Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Lawguru itself tabulates how many times an attorney responses to a posted question and then shows that figure on the list of top ten responders. The attorney has no ability to control that tabulation; lawguru can not check every answer to see how extensive it is.

While Mr. McCormick has disagreed with some of my responses, he is very knowledgeable in the law and gives good answers. Often the only sound legal answer that can be given is that we do not know what the question is or the facts are so lacking that we can not give a sound legal answer. That is not his fault but rather that of the person posting the question. I personally do not think you criticism is justified.

I am going to have to agree with Mr. Shers.

I realize it is frustrating, but you need to understand that the proper legal advice is very factually dependent. I think many of my clients are surprised at the number of questions that I ask them, when they come to me with what they think is a simple legal question. I ask these questions because the law is full of exceptions. Clients have not had the legal education that I received, or the amount of experience in practice, and are not aware that there are things that affect the outcome of their case or legal matter.

The electronic bulletin board service that lawguru utilizes can make determining all of the facts that are applicable to a given legal dilemma very difficult. People are often reluctant to reveal all of the intimate details of their situation, usually for a good reason. If an attorney tells you he or she needs more information, don't be shy about sending that attorney a personal e-mail, which is more private, to fully discuss your situation.

Don't assume that the attorney who answers the most lawguru questions is the best for your personal situation. I can tell you that some months I have answered a lot of questions, and some months I have answered hardly any. That stems more from the amount of time that I have available, than it does from any experience or expertise. Some months I am engaged in appellate work, or getting ready for trial, and do not have the time to answer everyone's question. I'm sure that Mr. McCormick has the same time constraints.

I agree with Mr. Shers and Mr. Roach. I have read many of Mr. McCormick's answers over the years. I generally find them to be quite good. There may have been exceptions, though none leap to mind.