How to Find a Lawyer

Finding the right attorney isn't about how much money you spend. It's about spending the time to find the right fit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A firm grasp of what you want or need to accomplish
• Lots of time
• Courage/assertiveness
• Some money or negotiating skills

1. Determine which type of court your case will need to be handled in. Family court, probate, bankruptcy, etc. Even better is to know which judge will have your case.
2. Schedule a period of time, possibly initially a week, to go to the appropriate court and sit and listen to cases/motions being presented to the judge in court. Sit as close to the front as you can, so you can clearly hear the lawyers speaking.
3. Take notes on the lawyers that go before the judge, noting what you like and don't like about them. Jot their names, if possible. This will help you identify those attributes that are important to you in a lawyer, regardless of whether or not you "like" the lawyer. (e.g., you may not like a bulldog lawyer, but you find that along with three others, his persistence is a trait that you find is an important one.)
4. When you find a lawyer or lawyers with whom you seem to feel good about, note the reaction from the judge. Notice whether or not they seem to have had previous positive interactions, or if there seems to be tension.
5. When you find a lawyer that you feel drawn to, approach the lawyer as they are leaving the court, being careful not to interfere with the client's time with his/her lawyer. When the lawyer is alone, approach him or her and ask if they have a minute to answer a question. Many times, lawyers will take the time to speak with potential clients on the spot.
6. Talking to the lawyer one-on-one will give you a better idea of how they may represent your case and how they feel about your situation. You may feel that they are a great fit, or decide to keep looking. But finding a lawyer in this manner give you the benefit of knowing how they work in the courtroom before you even present them with the facts of your case.

Tips & Warnings

• Free consultations are in plentiful supply. If you need legal help, do not pass on free legal advice. Any information you give during a consultation with a lawyer is privileged under "seeking legal representation", no matter how many lawyers you talk to.
• Lawyers are frequently willing to negotiate their legal fees, or the manner in which their retainer is paid. But if you don't ask, they probably won't offer.
• If you are getting divorced, your lawyer may be willing to take your case on a "contingency basis", which means they work for "free" and try to get their fee from your soon-to-be ex.
• If you are in a situation where you need a lawyer, DON'T trust your own judgement on really important decisions. Talk to lawyers. LOTS of them. (Lots and lots.)
• Never forget that lawyers are there to protect you. They know how to do it, and they know best.
• When lawyers work on a "contingency basis" it can make the divorce a little less amicable. Although, once you are divorced, you can kiss your "contingency basis" good bye. If you need a lawyer for issues after a divorce, will likely need a hefty retainer, which could run $2,000 to $5,000.
• Lawyers need to be checked out just like pool builders... go to www.bbb.org and/or www.nationalbar.org