Remember, You Hired a Lawyer for a Reason

Kalandra Wheeler
Kalandra Wheeler is a Board Certified Austin employment lawyer.

Hiring an attorney and then ignoring their legal advice is a bit like calling a mechanic, asking what’s wrong with your car, and then driving off a cliff because you had a better idea. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t end well.

It’s not just unwise, but potentially very costly to pay for legal expertise and then refuse to use it.

1. You’re Paying for Expertise — So Use It

Attorneys don’t just wake up one day knowing the law — they spend years in school, pass grueling exams, and then survive the daily chaos of legal practice to build the kind of experience you can’t Google. The law is a moving target, and good lawyers stay sharp so you don’t have to. So when you hire one, you’re getting way more than someone who can quote statutes — you’re getting a strategist who’s been around the block. Ignoring their advice? That’s like hiring a personal chef and then asking for the drive-thru menu. You’re not just wasting money — you’re missing the whole point of having an expert on your side.

2. Legal Strategy Is a Game of Chess, Not Checkers

Skilled attorneys don’t just focus on the immediate details of your case — they step back and see the entire board. They assess the risks, anticipate the other side’s strategy, and craft a plan that positions you for the best possible outcome. When you ignore that advice because you think you know how it’ll play out, you’re essentially playing checkers on a chessboard. And in the legal world, the stakes are far higher — and the consequences are very real.

3. The Players Can Tell When You’ve Gone Rogue

Refusing to follow legal advice often results in erratic or misguided behavior — making impulsive decisions, saying the wrong things, or acting in ways that undermine your position. And trust this: the other side will notice. When it becomes clear you’ve gone rogue and stopped listening to your attorney, opposing counsel will seize the opportunity you’ve handed them. You’re not just weakening your case — you’re giving your opponent a strategic edge.

4. You Can Undermine Your Own Case

Attorneys build carefully crafted arguments grounded in facts, the law, and your cooperation. When you ignore their advice, it’s like yanking bricks out of the foundation of your own case — and watching it collapse in real time. If your lawyer is forced to stand by while you self-destruct, it’s not just frustrating — it’s damaging, and frankly, embarrassing. Going against your attorney’s guidance can seriously derail your case, and once that damage is done, even the best lawyer may not be able to fix it.

5. You Could Burn Bridges

Attorneys are bound by professional ethics and a duty to work collaboratively with their clients. If that cooperation breaks down, they may have no choice but to withdraw from representing you. Ignoring their advice or treating them like a hired mouthpiece, rather than a trusted strategic partner, is a surefire way to push them toward the exit. And yes, they can fire you as a client. If an attorney withdraws because you’ve been uncooperative, future lawyers may hesitate to take on your case, wary of dealing with someone who isn’t willing to work with them.

6. The Law Is Not a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Story

Sure, you can ignore your lawyer and do things your own way — plenty of people do. But the consequences can be severe: in civil cases, you might find yourself facing a hefty financial judgment; in criminal cases, you could end up behind bars. The legal system doesn’t care about bravado or gut feelings. It’s driven by preparation, strategy, and expertise — exactly what your lawyer is offering. Ignoring legal advice from an experienced professional is like trying to win a game without knowing the rules.

You Hired a Professional for a Reason

Hiring an attorney and then refusing to take their advice is more than just a waste of money — it’s a direct threat to the outcome you’re hoping for. People hire attorneys because the legal system is complicated, intimidating, and full of rules that don’t come with a user manual. Whether you’re facing a criminal charge, an employment dispute, a divorce, or even just drafting a contract, the stakes are high — and one misstep can have lasting consequences. No attorney can guarantee a specific result, but what they can offer is a strategic path based on their knowledge, training, and, most importantly, real-world experience. They went to law school and built careers navigating legal minefields so you wouldn’t have to. If you’d rather go it alone, that’s your choice — but don’t expect a seasoned attorney to stand by quietly and rubber-stamp decisions that could sink your case.

If you need an experienced employment lawyer to provide sound advice and advocate for your rights, our attorneys are here to help and available for consultation. We don’t just tell you what you want to hear — we provide the honest, straightforward guidance you need to protect your interests and make informed decisions for you and your family, based on the facts and the law.

Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of Kalandra N. Wheeler Kalandra N. Wheeler

We asked Kalandra N. Wheeler, a Trial Attorney in the Houston office of Wiley Wheeler, P.C., to provide her sincere answers to a range of questions.  After reading, you will be more more abreast with the understanding and competency that Ms. Wheeler

…

We asked Kalandra N. Wheeler, a Trial Attorney in the Houston office of Wiley Wheeler, P.C., to provide her sincere answers to a range of questions.  After reading, you will be more more abreast with the understanding and competency that Ms. Wheeler brings.

1.Why did you start practicing labor and employment law?

I wanted to be able to help people that otherwise might not find help. Labor and employment laws affect most of society.  And – whether our results help one or many – our work and efforts as employment lawyers touch people in a real way in their every day lives.

2. Who is your favorite Supreme Court Justice?

Thurgood Marshall.

3. What do you think is the most important part of a good case?

The client. Good facts and evidence are definitely important. But good clients are a lawyers’ most valuable asset.  A good client: (1) is invested in their case; (2) works or worked hard for their employer; (3) can tell their story clearly and concisely; and (4) is someone that a jury will find sympathetic and relatable.

4. If you could write a new law, what would it do?

The Texas Workplace Anti-Bullying law.  I hear the stories, the ones told by employees looking for help. And in far too many of those stories the law offers no solution.  Every employee that goes to work and works hard to do the job they are hired to perform should be able to do so without abuse, harassment, and bullying. There is no justification for bullying, not in our schools, and not in our workplaces.

5. Besides Rob Wiley, P.C., what is the most interesting job that you have had?

For a year before law school, I worked as a lube tech for Jiffy Lube.  I spent hot summer days, working on hot cars, changing oil or flushing transmissions or radiators.  I never had a customer come back with a complaint.

6. How do you market yourself differently than others?

I tell clients what they need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear. Before a client begins down any path toward resolving an employment dispute, they need thoughtful, honest advice. I am a believer in justice and everyday people deserve competent representation in an arena that is difficult for non-lawyers to navigate.

7. What do you do when you’re not practicing law?

I spend time with family and friends.  I read true crime books.  I sew and draw.

8. How would you describe the color yellow to someone who could not see?

It’s not the intense heat of the sun during the month of August, but instead the softness of the sun on your skin just as the seasons change from Summer to Fall.  It’s warm. And soft to the touch.  It’s fresh squeezed lemonade with a hint of sugar.  Slightly cool, inviting, and happy.

9. What’s your favorite legal TV show?

Law & Order: SVU

10. If you could argue any case in history, what would it be?

The Karen Silkwood case. But really, I think that would be more about arguing and trying a case alongside Gerry Spence for the learning experience.

Kalandra N. Wheeler is a Trial Attorney in the Houston office of Wiley Wheeler, P.C.  She graduated from The University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in political science.  Ms. Wheeler went on and received her law degree from The University of Arkansas.

Show more Show less
Related Posts
The Administrative Procedure Act: the Achilles of the Trump Agenda.
March 12, 2025
Arbitration Agreements and Their Impact on Employment Disputes
March 12, 2025
EXECUTIVE ORDERS V. THE CONSTITUTION
February 4, 2025