How to Pick a Lawyer

About 3 years ago, I wrote an article about “How to Pick a Lawyer” which can be found on the internet at http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Pick-a-Lawyer&id=164511. The article goes through some ways in which you can find a lawyer in any specialty (start with referrals from people you trust) and lists a few questions to ask each attorney that you may be hiring.

I’ve been a lawyer for over 25 years but no one has ever asked me the questions that I set out in that article. Mostly, I get asked about my fees. In some cases, that’s the only question that I’m asked.

Don’t hire a lawyer because he is the cheapest one around. Likewise, don’t assume that the most expensive lawyer is the best, just because he charges the most.

Make sure that the lawyer that you pick does a fair amount of the type of law that is your issue. Each area of law can be complicated and depending on what your problem is, you may need a fairly sophisticated. This lawyer may charge more, but may also save you a great deal in time and aggravation. Likewise, if you have a fairly simple problem, don't go to the largest firm in town who only works with the biggest clients. If you are a smaller client, they may not give you the attention you deserve.

But, regardless of how easy or difficult your legal problem is, you want a lawyer who treats you like a person, not like a number. What do I mean? You hire a lawyer, you want to be able to speak to your lawyer, not a secretary, not a paralegal. If the lawyer that you want to hire takes a couple of days to just return a phone call, find someone else. You want your lawyer to give you an idea of how long it will take to meet to discuss your problem, how long the process will take, and what you should expect along the way.

Lastly, you should feel comfortable talking to your lawyer. If you get the impression that he doesn’t seem interested in you and your problem, this isn’t the lawyer for you. You should be looking for a lawyer that you can work with for years, since a good lawyer knows other good lawyers in other legal specialties. Your lawyer should be able to refer you to another lawyer if he doesn't practice the type of law you need. You should want a lawyer whom you can consult about all of the legal issues in your life.

Find a lawyer who will make you feel at ease, confident that you have chosen someone that you can consult about your legal needs as your life changes.

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