Picking a lawyer can be a daunting task, especially given the fact that you are likely dealing with legal problems that may have a meaningful consequence on your life. In situations where you are looking at dealing with your finances, business reputation, and/or your freedom, the ramifications of your legal problems are usually severe.
It is clearly not as simple as picking the first attorney listed on the Google search list. You want to be assured that the attorney you are working with is competent and experienced, but more importantly, you want them to be trustworthy and not just the right fit for you.
Due diligence is crucial in this type of case. You want to avoid costly mistakes and ensure you are obtaining quality legal representation. Conducting due diligence includes, among other things, asking the right questions in order to properly assess a lawyer’s experience and qualifications, but also to understand how they approach cases similar to yours and whether they fall within your acceptable fee structure.
The following guide will outline the primary considerations you should address in your search for a lawyer you can trust, regardless of whether your issue involves personal injury, a business dispute, or a family problem of some kind.
Research and Referral
When looking for a lawyer, personal referrals are truly priceless. Start by asking friends, family members and/or professional connections if they have ever worked with an attorney that they could recommend. Individuals with some experience in dealing with legal issues can provide you with useful information and “instructional experience” regarding what it is like to deal with specific attorneys.
Your local bar association is another excellent source. Most have lawyer referral services or online directories that allow you to search for lawyers by practice area and geographic area. The directories usually provide basic information about lawyers’ education, experience, and specialties as well.
Now here’s something very significant: find attorneys with actual experience with the legal issues you need assistance with. A lawyer who knows how to do divorces does not necessarily know how to deal with a criminal defense case, or dispute business contracts. Experience within your particular area of law is very important.
While online reviews may be helpful, keep in mind to take them with a grain of salt. Instead of focusing on what individual clients say about a lawyer, consider the overall patterns in what clients are saying about a lawyer. As a general rule, disgruntled clients tend to leave unfair reviews, while happy clients tend to follow the lawyer’s instructions and ask for reviews at a time when everything is going their way.
Verify Credentials and Experience
Before you get too far in the process, verify that the lawyer or lawyers you are considering are actually licensed to practice in your particular state. You can typically verify this through your state bar association’s website, and it is worth conducting this basic verification.
Check how long they have been practicing and what area of practice they are focused on. If the lawyer has 20 years of experience but has only been handling personal injury matters since last year, he/she may not be the best fit for you if you have been hurt in an accident. Professional memberships and certifications can tell you a lot about how dedicated a lawyer is to their area of practice. Membership in specialized bar associations, or having board certifications, means that lawyer is committed to staying abreast of developments in their field.
Some red flags to look for are disciplinary actions, complaints that have been filed against the attorney with the bar association, or a history of malpractice claims. This information is usually public record and can be searched on the state bar websites.
Book Consultations and Ask the Right Questions
Most lawyers offer consultations, and many do not charge for that first consultation. Capitalize on this opportunity to ascertain whether a lawyer seems like the right person for your case.
Go prepared with questions. Ask about their experience in cases like yours, how they usually handle those situations, and what results they have achieved for past clients. Do not hesitate to ask them questions to pull specifics from them.
It is also a good opportunity to talk about their communication style, including how often you can expect updates and how involved you may expect to be in the process. Some lawyers prefer email, some prefer phone, and some better communicate and update their clients so that the clients feel involved.
This would also be the time to get clarity about their billing practices and fees. Will you be billed hourly? Is there a flat fee? Do they work on contingency? What other fees might you expect? You want to know all of this up front to avoid surprises later.
Making the Right Decision About Your Future
Finding the right lawyer is not simply a matter of their legal knowledge and experience (although that is certainly important), but the level of trust and communication to know that someone genuinely has your best interests at heart.
You should be able to obtain the quality representation you deserve, and avoid really serious missteps by doing proper research, checking credentials, and asking the right questions.
Regardless of the legal trouble you find yourself in, due diligence is absolutely your best tool to make the most informed choice possible. So, invest the time and effort to get started, and you will thank them in savings, future stress, and relief from headaches down the road.
Choosing an attorney is honestly one of the most important decisions you can make if you are facing legal issues, so take it seriously and be wise about your selection.
