Important Terms Defined
At my law firm, we work with lawyers from many areas of the world. I find that a high percentage of the lawyers that call me to look into working together on behalf of a particular client, are very competent lawyers.
Competency is simply defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “an ability or skill.” Competency comes from “competence” which is further defined as: “[T]he ability to do something well.” Some synonyms stated in the dictionary are: capability, capableness and capacity.
To further understand my message here, I want you to take a look at the definition of one particular antonym for the word competence–also reported in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary—which is the word “incapable.” The definition goes as follows: “[L]acking capacity, ability or qualification for the purpose or end in view.”
The use of the word “qualification” to define or otherwise point out someone’s condition with regards to a profession or task is very important. While someone can be VERY competent at what they do, it could very well be that such an individual is not “capable” to perform the looked upon duty.
Teamwork in Real Estate
The clients I am asked to help with, come about their assets in Puerto Rico in two noticeable ways; through an acquisition of a property in Puerto Rico or as a result of an inheritance. While I usually write about the clients or the transactions, this article is about the competent lawyers I work with.
The lawyers I work with recognize that they are not “qualified” to represent a client in Puerto Rico. This lack of qualification is ordinarily limited to one thing only; the lack of a license to practice law in Puerto Rico. On the other hand, I can recognize that this is the only limitation, which means that I recognize and respect the knowledge these individuals have acquired through their hard work.
As a lawyer, I have an excellent sense on what it takes to acquire and maintain the trust of client. Many successful lawyers I met and work with, have worked very hard to earn the respect and loyalty of those clients. I know because that is the point of view I assume about my clients.
I enjoy working with competent lawyers from around the World. I have created working relationships with lawyers in Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, England, Canada and of course across the United States. I respect these lawyers, and recognize and admire the work they have directed into establishing and expanding their firms to the point that they have clients with interests in Puerto Rico.
Real estate transactions in Puerto Rico have very specific and demanding requirements for completions. Working these transactions with competent lawyers is always very pleasurable, and I find that their contributions are valuable and, of course, very welcomed.
Very truly yours,
Santiago F. Lampón