There’s more to a good match between client and counsel than attorney knowledge, experience, interest and client need, willingness to diligently cooperate and to pay for services, and their written agreement as to terms, goals, special considerations and so on.
The extra something might be lightly summed up in the term ‘simpatico’, meaning in this context that the parties should recognize that the assignment undertaken requires some degree of collaboration, there should be a mutual sense of trust and anticipation that the collaborative work will be congenial, even if the subject matter may be stressful or otherwise difficult for either or both parties.
While friendship is not required. Respect for one another’s role is important as is regular and transparent communication, if the assignment is to succeed.
Of course, these issues are far less consequential if the assignment is more transactional than transformational. In that regard, preparing deeds or other discrete legal tasks tend to be transactional whereas sensitive estate planning, guardianships, and many family and Medicaid issues tend to be transformational.