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Re:Beer by 7Figures2Commas on Wednesday October 16, 2013 @01:07PM (#6560778)
My SO is an attorney so I'll respond by relaying a couple of things I hear first-hand on a regular basis:

1. Many clients ignore the advice they're given.

2. Big companies spend lots of money settling lawsuits that could have been completely avoided.

A six or seven-figure lawsuit, which may require tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend, is an inconvenience at a billion dollar company. It can be the end of a startup or small business.

Re:Beer by tptacek on Wednesday October 16, 2013 @10:49PM (#6563410)
Of course they ignore it. If they took every counsel opinion to the bank, they'd almost never sign a contract.
Re:Beer by 7Figures2Commas on Thursday October 17, 2013 @02:11AM (#6563910)
I know criticizing attorneys is a fashionable pastime, but your comment is neither informed nor creative. I know it may come as a shock, but attorneys make a lot more money structuring, negotiating and drafting agreements than they do advising clients not to enter into them.

This said, the type of advice that I was referring to pertains to legal compliance and best practices in the context of running a business. Example:

1. An employer is advised by counsel that it must or should keep certain records.

2. It, for whatever reason, fails to do so.

3. As a result of its failure, it is fined, or is less able to defend itself in a lawsuit.

This sort of thing happens. Every single day. The only thing being taken to the bank is money that employers never had to part with in the first place.

Re:Beer by tptacek on Thursday October 17, 2013 @08:37AM (#6564920)
I'm not criticizing attorneys. I like attorneys. I don't think you're reading my comments very carefully.