Every professional wants to be the boss. Every doctor who recommends a particular treatment wants her patient to do what she recommends. And, of course, every lawyer wants his client to follow his advice. It’s naturalthe professional is the professional in the relationship and it makes complete sense that, if he gives advice, the individual who comes to him for that advice should take and follow it. Some lawyers are extremely aggressive in trying to get the client to adhere to their advice, some less so. It’s often a matter of personal philosophy, style, demeanor and skills of persuasion, and it will necessarily vary from one lawyer to the next.
Nonetheless, of course, it doesn’t always happen that the patient or client will listen, for a whole host of reasons. Perhaps the professional advice is too humiliating to follow. Maybe it’s too hard, or the patient or client is too lazy or undisciplined to do what is recommended. Or, it is even possible that the patient or client has a hidden or overt agenda that motivates him, and the professional can’t seem to pierce or overcome that motivation. Maybe, the client is simply a contrarian. And maybe, the patient or client is moved by a matter of the hearthe refuses to deny a loved one the possibility of receiving his kidney (even when the chances of successful transplant are remote), or adamantly refuses to give evidence against the loved one even though to do so would be a complete defense to charges against him.
