How to Select a Lawyer

When selecting an attorney, don't assume the names you've heard are necessarily the best people for the job. Choosing an attorney is not about selecting the one whose name everyone knows. This is usually the attorney that advertises the most. The best attorneys are often at smaller and less prestigious firms. There are, however, ways to know how to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Instructions

1. Seek the advice of the local bar association. Explain exactly why you need to hire a lawyer. You must have a lawyer that specializes in the area you need. For example, you don't want a trial lawyer for settling an estate. It doesn't matter how good someone is in one area; it doesn't qualify them in another. Attorneys have specialties for a reason. To be safe, get the one with the most training in the area that you need.

2. Call the lawyers that the bar association recommends. You should get at least two names from the association. Call to set up a consultation visit with your top choices. Make sure that you know what this session will cost. These visits can range from a free consultation to hundreds of dollars, so always know what you're dealing with ahead of time.

3. Be prepared for your visit. Write down the questions and concerns you want to cover with the attorney. Ask, of course, about fees and if a payment plan is available. Be prepared to explain your situation. Then ask questions about how he would handle your case. Find out what you would be required to do and what he would do. Ask about costs for travel time, meals, and weekends spent on your case but not working. Inquire as to what constitutes a day's work and if you are going to be charged per day or per hour. Also ask what you would have to pay for paralegals and other staff persons. Find out about her record of wins and losses if it applies to her field of law.

4. Don't consider any attorney with whom you find it difficult to talk. If he has an attitude you aren't comfortable with or if he likes to use lots of jargon and you have no idea what he's saying, this isn't the attorney for you. Keep looking. You need to be comfortable talking to your attorney in order to get accurate representation.

5. Consult with more than one attorney. Know that you have the right to shop around. It isn't rude to see someone and not make a decision at that time. Lawyers are used to people doing this, so don't feel pressured to hire someone just because you met with him one time. Take your time and look around. If you aren't crazy about the first two people, call the bar association again and ask for another referral.

6. Compare the bar association's recommendations and your personal consultations. Don't settle on anyone if you aren't really happy with what you've been told. There are a great many attorneys out there to choose from and you always have the option to keep looking. Don't listen to friends unless they are in the legal field themselves. They probably don't know any more than you do about it.

7. Choose the attorney who will keep you informed of what's going on and what it's costing you. Select the one that seems to have your interests in mind. If you do your homework, you should feel good about having excellent representation.

8. When all your quesitons have been answered,

Tips & Warnings

• Always call the bar association. They will only recommend attorneys who have sterling records and lots of experience in the specialty you require.

• Don't listen to people about attorneys. If they won, they'll say their attorney was great. If they didn't, they'll say he was terrible.