Busting Stereotypes About Your Hometown Lawyer

Most people in communities like St. George, Utah have a very stereotypical image in their minds of the local lawyer. They imagine a big man in a suit with unlimited resources and a burning lust for filthy lucre, ready to sue anyone who gets in his way.

However, the typical slip and fall lawyer in towns like these almost never matches the caricature portrayed in bad jokes and feverish horror stories. Lawyers are often pillars in their communities—honest, upright individuals who do more to serve than many citizens ever know. Here are two common myths about small-town lawyers, complete with the actual truth behind them.

He’s Dishonest

There’s an idea current in places like St. George that slip and fall lawyers are crooked—that they’ll stop at nothing to win a settlement, whether it’s chasing ambulances or misconstruing evidence. This idea has so firmly taken over the minds of some people that the idea of an “honest lawyer” is a novelty—the sort of thing you’d expect to see in a zoo.

The truth is that lawyers are sworn under oath to be honest. They operate under very strict rules, and any sort of dishonesty results in immediate disbarment. You’re probably safer trusting your lawyer than almost anyone else in your community.

He’s Greedy

Slip and fall lawyers are usually highly paid—there’s no question about it. However, that doesn’t make them greedy. Even in small towns like St. George, lawyers need to study in law school for years before they’re able to pass the bar and qualify for practice.

In fact, lawyers are among the most generous professions in America. A typical lawyer will donate money to various community organizations, as well as donating time for occasional pro bono work. Their salaries allow them to make a difference. 

Lawyers in St. George and elsewhere aren’t nearly as bad as some people think. In fact, if you’re ever involved in a slip and fall accident, a lawyer can quickly become your best friend.

Tanner Wadsworth is a legal writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry. Follow on Twitter.