When the staffing industry began, staffing firms did not have a great need for lawyers. That has not been true for a long time now. Today, state and federal laws impose many more obligations on employers than they did decades ago. Customers, meanwhile, demand such things as the transfer of their business risks to staffing firms. Plaintiff’s lawyers, too, have become much more aggressive, with the help of statutory attorney’s fees, class actions, administrative regulations and other legal tools that favor employees.

Indeed, a few lawyers have made a business of pressuring employers into making urgent settlements to prevent them from filing employment lawsuits that may ultimately have been found to lack legal merit.

Attornephobia

Considering these developments, it is understandable that some staffing executives have developed a condition I call “attornephobia” — the irrational fear, disapproval and avoidance of lawyers. I can identify with this experience. During law school, I managed a legal research service (essentially a specialized staffing firm) whose customers were all lawyers and whose assigned staff were all law students — many of whom were exhibiting a “sue-the-world” attitude. Still, when a legal crisis arises, one should never handle it alone.

A well-selected lawyer will be your champion, confidant and consultant in many ways. Most of the parties who create legal risks for you are advised by lawyers, and you are at a great disadvantage if you are not. The law is...

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