how can you find a good lawyer

How do I know if my lawyer is good?

Sep 09, 2019 · There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.

How do you know if you have a good lawyer?

Sep 04, 2020 · Ask around among your family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances to see if they know of any attorneys they could recommend. Personal references can be some of the most reliable references you will find. You can also ask a lawyer you know and trust, even if they don’t practice in the area of law in which you need legal help. They may be able to recommend …

How can I find the best lawyer for my case?

Solicit Referrals From Former Clients. Among the best ways to hire a good lawyer to represent you is to ask for a list of former clients before leaving your preliminary consultation. After all, there is no better referral than an endorsement for a former client.

How do I find out if a lawyer is legit?

Mar 10, 2022 · What to Look for in a Lawyer. Before looking for an attorney, decide what kind you need. Common fields include: Criminal law. Family law. Landlords and Tenants. Labor and Employment. You can often talk to a lawyer for free for at least the first conversation. Ask questions about their experience and fees. Find Free and Low-Cost Legal Help

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Location is an important factor in looking for a lawyer to represent you. Since your issue will likely depend on state or local laws and regulations, you will want an attorney who understands the regulations for your location. On the practical side, you will also want a lawyer who has an office that is convenient for you to travel to.

Conducting Candidate Interviews

One of the best ways to assess a lawyer’s legal ability is by interviewing them. Most attorneys will provide an initial consultation—usually an hour or less—at no charge. Below are a few questions to consider:

Consulting the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory

Martindale-Hubbell is a great resource for information about a law firm and its lawyers. This guide—which can be found online at Martindale.com and at your local public and law libraries—is often used by lawyers when choosing legal talent in another jurisdiction.

Asking Other Attorneys

Lawyers know the skill and reputation of other lawyers. Attorneys may be able to provide information about a fellow lawyer that you may not find in a book or online, such as information about a lawyer’s ethics, competence level, demeanor, practice habits, and reputation.

Conducting a Background Check

Before hiring any lawyer, contact the lawyer disciplinary agency in your state to confirm that they are in good standing as a member of the bar. For an online listing of each state's lawyer disciplinary agency, review this directory of lawyer disciplinary agencies.

Tap Your Network

Ask around among your family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances to see if they know of any attorneys they could recommend. Personal references can be some of the most reliable references you will find.

Do Some Research

You can run an attorney search at databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which provide information such as practice areas, location, disciplinary records, and lawyer reviews.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer

Now that you have some attorney options, it’s time to choose. To get you started, here’s a list of questions to ask an attorney before hiring them:

More Considerations When Hiring a Lawyer

One way to get a feel for an attorney’s practice is to be observant when you go for your first consultation.

How to Find a Good Lawyer

How to find a good lawyer can be a pivotal safeguard in ensuring legal issues don’t spiral into legal problems.

Where Should I Start to Look for a Lawyer?

Begin your search at your State Bar Association’s website. Search for attorneys who are practitioners in the specific realm of law that you need help in. Zero in on any who may be experts in the subcategory that most closely represents your issue.

Business Referrals

As with personal references, it could prove beneficial to query other businesses or independent professionals, particularly those in the same field as you, about advice on finding a good attorney best suited to remedy your legal issues or, better yet, a lawyer who could anticipate potential problems and deal with them before they arise.

Are Advertisements A Good Place To Look For A Lawyer?

Attorneys and law firms in the United States were not legally permitted to advertise their services until 40 years ago. The 1977 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Bates v.

Legal Group Plans

An emerging option for small businesses and independent professions is what is called “Legal Group Plans,” a sort of “legal insurance” that is increasingly being offered by some franchise distributors, labor and credit unions, professional associations, and trade groups.

Online Services

Websites, such as UpCounsel.com, can provide information and access to local law firms and individual attorneys, as well as specialists on a state and national scale.

Identify Needs and Do Research

If you are employed by a company represented by a law firm or one that has an in-house attorney, it is certainly a good idea to query these legal advisers about their proficiencies in whatever issue you are concerned with.

Expert Q&A

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Tips

Consider firing your attorney for doing any of the following: missing filing or court dates, refusing to give you updates on the status of your case, not answering phone calls and emails, and not being honest and forthright when you ask questions.

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Srabone Monir, JD. Srabone Monir, Esq., is an Attorney for the 32BJ chapter of the Service Employees International Union. She received her JD from the St. John's University School of Law in 2013. She is also a VA Accredited Attorney as of 2015 and is licensed to practice law in New Jersey and in New York.

What to Look for in a Lawyer

Before looking for an attorney, decide what kind you need. Common fields include:

Find Free and Low-Cost Legal Help

These programs offer a variety of ways to get legal aid. Some limit their services to people with low incomes.

Find Legal Resources for Specific Groups

Stateside Legal - Find free legal help for military members, veterans, and their families.

Do you have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

Top 5 practice areas for attorneys

Avvo attorneys handle cases in over 120 practice areas, including divorce, criminal defense, and bankruptcy.

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Location is an important factor in looking for a lawyer to represent you. Since your issue will likely depend on state or local laws and regulations, you will want an attorney who understands the regulations for your location. On the practical side, you will also want a lawyer who has an office that is convenient for you to travel to.

Common payments accepted by attorneys

Consultation Fee: A lawyer may charge for you first consultation meeting, but be sure you know the charges before you hire a lawyer. Ask about Consultation fees before you make an appointment, and how the fee is calculated (i.e. by the hour, half-hour, or otherwise).

Conducting Candidate Interviews

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Asking Other Attorneys

Conducting A Background Check

Touring The Lawyer’S Office