What Should I Look for When Trying To Choose a Lawyer​?

A lawyer is an advocate. They should fight on your behalf, using reasonable, ethical, and cost-effective means. You should have an open line of communication with your attorney. A lawyer with experience in the type of law involved in your case has the potential to make a big difference in the outcome.

Attorneys can be found in all types of firms located in big cities and small towns. With a great attorney being defined in so many ways, what qualities should you look for to find the best lawyer for you? Everyone you know probably has an opinion on an attorney they know, or maybe you've seen an advertisement on TV or social media. Here are a few things to consider when you are looking for legal help.

Comfortable Relationship

The first and perhaps most important quality is that you should feel comfortable in your lawyer's presence. A comfortable and open relationship will allow you to be open, honest, and complete when it comes to sharing information relevant to your legal issue. After all, a lawyer can't fully assist you without knowing all of the pertinent information about the legal problem at issue.

Lawyer's Fees

Another important characteristic of a good attorney is a clear, honest, and appropriate fee structure. At your first meeting with a lawyer, you should discuss what type of fee agreement will be required. Will the case be handled with a retainer and hourly fee based on the number of hours the attorney spends on your legal matter? This is typical with family law cases. 

Will the case be handled with a contingency fee, which is typical for personal injury cases, or will the case be handled as a flat fee, which is typical for a traffic ticket case? No matter how the legal fees will be handled, there should be a written agreement so everyone is clear on what to expect.

Legal Experience

Before you even meet with the attorney, you should search for their name on the internet. Look for online reviews and other comments that may be online regarding the attorney's legal services. You should also check with your state's bar association website to see if any complaints, misconduct charges, or malpractice accusations have been filed against the attorney.

You should also ask the attorney about their experience. Is this their first time handling this type of case or do they have experience in the practice area you need help with? Many attorneys only handle certain areas of law such as criminal defense or real estate, but others have a practice handling a variety of cases.

Communication and Availability

One of the most important things is that you have open communication with your lawyer. Some cases may be resolved quickly but others, such as a contentious divorce, may take months or years to resolve. A good lawyer will respond to phone calls and emails when you have questions in a prompt manner, but know that you also must respond to their requests for information.

Your lawyer can only handle your legal situation with your help. You must feel comfortable telling your lawyer everything about your case so they are prepared for anything and everything.

Finding the Right Lawyer for You

When it comes to choosing a lawyer, finding one who's competent to handle your legal issue is just the first step. It's also important to make sure that they're communicative, trustworthy, and that you feel comfortable so you can receive legal assistance with your case. Get started on your journey today by contacting the experienced attorneys in FindLaw's lawyer directory.