Not all lawyers are the same. Finding an attorney without enough experience or knowledge to effectively protect your legal interests in and out of the courtroom, can be easy. Just do a simple Google search and list of law firms will magically appear. But how do you really know if the one you choose will be aggressive, competitive, and reliable?
The good news is that there are things that you can do to find an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer with a successful track record. If you know how to spot the right attorney for the job, the process gets much easier.
You Can See Lawyer Reviews on Legal Listing Websites
Marketing for attorneys is a highly competitive undertaking. Lawyers have to contend with thousands of other law firms to stand out among their peers. That can be good and bad when it comes to finding an attorney for your legal needs.
The first place to start is Google. Search for lawyers in the area of law that you need help with. Here’s a list of practice areas to get you on the right path.
- Personal Injury – Car Accidents, Slips and Falls, Medical Malpractice
- Business Law – Corporate Business Formation, Business Contracts, Employer/employee Disputes
- Criminal Law – Criminal Defense
- Divorce and Family Law – Divorce, Child Custody, Property Division, Spousal Maintenance
- Real Estate Law – Property Contracts, Purchasing Contracts, Property Leasing Contracts, Landlord/Tenant Mediation
- Patent, Copyright, and Trademark Law – Intellectual Property Rights, Intellectual Property Disputes
- Tax Law – tax audit disputes, IRS penalties and charges
You can also find lawyer listings on sites like FindLaw.com and Avvo.com. These sites provide information on the attorneys in your area, as well as ratings and reviews. This gives a fair indicator of the legal representation that’s available.
One word of warning: Make sure that you cross-reference and thoroughly check a lawyer’s background to make sure that they have a strong record of success and a reputation for protecting their client’s concerns.
Lawyer Referrals Provide Word-of-Mouth Confirmation for Quality Representation
Attorney referral services go through a screening process to vet out lawyers. Traditionally, they provide reliable recommendations based on your needs and the qualifications of their lawyer client base.
Another advantage to finding an attorney using a referral service is that you can work with a person who understands your needs. Your individual circumstances can be reviewed, and recommendations given based on actual one-on-one interaction with the attorney.
In addition, your referral representative can often give you insight into the methods and personality of an individual. This can include their responsiveness to clients, their courtroom strategy, and how aggressively they have represented other clients in the past.
A Consultation Appointment Can Tell You A Lot About an Attorney
Most law firms and their attorneys offer free legal consultations to discuss the details of your case. This gives you the opportunity to meet and talk with them.
Consultations can be done over the phone, but meeting in person is highly recommended. Body language, demeanor, and overall appearance speak volumes more than just a voice on the phone. Meeting face to face give you the opportunity to get a reliable first impression.
Before going to a consultation appointment, make sure that you’re prepared. Make a list of questions that you want to ask. Questions should include an overview of your case. You should also include questions about the lawyer’s track record and experience. Challenge them to convince you that you need them and that they can represent you better than the alternative.
Don’t Be Casual About Hiring the Right Attorney for Your Legal Needs
Due diligence has proven, time and time again, to be well worth the effort. There are clients who have hired attorneys that completely failed to represent them. They did their customers a significant disservice, and cost them valuable time, money, and heartache.
If you’re in the process of seeking out qualified legal representation, make sure to follow these suggestions, and do everything that you can to ensure that you’re hiring the best lawyer possible.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Who Can Advise You About Your Next Steps
If you were injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Finding an attorney immediately is critical to ensuring that your case is handled fairly.
The Hartman Law Firm, LLC provides legal assistance for those who have suffered from injuries. Their legal expertise rivals the best around.
Frank Hartman will fight for fair and reasonable compensation for your injuries. To get started, call Frank 24/7 at (843) 300-7600. Or, you can contact him online, or email him at james@thehartmanlawfirm.com. The sooner you get Frank on your case, the sooner you’ll get your settlement and start on the road to recovery.
GET YOUR FREE STRATEGY SESSION WITH FRANK
Free strategy session with Frank Hartman
Your Free Strategy Session with Frank includes a twenty minute phone call.
- Get your facts of the case straight to discuss with any attorney
- Legal issues involved what are you facing?
- Without guarantees, what defenses you will raise to help them in their case results? Plan of attack.
- You get this value whether you work together or not.
So call now!
