If you read my blog posts or my Avvo answers, you know that I don't hesitate to tell potential clients and others in need of legal service that some cases can and should be handled pro se, i.e. without an attorney.
But there is a flip-side, and it can be dramatic. Valid cases can be easily ruined by a pro se litigant; money, property, even freedom can all be lost. Ironically, educated litigants, sometimes even with some legal knowledge, can do the most damage to their cases, the classic case of knowing enough to be dangerous, I suppose.
While attorneys can fix some pro se mistakes before they do the most damage, many others are virtually irreversible.
What's the moral: always consult with an attorney before you file a case pro se. The Swanson Firm offers free initial consultations. I don't hesitate to tell a potential client not to use me if the money and issues involved don't justify an attorney; but when they do, clients can move forward knowing their rights will be protected.
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