In my experience it's common to have at least a few clients who think you're the bastard at least some of the time - but that's coming from someone who has practiced largely in family law and criminal law.
Today my client told the court s/he wanted to fire me mid-hearing, mid-witness - just before my cross was to start. (This is a notoriously difficult client and I'm already the 2nd attorney assigned to the case; I was great until I couldn't make the client's bad behavior go away as if by magic. I've put tons of hours in, taken late night calls/texts, bent over backward - no good deed goes unpunished!) I have to say this was a first in my practice experience, so maybe it's fitting it should happen so close to my departure from active litigation practice.
The court inquired as to my education & experience on the record, found me to be adequate counsel and told my client s/he could proceed pro se but wouldn't earn a continuance by the demand. S/he chose to proceed with me as counsel, and by the end of it I got an apology and hugs. Until the court issues its ruling not in favor of my client, an inevitability due solely to the client's own behavioral choices - then I'm a bastard (bitch!) again. (I anticipate a Bar complaint. Oh joy!)
I'm looking forward to sitting with terminally ill patients; I think they'll appreciate me more. As a backup plan I'm looking into lighthouse keeper openings in New England . . .
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
