Finding a good attorney may be the most important step you can take toward winning a legal case and it doesn’t have to be a difficult task. You will, however, need to do a lot of research regarding what type of attorney you need. Let’s see what we need to consider when finding a good attorney.
First, take into consideration the practice area in which you need help. This may seem obvious, but there are attorneys who will take any case that comes through the door. It can mean that they may not have enough experience in the area needed. Next, look into their experience but of course, always remember that the number of years is not relevant if it’s not connected to your case. Also, the attorney’s location is important. Try to find an attorney that spends a lot of time in the courthouse, that knows all the local rules, that is familiar with the judges and their quirks, and that has a good reputation among the other attorneys. All of these things can work in your favor. Moreover, check the attorney’s reputation. If the attorney is respected by everyone, specifically the people they usually deal with every day, then it’s a good sign. Good relationships can come in handy when negotiating on behalf of clients or arguing a case on court.
Furthermore, check their resources. This isn’t always a requirement, but if you are involved in complex and difficult cases, then you would want an attorney with a lot of resources, and one who has the time, money and support staff to follow through. Next, inquire on their success. Success doesn’t necessarily mean the win rate on court, but on how the previous clients were pleased with the outcome. Client recommendations and referrals from other attorneys are a good way to find this out. Additionally, investigate on how they communicate with clients. Some attorneys are known for never calling back, but this isn’t always the case. There are a handful of attorneys who reply to emails and calls within 24 hours. You can also talk to previous clients about this and ask how well they keep in touch. If possible, you can also talk to some previous clients for some insight. A previous client will be able to answer questions about whether they are trustworthy, kind and willing to explain legal issues in a way that makes sense to a non-lawyer.
There are thousands of attorneys in our country. Don’t just pick a name from the phone book or even the internet. There is no such thing as the best attorney, but there are definitely some that are the worst. Investigate and inquire before picking one, so that you can get your money’s worth.