How to Find Out if an Attorney Is Bad
Typically, an attorney is hired because you are involved in a legal situation requiring professional legal advice and direction. Whether you're involved in a divorce, civil suit, criminal charge, or a DUI, a good attorney may be the difference between an satisfactory or unsatisfactory judgment. Finding out the reputation and ability of an attorney must be your number one priority when seeking out legal assistance, as this will help keep you from hiring a bad lawyer.
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Instructions
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Contact the Better Business Bureau office within the state the attorney operates in. The BBB offers a searchable database of office locations throughout the United States. Upon contacting the BBB office, inform the representative you wish to know about any complaints for a specific attorney. If the attorney is a partner within a larger legal firm, inform the representative of the firm's name and telephone number.
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Contact the State Bar Association for the state the attorney is licensed to practice in. Once you speak with the state bar, ask to verify the license of the attorney to ensure he is currently in good standing with the state, and also inquire if any disciplinary actions have been taken against him.
For example, if the attorney works in Georgia you may contact the State Bar of Georgia by calling 404-527-8720 and speaking with the Office of the General Counselor, or you may use the searchable database on the State Bar of Georgia website.
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Navigate your web browser to a search engine, such as Yahoo, Google, or Bing. Type in the attorney's full name into the search bar followed by reviews. For example, "Attorney John. C. Smith reviews" or "Attorney John C. Smith complaints." Often, if clients are satisfied or dissatisfied with the performance of an attorney, they will turn to review sites or legal forums to describe their experience. Once you review this information, and have further questions, contact the author of the review or post asking for more information.
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Tips & Warnings
If an attorney pressures you into signing a contract with him, and you still have questions or aren't comfortable with the fee arrangement, do not sign. Reputable lawyers understand this is a major decision, and a good attorney will take time to fully understand your case and offer his advice before pressuring you to sign a contract.
Never work with an attorney if he does not specialize in your type of case. For example, you wouldn't hire a divorce attorney for a DUI case, or a bankruptcy attorney for a criminal case.
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