Helping You Help Your Clients

HELPING YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS

by Cynthia Golomb

As our ancestors have wryly observed, God couldn't be everywhere, so God invented mothers! A modern variation on this theme applies to many of us in business today. In our various professions, we are often faced with issues which seemingly require us to be everywhere to assist our clients. And, it should be noted that the Internet, while enormously useful, is not necessarily the answer to all of our needs for guidance and information.

Fortunately, we do not have to be everywhere to offer quality service to our clients. Not only are there many capable professionals in various fields to whom we can refer, we are also blessed to have easy access to many outstanding community resources to help us help our clients.

As an attorney who emphasizes family law, I often encounter people who are in the midst of the extremely stressful process of completely reorganizing their lives. In addition to understanding the legal consequences of various decisions they may make, many people need on-going support during this time. Routinely, I refer clients to the Family Life Center in Columbia or to Children of Separation of Divorce, Inc. (COSD). In a cost-effective manner, these organizations provide psychotherapeutic services to my clients and members of their families. By assisting clients to navigate their emotional terrain, these service providers enable me to focus on a legal resolution to the issues presented by my clients.

In family law matters where domestic violence may be a concern, I ask my clients in Howard County to consult with the Domestic Violence Center. The Domestic Violence Center provides excellent support to clients who need to develop a safety plan or, if necessary, who may need shelter for themselves or their children. If it is not convenient for clients to go to the Howard County Domestic Violence Center, I advise them to call the information line provided by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, 1-800-MD HELPS, to locate the domestic violence center near their homes or places of employment.

Community organizations can assist many clients in all sorts of ways. For example, before filing a bankruptcy claim, I advise people to consult with Consumer Credit Counselors. Before suing an employer, I advise clients to visit Careerscope to assess vocational alternatives. Occasionally, when I am unfamiliar with an organization dealing with a particular issue, I refer clients to an obvious, but sometimes overlooked, resource, the local library. I have consistently found librarians to be courteous, knowledgeable, and informed about resources in the community.

In sum, as individual professionals we need not be everywhere to effectively guide our clients. We all can benefit from the services provided by the nonprofit sector in our communities. By connecting with the many organizations we find here, we both enhance our knowledge of the community and assist our clients as well.

Cynthia L. Golomb practices family law in Maryland. Her main office is in Howard County, and she can be reached at 410/988-4209.

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As published in the Columbia Business Monthly, Lawyer Focus Section, April 1998, page B38.

Cynthia M. Lifson was formerly known as Cynthia L. Golomb and can still be reached at 410/988-4209 or by clicking the contact button below.

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