The Canberra Times

Communication at the heart of securing the right lawyers on your team

Focus on communication: Lawyer Lauren Babic is one member of the experienced team at BAL. Picture: Supplied
Focus on communication: Lawyer Lauren Babic is one member of the experienced team at BAL. Picture: Supplied

This is branded content for BAL Lawyers.

In life, it's a comforting feeling having a team of professionals around us who know their stuff and provide the advice and guidance we all need as we navigate the challenges that inevitability arrive on our doorsteps.

There's your family GP, your dentist, accountant and regular mechanic who you know well and trust to help keep you and your life ticking over.

But while many of us have long relationships with our circle of invaluable service providers, it's often not until things go wrong that we think about the importance of having a good lawyer to turn to.

It could be at times of high stress such as in a marriage breakdown or a custody dispute, or when you've been involved in an accident. Or perhaps one of great sadness when you become responsible for looking after the estate process following the death of someone close to you.

But there are plenty of advantages to having your own familiar lawyer to call on without having to trawl the Internet or quiz friends for recommendations at a time when acquiring a lawyer's services might be urgent.

Just like with your doctor, dentist or mechanic, it's reassuring to already have an established relationship before you hit one of life's hurdles.

There are many stages in your life as individuals or families where you may need a lawyer. These can include buying your first house, selling it, preparing a will to look after your family, or if you are injured.

What if you suddenly found yourself facing a serious legal problem that needed you to act quickly?

The better your lawyer knows you, your history and your situation, the better and faster they'll be able to assist you.

At the heart of engaging the right lawyer for you is communication. As well as the essential legal expertise and experience you expect, they must also be someone you can talk to easily, be understood and also understand.

BAL Legal Director Mark Love.
BAL Legal Director Mark Love.

Mark Love, a lawyer with more than 35 years experience and a founder of BAL Lawyers, one of Canberra's most respected law firms, said communication is at the heart of developing a good relationship with your lawyer.

"We believe that excellent service begins with feeling heard," Mr Love said. "We focus on listening very carefully to our clients to find out their specific needs and circumstances."

"There are many different times in life when people may need a lawyer and we know many of these can be at times of stress so we take the time to understand your situation fully and then find the best way to move forward together.

"Then we can collaborate across our service areas to ensure you receive a considered solution."

BAL's wide range of service areas include Business and Commercial; Employment Law and Investigations; Estates and Estate Planning; Litigation and Dispute Resolution; Planning, Environment and Local Government; and Property.

The law is a complex beast with its own often confusing language and processes, so having a legal partner skilled in being able to translate details into plain English is essential.

Mr Love, who is presently the Chair of the ACT Law Society Legal Practice and Ethics Committee, said one of his missions with his business has been to ensure his team are experts in breaking down legal jargon.

"We know this is a very important part of what we do, being able to translate the complexities of the law for our clients," he said.

"We value long-term relationships, so we tailor our service offering to allow us to travel alongside our clients every step of the way and help them find the right outcomes and move forward with confidence."

Located in the heart of Canberra, BAL Lawyers provides expert and comprehensive legal services to individuals, businesses, organisations and government. We believe that excellent service begins with feeling heard. At BAL we are pragmatic, diligent and we actively listen and consider your legal matter carefully before providing a considered solution. Our team has earned a reputation for technical mastery, based on their dedication and expertise. Each of our lawyers takes pride in navigating complex matters to find the right way forward.

This is branded content for BAL Lawyers.