One day a guy calls a lawyer and asks how much he charges for a consultation. The lawyer says he’ll answer three questions for $350. “That’s kinda steep, isn’t it?” the guy asks. “Yes,” the lawyer responded. “Now what’s your third question?”
All the best lawyer jokes play on pretty much this same theme, that if you ever need a lawyer it’ll cost you. And, like all jokes, there’s an element of truth to it. For many Utahns, legal help is an expense they can’t bear.
Earlier this year, a study by the Utah Foundation and the Utah Bar found that 82% of Utahns earning less than twice the poverty level couldn’t afford a lawyer for a civil matter if one arose.