How to Research a Lawyer

Whatever the reason, when you need a lawyer you want a successful one. But how can you find out how many cases an attorney has won or lost, whether any sanctions have been taken against him or her, if the fees are reasonable? As a former law student, I suggest the following methods to investigate your potential attorney.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Attorney's full name
• A phone
• The Courthouse in the county where the attorney mainly practices
• Phone book or the internet

1. Find appropriate lawyer(s) for your situation. Like physicians, most lawyers specialize in certain areas. Need a will? Look for Estates and Trusts Lawyers. Want to incorporate your company? Find a corporate lawyer. Resolve a land issue? A real estate attorney.
   
   Gather potential names by:
   - Asking your friends (if you feel comfortable doing so)
   - Looking in the phone book's yellow pages
   - Searching the internet using your city, the type of issue and attorney as search terms
   - Calling your local bar association - keep in mind they usually give you the closest attorney and the information is not either a recommendation or endorsement
   - Phoning a nearby law school and asking for a professor who specializes in your issue. He or she may be able to recommend a top practitioner.
2. Start at the source. List in hand, call the attorneys' offices. If the attorney is not available, speak with the secretary, who can be a treasure trove of information. Some attorneys may try and "sell" you on his/her services, just politely state you are in the research stages and you will be back in touch.
   
   Ask:
   - How many years have you been practicing and what areas do you specialize in?
   - How many (estate, property, divorce, etc.) cases have you handled.
   - Do you have a client referral? (If given a name and number, call and ask if the person was satisfied, etc.)
   - What is your fee structure and how are miscellaneous expenses such as copies and travel time handled? How are calls I make to your office billed?
   - Have you practiced in other states?
   - Do you offer a complimentary first consultation?
   
   After you finish the call, determine whether this person may meet your needs. Using the responses and your instinct, eliminate anyone you feel uncomfortable with.
3. Go to the authorities. Call your local, state and national bar associations (the American Bar Association) who can tell you whether the attorneys under consideration has any malpractice or sanctions. Make certain you call the bar associations of other states where he/she practiced. These numbers are either online or in the government pages of the phone directory (Go to your library's reference desk or call a local law school library for information on other state's numbers).
   
   Google the attorney's name. Read over the cases that come up. Did he or she represent the Plaintiff or Defendant? Did the court rule in the client's favor? Look at several cases. Are there articles praising the attorney? Is he she listed on any professional association websites?
   
   Finally, call the Clerk of Courts office in the county where the attorney is practicing. Tell them you are researching attorneys for a divorce, injury, etc. case and you would like to look at their court records. Find out if their database is available online or if you need to visit their offices. Review the cases as you did those you found online. Note: This is public information and is free.
4. Meet and decide. Make appointments with the attorneys you feel will best represent you and that you feel comfortable with. Remember you must be able to divulge anything to this person. Discuss your case, the fees and make note of the atmosphere. Your final choice is up to you and is a combination of personal and professional factors.

Tips & Warnings

• Please note the above does not constitute legal advice.