by Bruce L. Dorner
Just about every week a prospective client comes to my office and opens the discussion with, “I need a good lawyer.” How do you know if you have found a “good” lawyer?
A good lawyer does not mean the nastiest courtroom advocate or the one who helped your brother-in-law with his divorce. A good lawyer is not someone with gray hair and the three-piece suit. A good lawyer is one who listens to your problem, provides options and alternatives, and helps you solve your legal puzzle.
Here are my thoughts on how to find a good lawyer. First, identify the problem you are trying to solve. Lawyers often have skills in several major legal areas, but rarely have skills in every area of the law. For example, the lawyer who helps you with a divorce may not be the lawyer who can help you draft a will and trust. The lawyer who goes to court to represent a burglar may not be the right one to help set up your new business. It is critical to define your legal problem so you can find the right attorney.
Next, as any attorney will tell you, the best source for new clients is satisfied old clients. Much of my business is built upon referrals from those I have helped in the past. Therefore, ask your relatives and friends who they used to solve their legal problems. Who helped with their divorce? Who set up their new business? Again, be sure you are talking about the same type of problem that you are now facing. The more times you hear the same attorney’s name, the more likely you are getting closer to the target.
Once you identify an attorney, place a phone call. Evaluate how you are greeted on the phone. Were you able to talk with the attorney? If not, did the attorney return your call promptly? Were you able to set up an appointment? Does the attorney sound interested in your problem? Remember, the attorney is interviewing you to determine if you are a suitable client. You need to interview the attorney to determine if this is the right attorney for you.
When you arrive for your first consultation, look around the office. Is it a comfortable environment? Is it neat and clean? Were you offered a beverage if you had to wait? Did the receptionist or legal assistant make you feel welcomed?
Bring a written list of questions and concerns to share your story with the attorney. Often, clients are nervous and forget to mention important details. Ask the lawyer if this type of case is handled on a regular basis. Ask what has happened in cases similar to yours. Ask what you might expect for costs and expenses for your type of case. Be sure the lawyer explains exactly how the fee is computed and payment for services arranged. Were you offered a written fee agreement? Is the lawyer giving you information that is understandable? Is there a two-way dialogue?
Above all, are you comfortable? The relationship between an attorney and his client is a very close personal relationship. You need to feel confident that the lawyer will be able to respond to your needs both in a technical legal sense and in a communication level that you find appropriate. Is the lawyer talking with you — or to you? From my vantage point it is more important that the attorney regularly handles your type of case than his or her academic credentials.
In the end, the key to defining a “good” attorney is nothing more that finding one who is capable of dealing with your legal problems in the manner you find most appropriate. To some extent, it’s an extension of the Golden Rule — do unto others as you would have them do unto you!
This article provides general information only. It is not legal advice. You should consult with your own attorney before making any legal decision.