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If a career is dedicated to just one type of case, whether representing defendants or plaintiffs, there can be a tendency to view things through a specific lens shaped by that experience. However, once an attorney switches sides and starts handling cases for the other side, it opens their eyes to the challenges and opportunities involved.
On the defense side, there’s an appreciation that every case ultimately has a monetary value, and an understanding of the pressures faced by the defense. Additionally, there’s a recognition of the often unwillingness of defense clients to take a case to trial. This perspective helps attorneys become more aggressive when representing plaintiffs, as they understand the importance of getting cases to trial, which is where their skill set is most effective and where they have been most successful.
Chicago, IL trial attorney Michael Leonard discusses how his experience on both sides of employment cases helps him. He explains that when your career is focused on representing either defendants or plaintiffs in a specific type of case, it’s natural to develop a certain perspective based on your experience. However, switching sides and handling cases for the opposite party can broaden your understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved. As a defense attorney, you gain an appreciation for the monetary value of each case and the pressures faced by the defense side. You also become aware of the defense clients’ reluctance to go to trial. This newfound insight can fuel a more assertive approach when representing plaintiffs, as the ultimate goal is to bring cases to trial where your skills and successes are most valuable.