#YWInsiderTalk - Vol. 11
- Aitijyamoy Mukherjee
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
This week on #YWInsiderTalk
Seema Jhingan speaks with 𝗬𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 about building lasting client relationships through clear advice, proactive support, and a give-first approach rooted in trust and empathy.
YW: What strategies have you found most effective for building trust and long-term relationships with clients?
SEEMA: Building trust and long-term client relationships is central to law practice. Transparent communication, keeping clients informed, explaining complexities clearly, aligning legal and commercial goals, and setting realistic expectations. Showing genuine empathy during stressful times fosters rapport. Clients value authority, clarity, and consistent high-quality results, which cement credibility.
Being proactive, through check-ins or flagging legal risks, builds relationships beyond immediate matters. Many clients now approach me even on nonlegal issues, valuing my opinion or referrals, which I see as a sign of deep trust. Finally, a culture of responsiveness and respect within the team ensures clients feel valued, strengthening relationships built on mutual trust and long-term commitment.
YW: What’s one unconventional approach you’ve taken in your practice that yielded surprising results?
SEEMA: One unconventional approach I’ve taken is ‘giving first’. Offering counsel before expecting briefs. Not everything is about billing or the value of ‘my time’.
There’s incomparable joy in offering initial guidance on urgent legal issues, especially when individuals hesitate to approach a firm due to cost concerns. We offer no-charge consultations, and often, this leads to long-term relationships and loyalty.
At conferences and seminars, I encourage entrepreneurs to seek inputs on their legal challenges and take time post-session to assist, knowing they may lack access to quality advice. This builds goodwill and reputation. Interestingly, some of these individuals become long-standing clients, and others refer us. While referrals aren't the goal they are an encouraging outcome.