From Judith’s Desk 〰️ How to Translate Hampton Law Firm
- Hampton Law Firm ⚖️
- Jul 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 30
A collection of thoughts that didn’t make it to the blog.
Lawyers speak English, but not always in the way ordinary people understand it.
Years of practicing law teach us how to communicate entire paragraphs through a carefully chosen phrase, a raised eyebrow, or a silence that lasts approximately two seconds longer than politeness requires. We learn to remain civil while disagreeing completely, to threaten without technically threatening, and to tell someone an idea is terrible without creating an email that will later be attached to a motion.
For the benefit of anyone who regularly deals with lawyers, I have begun compiling an unofficial translation dictionary.
When a lawyer says, “That is interesting,” it rarely means the subject has captured her imagination. It usually means she has never heard anyone interpret the law that way and needs a moment to decide whether correcting the person is worth the energy.
“We will certainly consider that” means the proposal has been received and will now be placed in the same mental file as requests for free representation and meetings scheduled at 4:55 on Friday afternoon.
“I understand your position” does not mean agreement. It means the lawyer has heard the argument, identified its defects, and is choosing not to explain all of them yet.
“With all due respect” is a warning label. The amount of respect actually due will be determined by whatever follows.
“I do not believe the court will find that persuasive” means the argument is bad, the evidence is worse, and the speaker is giving everyone one final opportunity to avoid embarrassment.
“Let me make sure I understand” means something has gone wrong. The lawyer understands perfectly well. She is creating a slow, orderly path back through the conversation so the other person can hear the problem in their own words.
“That is not my recollection” means the lawyer remembers exactly what happened and probably has documentation.
“We may need to involve the court” means the time for friendly discussion is rapidly expiring.
“I will discuss it with my client” can mean many things, including that the client will immediately reject the proposal, that counsel needs time to stop laughing, or that no responsible attorney would answer before escaping the room.
“I appreciate your candor” means the person has said something unexpectedly honest, catastrophically damaging, or both.
“Respectfully, no” means no. There is no second layer. It is one of the rare moments when the translation is identical to the original.
Lawyers also communicate through punctuation. A period placed after “Thank you” can carry more hostility than an entire page of insults. An email beginning with “Counsel” instead of a first name indicates that relations have cooled. The phrase “Please govern yourself accordingly” means everyone should clear their calendar because the paperwork is coming.
None of this is necessarily dishonest. Legal work requires precision, restraint, and a written record that can survive being displayed on a courtroom screen six months later. We learn to place sharp objects inside soft language because professionalism demands that even a declaration of war arrive properly formatted.
So the next time a lawyer tells you your suggestion is “interesting,” do not become overly encouraged.
It may simply mean she is trying very hard not to use the first word that came to mind.
JLH
Come see us at:
📍 203 North Main Street
Farmerville, Louisiana 71231
Contact us at:
📱 Call or Text 318-368-7444
💬 For a quick-start, text "HELP" to 318-368-7444
🛜 Chat with our front desk using our App – Join our mobile community by downloading the “Spaces by Wix” App for free from your App store, search “Hampton Law Firm” and use Invite Code VCZQIA to join!
Comments