Just heard through the grapevine that my best client is dumping me

[Mr. Ected]

I'm a real estate lawyer, handling primarily residential transactions in the state of Georgia. One of my best clients is a local bank, and we've had a wonderful working relationship for a couple of years. I work for a mid-size law firm, but have my own office in a small town north of Atlanta. Unfortunately, the firm is responsible for staffing, and has turned my office into a revolving door when it comes to paralegal help. In Atlanta, this causes no problems; in my little town, it precludes developing lasting relationships and trust. After having 4 points of contact in the span of one year, the bank VP said enough is enough and is pulling the plug on me.

Mind you, this is an act of petulance...quality has not suffered and customer service is our forte...but nevertheless, I have just lost the source of 30% of my business.

Not the news I needed today, amidst these already trying times.

[mix]

1. Sorry to hear that...these are tough times.

Hoping for the best.

[Mr. Ected]

2. Thank you

I'm having a hard time with this...can't help but take it personally...it's not about the money...it's about being REJECTED...and not being able to do a damned thing about it.

[RandomThoughts]

3. Don't feel rejected.

People reject so they can feel better about themselves.

All are welcome.

[Mr. Ected]

4. Thanks...kind words

I'll take solace in them.

[Moondog]

5. Ah, the joys of private practice.

Have you considered the possibility that the rationale you have been given has nothing to do with what actually has occurred?

By this I mean, consider the the possibilities that: a competitor has underbid your firm (you do have an overhead that goes to the mothership firm); that another firm has some connection, familial, friendship, "dating", or otherwise that trumps your connection with this bank's decision-making personnel; the firm now getting the work has provided a job to someone that the decision-makers at the bank have directed for a myriad of possible reasons; other forms of indirect compensation to the decision-makers which are only limited by the imagination and the interests of the decision-makers at the bank.

I could go on, but I am more than sure that you can follow this line of reasoning.

My sympathies. Now pick yourself up (tomorrow AM is soon enough), compensate, and move on.

[Mr. Ected]

7. Good line of thought

Any or all of the above could be true. Looks like I'll need to beat the pavement tomorrow and put this in the rear view mirror.

[applegrove]

6. I'm really sorry.