How to Choose a Lawyer

If you have a legal matter and have decided it is time to hire a lawyer, the next, and most important challenge you will have is choosing the perfect lawyer. Most lay people do not understand the legal system nor do they know how to choose a lawyer. There are, as we all know, a multitude of lawyers to choose from here in New York. Choosing the appropriate attorney for your legal matter will contribute to a pleasant experience rather than a frustrating one. With that said, it is important to perform your own due diligence when seeking out the perfect attorney. Research, time and patience will play a significant role in this task. 

SOME HELPFUL GUIDELINES FOR HIRING AN ATTORNEY

First and foremost, it is important for clients to know that hiring a good professional lawyer is not a sure fire formula for winning a case. Hiring a good lawyer will, however, offer you the best chances for a favorable outcome and afford you the confidence that you hired and had the best possible legal representation for your case. 

The first step to hiring the appropriate attorney is to determine which practice area is directly related to your legal matter. It is important to hire an attorney in the specific practice area so as to ensure that you have a lawyer that is well versed and experienced in legal matters that mirror your own. 

There are a few general characteristics to look for. An honest and good attorney will be able to share with you a concise fee structure which will help you to determine whether or not the attorney meets the needs of your budget. Another typical characteristic to look for is an attorney who displays good communication and will keep you apprised of all that is going on in your case. Lastly, it is critical to perform research on any attorney before hiring them. Look for past client reviews, any complaints or lawsuits filed against the attorney, or even a win/loss record if one is available. 

TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE YOUR CHOICE IS THE RIGHT CHOICE

As we have mentioned, it is very important to perform your due diligence and as much research as possible before choosing any one attorney to represent you. It is surely a good practice when you find attorneys that are of interest to you, to conduct a simple but informative interview of the attorney. In addition, you can ask the opinion of other attorneys who are perhaps in a different practice area, but are familiar with the attorney you are looking to hire. 

In addition to these two important steps, be certain to do a background check on the attorney as well and, by all means, consult with Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Finally, when you feel fairly confident you have found an attorney for your case, then ask to take a tour of their office and check out first-hand the professional layout and the overall feel of the office environment.