Klob Legal LLC

06/03/2026

There are two phrases that I hear often enough from opposing attorneys, as well as occasionally by others, that always give me pause:

1. "I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt here ... "

2. "With all due respect ... "

As a lifelong Southerner, I realize that there are certain expressions (i.e. "Bless your heart") that come with the territory and that can have a surplus of meaning, but with respect to the two expressions noted above, their use in conversation is almost never positive.

When someone leads with stating that they are giving you the benefit of the doubt, you would be well advised to consider that they are most often doing the exact opposite. More likely than not, the use of this expression by an opponent or even by a client should be taken as an indicator that they have already formed an opinion, and even more likely that it is not a good one.

When someone uses "with all due respect" as their starting point, it is best to assume that the respect that they deem due is minimal at best. I have rarely encountered anyone who leads off with this phrase and who then proceeds to state something entirely positive or otherwise offer their complete and unwavering support. More likely than not, this is at best filler language and a set up for what is coming next.

My humble recommendation here is that we either retire these phrases completely, or otherwise that we give serious thought as to what we intend to communicate before we use them carelessly in conversation. Moreover, any temptate to use phrases like these should serve as reminders to offer grace to others and to attempt to view their actions in the most favorable light unless/until they give us reason to do otherwise.

Copyright 2026 Klob Legal, LLC. All rights reserved.

05/20/2026

Bonding today with Indy ....

05/20/2026

Positive outcome for a deserving workers' compensation client today!

05/13/2026

Positive results for a highly deserving client!

05/06/2026

Always a good day when you can obtain a positive outcome for a deserving client!

04/28/2026

In our current political and cultural climate, we are often reminded of the need to speak truth to power. But what does this mean? Over the past few weeks, I have been reading through the prophetic books in the Old Testament for a seminary class, and this has caused me to reflect on whether the words of the prophets of the ancient Near East have any applicability to our present situation. For the following reasons, and despite many of their prophecies having been already fulfilled, I believe that the words of the Old Testament prophets do in fact continue to have applicability to our present circumstances.

While many of the words of the Old Testament prophets focused on events which were in the future for their audiences, and which are now in the past in most cases for us, there are also elements in Old Testament prophecy that can be applicable both to past, current, and/or future events depending on context. References to events throughout the prophetic books can relate both to deliverance from present circumstances in terms of God's upholding his covenant promises, as well as to a future last day where all peoples and nations will be judged. Old Testament prophecies (such as those in Joel) where the words of the prophet can be construed as dealing with current or imminent natural disasters, as well as with a future final judgment on the last day, can be viewed in context with multiple actual historical events as well as with a spiritual/apocalyptic final judgement.

While prophetic speech can apply to current and future events as well as to those events which have already come to pass, however, it is essential that any attempt to apply past prophetic speech to current or future events be done so carefully and in context. There is always the danger of reading into this prophetic speech either something that we want it to say, or otherwise reading into it something that it does not say and that is otherwise contrary to the character and nature of God.

An example of problematic prophetic speech that describes events that were to come to pass, and where the future acts of God appear to be inconsistent with his overall character, is that of Joel 3:8 where it appears God will actively participate in the slave trade as a means of retributive judgment against Edom for their betrayal of the people of Judah. This passage warrants the concerns expressed by theologian Stacy Davis: "[T]he idea that God favors some above others has had devastating historical consequences, from justifying Christian anti-Judaism for centuries to declaring Native Americans and Africans as not fully human in modern American theology."

History repeats itself, and the prophetic words on the past can thereby be applied to the present when it comes to speaking truth to power. Context does matter, however, and one should always proceed with humility and caution when applying past truth to challenge power in the present.

Copyright 2026 Klob Legal, LLC. All rights reserved.

04/20/2026

"True love and authentic commitment can only exist among equals." This quote has been attributed to the Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutierrez Merino-Diaz. Gutierrez, also known as the father of Latin American liberation theology, emphasized the duty of Christians and other persons of faith to care for the poor and the oppressed, particularly in impoverished environments in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. His primary work, A Theology of Liberation, has stood the test of time as an expression of God's preferential option for the poor and the need to meet both the spiritual and material needs of those for whom we wish to express love.

While Gutierrez emphasized the need to approach ministry and outreach to the poor and oppressed with humility and a mindset of equality, the need for this same mindset applies for those of us in the legal profession who serve as advocates for individuals. Many of our clients find themselves at some of the lowest points of their lives, and where the outcome of our work on their behalf can mean the difference between financial and medical stability or further lifelong hardship.

When dealing with our clients, as well as with other stakeholders in the legal process, those of us in the legal profession should always strive to treat everyone involved with dignity, respect, and understanding. In addition, since it is human nature for people to often defer to those in authority (or at least those perceived to be in positions of authority), both lawyers and judges should seek to remind everyone in which they come in contact that their needs and concerns are valid, that their concerns and complaints are given a fair hearing, and that they matter and are than a file to be processed or a claim to be resolved.

Echoing the words of Gutierrez, the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians states the following: "Let nothing be done out of strife or conceit, but in humility let each esteem the other better than himself." These are words to live by, and words to be applied daily in the practice of law as we deal with real people and carry their burdens alongside them with a sense of humility and equality.

Copyright 2026 Klob Legal, LLC. All rights reserved.

04/08/2026

https://roysreport.com/evangelical-leaders-yawn-at-trumps-claim-that-a-whole-civilization-will-die-tonight/?utm_source=Julie+Roys&utm_campaign=943c0fe4df-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8e6acd410b-943c0fe4df-610119527&mc_cid=943c0fe4df&mc_eid=2184206da3

Many evangelical leaders defended or downplayed Donald Trump’s recent claim that ‘a whole civilization will die tonight’

04/07/2026

Timely and relevant overview of the Law of War

Trump’s infrastructure threats raise LOAC concerns by suggesting coercive targeting of civilian objects, conflicting with US obligations on distinction, necessity, proportionality, and individualized targeting decisions.

04/06/2026

In light of the propensity of our current political leaders to overshare on social media, I wish they would borrow a page from the playbook of one of our notoriously taciturn former presidents, Calvin Coolidge. It is reported that a person at a dinner party once said to him that she had bet that she could get three words of conversation out of him, to which he retorted "you lose."