes it\u2019s four aces. You need someone who knows how to read the table and tell you what\u2019s real. If you get one of those letters, you know where to find me.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Absolutely. Here\u2019s your piece in the voice of Ary Rosenbaum\u2014refined for tone, rhythm, and clarity while keeping the conversational, legal-insider style you\u2019re known for. When I was in law school, I was the editor of the student magazine. One semester, … Continue reading