If you are about to hire a lawyer, there are a few things you can do to help you make a smart decision and choose a good lawyer. Choosing a good lawyer can make all the difference in a case where the legal issues are complex or where there is a chance that the case will drag on for a long time. A good lawyer will know the ins and outs of the law which will help expedite your case and give you the best chance of a positive outcome.
The first factor to consider when choosing a lawyer is what type of case they have experience and expertise in. Many people falsely assume that any attorney knows all types of legal issues and can handle any type of case. The truth is that lawyers are a lot like doctors in that they specialize in certain types of cases. While some may have a general practice and be able to handle a wide range of legal matters, many of the best lawyers specialize in one or two particular areas of the law and gain extensive knowledge in those areas. This is generally the type of lawyer you want for your case, because experience handling cases similar to yours is one of the most important factors when choosing a lawyer. As the saying goes, there is no substitute for experience.
The second factor to consider is whether this attorney has a disciplinary record. Most states have a publicly visible attorney directory and disciplinary record for their attorneys. You can usually find it on the state’s supreme court website. This will show you if there have been any significant problems in the attorney’s past conduct with clients that warranted discipline. Depending on what the issue was, you may want to consider another attorney.
Lastly, if possible, you should try to talk to past clients to see what their experience with this lawyer was like. Although every client has attorney-client privilege and the attorney may not have anyone’s permission to use them as a reference, it’s still worth asking. Be sure to ask questions like how quickly they responded to phone calls and emails, whether the lawyer made a great effort to resolve the matter quickly, and whether or not the lawyer obtained a favorable outcome.
If you keep these tips in mind when looking for a lawyer, you’ll have a good chance of finding one that won’t let you down.