Our family attorney has been wonderful to us since my mother’s death last January, and, in addition to a Christmas card, I was considering sending a gift, probably in the $50 range.
Is this appropriate? If so, what would be an appropriate gift?
I was considering gift certificates to a nice restaurant, but mostly just chain restaurants offer those. I would really like something a little more personal, as a way of saying thanks for the support, and good counsel he has provided us.
IANAL, but I like my leather portfolio with a slot for a pen. It’s handy for meetings and insures that I always have my pen with me. Or else a nice pen.
While a gift is certainly not necessary (after all, he already charged you for the work), it’s by no means inappropriate. I’ve gotten stuff from happy clients before and it’s always greatly appreciated.
I’m sorry to say I don’t have any suggestions to offer, except to note that there are some nice restaurants that have gift certificates so you might call around a bit.
I considered this, but I don’t even know if he drinks. I’d die of embarrassment if I sent him liquor only to find out he’s an alcoholic, dry for “x years.”
A noose? A sharp knife? A loaded handgun with a hair trigger?
But seriously folks (ba dum bum), whenever I’ve gotten gifts from clients, it has always touched me. One client gave me a nice pen set. Well, it was an ugly mottled zebra color, but it was definitely the thought that counted.
Another client (an artist) gave me a piece of her artwork. My wife has gotten this too. I’ve even put beautiful note cards that clients have sent me, thanking me, up on the wall of my office. It really is the thought that counts.
A gift certificate is OK; I wouldn’t mind getting one; but an actual gift is always better. (Even if you’re not a lawyer!)
What do you call 10,000 lawyers at the bottom of the sea?
A good start.
Come on, a thread like this is begging for a little abuse!
IANAL (heh, never thought I’d have to say that for a non-legal answer), but a number of locales sell gift certificates that can be used at a variety of restaurants, including some top-shelf places. Here in the Buffalo/NF area, for example, there’s a kiosk at the outlet mall which sells a “restaurant passport” valid at over 100 local restauants, including some nice local eateries. It might be something worth looking into.
Lawyer jokes aside , this guy is a “good guy.” He’s gone beyond the call of normal lawyer stuff IMO, and deserves something extra as a way of saying thank you, from me and my family to him.
You may with to check that his firm has no policies restricting gifts from clients. I’ve run across some that prohibit anything worth more than $50.
A quick chat with the firm’s receptionist or his paralegal is in order - make sure there aren’t any restrictions, and if you’re thinking of alcohol, odds are good that they’ll know your attorney’s favorite.
And, if you’ve had much contact with said receptionist/paralegal, they’d love some sort of recognition as well.
Oops, forgot about chocolates. Always a good gift, and one that I have gotten. (They weren’t good quality, but she was a Russian immigrant, and we had only gotten a few thousand for her. But it was heartfelt nonetheless, and that’s all that mattered. In any case, chocolate is like sex; even when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good.)
ExTank, I didn’t realize it was your post. Hi! I’m sorry about your loss. I’m also sorry for making the lawyer jokes that make light of your situation, now that I reread the OP.
Y’know, to my mind, even more important than the gift is what you’ll say in the card you’ll attach to the gift. If it comes from the heart, that’s all that will matter. As I said, I’ve only gotten it about half a dozen times in my legal career, so that when I did get it, it really made an impression on me.
Tell this guy in the card just what you’ve said here: that he’s gone above and beyond the call, and you appreciate it in this difficult time.
Here’s a website that has tons of gifts for lawyers: For Counsel
Some of them are a bit cheesy, but you can sort the wheat from the chaff.
Ditto (last Friday to be precise). A nice thing about chocolates is that they are easily shared with the legal team. Behind every good lawyer, there is often a good clerk or two etc. who also appreciate acknowledgement.
Thanks all for the tips and links, and the tip about including the receptionists and paralegals. I’m thinking a higher-end box of those chocolate covered cherries (maybe the kind with liquer in them), but I’ll check with my lawyer’s office help first.
jgroub: don’t sweat it; I’ve initiated legal process, and just that act alone has instilled some peace of mind.
He Who Shall Not Be Mentioned was planning a little Holiday Getaway in Florida, but a Court Summons has acted as Vacation Interruptus. So one small slice of revenge was Served.
