Choosing the right lawyer in any given situation is never an easy process. Even in the days before the internet, when you actually had to use a big book of yellow pages and search under “L” or “A”, their paid advertisements didn’t give you much of an idea of who they are — just who they wanted to appear to be.
It’s even worse on television, where predatory legal firms peddle their latest tort cases and ambulance chasers seem to proliferate.
All of this is compounded when you factor in the people often looking for a lawyer, who may only have a vague idea of why they need an attorney and even less of an understanding of the mark of true experience and quality. To a layman, it’s easy for a bad lawyer to pass themselves off as good.
There are ways, however, to see through the legalese and fancy advertising and find someone who does their job well. Here are some ways that can help you find a lawyer of good standing.
If You Know Any Lawyers, Get Their Opinion
No one is better at judging a lawyer’s capability than another lawyer. It’s a field that runs in part on word of mouth and gossip. They’ll be able to tell which lawyers are self-righteous, which have personal quirks that might make them hard to work with, which are jerks, which are empathetic and which will have your best interests at heart.
Even if they don’t know each other personally, they’ll have an insider’s perspective into their practices and credentials you wouldn’t otherwise get.
Read Online Reviews
Customer opinions matter when it comes to attorneys, but they are to be taken with a grain of salt. Make sure to read reviews about the lawyer you choose, but also consider the reviewer — perhaps they had a legitimate grievance, perhaps not.
If you don’t know, use the lawyer in your personal life to decipher the reviews.
Check into Their Activities
Usually, if a lawyer is active in the area of law they practice, it’s a good sign that they are committed. Many lawyers use their spare time to dedicate themselves to their practice in other ways, either by teaching or being part of an advocacy group. They may have even written a book. Generally, this is the kind of lawyer you want representing you.
Ask Hard Questions
When you’re meeting with a new attorney, it’s important to get a sense of their base of knowledge about the reason you’ve retained them. You don’t want either of you caught off guard in a courtroom. So take it upon yourself to do some research beforehand and quiz your new lawyer when you meet them. Don’t be afraid to be excessively specific, and always press for “why?”
If their answers demonstrate a healthy understanding of the situation, it’s a safe bet they’ll be a reliable resource.
