'A lawyer shall keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information.'

'A lawyer shall explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation.'

律师们为什么要写这么多的信函呢?答案在我们的职业规范和职业道德中。美国佛罗里达州的律师条例之职业行为规则中第4-1.4款说道：

'一个律师应向客户报告事件的现状并负有根据客户的合理要求而给予通知的义务。'

'一个律师应在适当的范围之内向客户解释事由，以便客户对代理事项做出决定。'

While clients can be kept informed and given explanations orally, lawyers certainly know the value of the printed word over the spoken word: it is not as easily forgotten or misunderstood. Letters also create a record of advice given, which is useful to both the lawyer and the client. That is why letters are the preferred method of keeping clients informed and giving clients explanations.

既然客户们都知道要保存那些口头上的报告和解释，那律师们就更明白书面文字比口头话语更可靠：它们不容易被忘记或被误解.信函能够保存法律意见的记录，这对律师和其客户都是有利的。所以，我们说信函是保存对客户的报告和向客户解释事由的最好工具。

Some Things To Do Before Writing

撰写信函之前需要做的事情

Before you start writing the letter it makes sense to do some preliminary background work.

在动笔起草信函之前要注意做好一些基础性的准备工作。

Find a letter form. Find a similar letter you have sent in the past, or see the Appendix to this article for sample engagement, cover, demand, contract negotiation, contract advice, and fax letters.

查找信函范本。您可以在以前起草的信函中寻找类似的范本，也可以参考一下此文附录中所列的范本(包括预约书，说明书，正式请求书，合同谈判备忘录，合同意见书及传真函等)。

Review prior letters to this recipient. In a busy world, it is easy to forget. Review prior letters to remind yourself where you are in the work process, what has already been said, and what remains to be said. This will give your letter direction and purpose.

参考一下那些以前发给该收信人的信函。在这个繁忙的世界上，好多事情容易忘记。回顾以前的信函可以提醒您在工作流程中走到了哪一步，写了些什么，还需要说些什么，所以说，这样做可以让您把握信函的方向和要旨。

Do not send a letter to another lawyer's client without that lawyer's consent. Before sending the letter, find out if the nonlawyer is represented by someone else. Start by asking your client. Florida Bar Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 4-4.2 says:

'In representing a client, a lawyer shall not communicate about the subject of the representation with a person the lawyer knows to be represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the lawyer has the consent of the other lawyer.'

未经允许，不要发函给另一个律师的客户。在发送之前，要确认收信人是否已经有代理律师了。所以，在这之前，最好问一问您的客户。佛罗里达州的律师条例之职业行为规则的第4-4.2款有这样的规定：

'在为客户进行代理活动中，如果一位律师知道当事人已经有另一位律师在为其代理，除非得到该代理律师的同意，他就不得再同该当事人交流有关代理之事项。'hxw.red