I finally stopped chasing client references after that court case in Denver

Last month I was at a hearing in Denver for a case that fell apart because the client's reference list was full of fake names. The judge was not friendly about it, and I realized I'd been relying on those references to justify taking on risky work for years. Now I run a conflict check through the state bar database and pay $40 for a background search on any new client over $5k. It's slower but way better than sitting through another deposition where I look like I didn't do my homework. Anyone else switched to verified references only after a bad experience?

2 comments

2 Comments

oliviagrant20d agoMost Upvoted

Damn, that's a smart way to spot fake clients before they waste your time.

kaiharris20d ago

Start treating every reference like a lead witness. I call each one, ask for their license number, and cross-check it against the state roll before I even open a file. Saves me from looking like a clown in front of a judge, and honestly it's made me turn down a few clients I shouldn't have taken anyway.