A good Lawyer isn't always one you hate - What to look for when choosing a lawyer:
Choosing a general practice attorney is just like selecting a family practice or primary care physician. The general practice attorney performs a wide range of legal services. On the other hand, there are attorneys who specialize in one area of the law such as real estate law, civil litigation, estate planning, probate, guardianship, business law, family domestic law, bankruptcy. A general practice lawyer is more likely to provide you with the best service at the most reasonable price. Hiring a lawyer is very important for a good outcome in any matter.
You should factor in:
- the hourly rate
- how long it will take
- negotiation skills
- peer & client reviews
Prior to hiring, research the lawyer. Check your state’s bar association or disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. The public should be informed when making decisions to hire and do business with an attorney or law firm.
Two great websites are Lawyers.com or martindale.com to search by specialization, state, attorney name. Lawyers even use these websites to refer clients to specialized lawyers. You need to know if the attorney you are hiring is trustworthy, ethical or even skilled in the field of law.
Martindale-Hubbell has been a reference source for lawyers for some 130 years. It acts as the facilitator for the process of peer review. Ratings are from the opinions of members of the bar and judiciary, and made anonymously. The peer review has two categories, legal ability and general ethical standards. It utilizes an “A – B – C” scale to estimate the legal ability and ethical standards of an attorney.
To qualify for an “A” rating an attorney is reported as “very high” in their legal ability and has practiced for at least 10 years. Attorneys with a “B” rating as “high” and has practiced for at least 5 years. The “C” rating is considered “fair”and has no limitations on how long they were practicing. Another rating also given is a “V,” meaning that the attorney’s peers stated they had “Very High” ethical standards. The rating has transition to “AV”, “BV”, and “CV” ratings. The “AV” rating means that the attorney has reached the highest rating of professional excellence and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.
You should also determine the following:
- Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information?
- How long has the lawyer been in practice?
- Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
- How are the lawyer’s fees structured – hourly fees or flat rate?
- Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
- Is the lawyer’s office conveniently located?
Get started by researching lawyer discipline by asking:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- Are they currently licensed to practice in your state?
- Gain an understanding of their historical disciplinary record, if any.
In general, it is best to do your homework, research, Google, or get referrals. Prior to entering into any attorney-client relationship, it is important to feel secure that your lawyer is honest and has integrity.
This disclaimer asserts that the legal information published on the website is just that – legal information and not legal advice. It asserts that no warranties or representations are given in relation to the legal information. And it seeks to exclude any liabilities that may arise out of the use or misuse of the information.
Check out my Family Website at http://vandiverstyle.com
