A couple of associates at a major national law firm exchanged an e-mail, in which one of the associates questioned the competence and capabilities of a firm client.  Over a several day period, the associates continued their exchange of e-mails.  Among the growing string of messages were some that discussed substantive legal issues.

 

Eventually, the associates arrived at an issue that they could not resolve. They forwarded the entire e-mail string to a firm partner and inquired what they should do next. The partner suggested that they reach out to the client. And so the associates did. They forwarded the e-mail reply from the partner . . . including the entire string of e-mails that had preceded it.

 

The client, it turned out, was more thorough than either associate ever could have imagined. He read the entire e-mail string, including the initial exchanges that questioned his competence. Eventually, the client shared his knowledge with the partner, who apologized profusely.

 

To say the partner went ballistic is not much of an exaggeration.

 

It’s a great reminder that if you have been involved in exchanging a series of e-mails, before you forward an e-mail, re-read the entire string.