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A lawsuit is a cooperative venture between a client and an attorney. If either side fails to fulfill his or her obligations with respect to the lawsuit, the case will suffer and perhaps even fail. Your obligations as a client include:

• BEING HONEST
  

You have to tell the attorney the whole story, warts and all. Don't hold back the part of the story that embarrasses you or reflects poorly on your claim. Withholding information or coloring it will ultimately come back to haunt you. Don't force the attorney to drag the story out of you; tell the naked truth up front.

• BEING REALISTIC
  

Contrary to popular opinion, a lawsuit is not the surest way to win the lottery. Lawsuits can compensate you for any actual injury you suffered or any loss you have incurred. Don't expect your lawyer to turn every bump and bruise you suffer into a lifetime of luxury for you. Be patient. Obtaining a judgment or a settlement that compensates you for all that you are entitled to takes time.

• WORK WITH YOUR ATTORNEY - NOT AGAINST HIM
  

From time to time in the course of litigation the client will be required to do some work. Sometimes a client will have to collect all his or her medical bills; sometimes the client will have to relive an unpleasant experience in a deposition. Whatever the task, do it as if you mean it. Don't look on it as a burden you are being forced to bear, but as your singular contribution to your case.

• BE HAPPY - DON'T WORRY
  

If you have a competent, honest lawyer, you shouldn't worry. Many litigants make the process of pursuing a lawsuit unnecessarily hard on themselves. They punish themselves with guilt and worry at every opportunity despite the fact that many of the factors affecting their claims are outside of their ability to control. Let your lawyer do the worrying for you. Relax.