Attorneys have always been referred to as sharks. It's a long and storied practice but whether or not it's true, I leave you to be the judge of this.
Some clients walk into my office's conference room looking confident. In fact, too confident making it easy for us to deflate their balloon-sized ego and they leave disappointed.
Some clients walk in looking jittery, the fear is written boldly on their faces though they try their hardest to hide it. Again, we simply bring their fears to life by highlighting the shortfalls of the case and squeeze every penny out of their pockets. They leave empty-handed.
McKenzie & Dunn, LLP is one of the best law firms in Phoenix, Arizona and since I started working with them, we've had over 80% wins with our cases. I am one of their weapons but no one knows this.
Everytime a negotiation meeting is fixed and parties meet, I attend with either of the senior partners and watch the demeanor of the opponent party. Based on my review, the senior partners make their move and the meetings end in our clients' favour.
I am usually the first to sit at the conference table and then the opposing attorney comes in with his or her client. I appear calm and nonchalant, like some other staff and not like an attorney. This appearance and conduct is always my armour. The opposing attorney and his client let down their guard.
Then either or both of the senior partners and one or two other associates walk in and take their seats beside me. I lean into the person taking the lead in the negotiations and give them my review. It's psychological, sort of. We aim to get into the minds of our opponent. How else can we win?
Based on this review, we know what to expect from the opposing side before they speak. We move in for the kill and close the case in under an hour. We smile, shake hands and everyone departs. We try not to waste much time on one case as we have hundreds to attend to and this keeps the money rolling in.
Would you say mean? I don't think so. No wonder people refer to us as sharks.
I hope you enjoyed reading my piece. This freewrite is inspired by the prompt "armor". Join the 
Image by: August de Richelieu on Pexels
Image by: August de Richelieu on Pexels