Make sure the lawyer has the right experience. Expect the lawyer to be a good communicator. There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is the recommendation of a trusted friend, relative or business partner.
However, keep in mind that every legal case is different and that a suitable lawyer for someone else may not be right for you or your legal problem. While there are many professional aspects to consider when choosing a lawyer, its nature should also be taken into account in your decision. Find someone you can trust and make you feel comfortable. A lawyer who works hard for you, exercises good judgment, and is thorough and thoughtful in the process is a valuable asset.
Every city and town in the country has its share of excellent lawyers who will represent your case. This does not mean that they are the best option for you. The city or county where your case is pending is where you can find the lawyer representing you. A local criminal lawyer has advantages over others outside the area in which he works.
Once you have made the decision to hire an attorney, the next step is to choose a specific lawyer to handle your legal matter. While every state has many lawyers to choose from, choosing the right lawyer can make the difference between an enjoyable experience and a frustrating experience. The Choosing the Right Lawyer section of FindLaw provides tips for interviewing and investigating an attorney. You can also find information about the different practice areas of law, as well as the requirements to become a lawyer.
You want an attorney who will work hard on your behalf and promptly fulfill all assignments. Ask all prospective lawyers how to contact them and how long it will take to return their communications to them. You can search for a lawyer referral service that participates in the certification program sponsored by the American Bar Association, which uses a logo to identify lawyer referral programs that meet certain quality standards developed by the ABA. Once you have selected an attorney to call, make sure you have a list of questions ready so that you can systematically assess whether you should hire that lawyer.
The Attorney Referral Service is sponsored and supervised by the Oregon State Bar Association to help people who need legal advice find the right lawyer quickly. If you need an attorney and don't know which one to choose to help you with your particular problem, the Oregon State Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service is available to help you. Remember, it will be easier for you and the lawyer if you make the decision not to hire someone early on instead of changing lawyers in the middle of a case. The profiles tell you about the lawyer's experience, education, fees and, perhaps most importantly, the lawyer's general philosophy for practicing law.
However, what you might not get from a lawyer referral service is a vision of the lawyer's philosophy. Don't expect to find a good lawyer simply by reading an ad or searching for a nearby lawyer on the Internet. Unfortunately, the complaint records of all law regulatory groups indicate that many lawyers are lousy communicators, but to be fair, the expectations of some clients are too high. The current yellow pages provide more information about lawyers than at any time before, so you may be able to make the decision to call a particular lawyer based on your ad.
The first step in hiring an attorney is to choose one in the area of practice that is related to your legal matter, as this will ensure that the lawyer is well versed in cases similar to yours. If you are looking for an attorney to help you deal with a legal problem that has arisen in your life, you may be wondering how to find an attorney and how to know if you are choosing the right lawyer for your particular legal needs. .
