Are you allowed to give your lawyer a present.?

[I love my poor baby]

I want to get my lawyer a present to show I really appreciate everything he has done for me, I wan't to give it to him before the trial so that he knows I appreciate it which ever way it goes.

The reason being is he took my case with legal aide (which the government pays for and we have to pay back, but he get $70 an hour instead if $325 which is what he usually charges) it's the first time any lawyer from his firm has accepted legal aide because they are excellent lawyers and people are willing to pay that much fr them.
My reason for asking is because I don't want it to be thought of as bribery.
The gift would be home made, I am a potter, I was thinking of a pen holder or something.

 

[g239b]

Your lawyer is a lawyer to make money not to be a defender of justice. He will only refuse you if you offer too little.

 

[bedfordczarina]

A hearty "thank you" is good enough for now. An even better way to say "thank you" is to get a nice piece of stationary, type a glowing thank you letter, and sign it. Mention his professionalism, skill, etc...Send it in an 8x11 envelope so you don't have to fold it. Don't be surprised if it ends up on the firm's office wall as sort of an advertisement to potential clients.

If you want to give him a personal present, make it something of nominal value. Like, bake him some cookies or something. His firm may have rules about accepting gifts with any real value.

I would wait until after his services are over to do any of this.