Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business

How to Find the Right Lawyer

If you are looking for a lawyer, it’s worth it to shop around. Here are some tips.

Start with personal referrals. This is your best approach. If you know someone who was pleased with the services of a real estate or bankruptcy lawyer, call that lawyer first.

See whether you can get free or low-cost help. Many law schools sponsor clinics that provide free legal advice to consumers. And many places have Senior Law Projects, with lawyers who will, without charge, help people over 55 with debt and foreclosure issues. To find something near you, Google “senior legal services” in your area. Many parts of the country also have functioning legal aid offices that will help people who qualify—who are poor enough—deal with foreclosures. And if you don’t qualify, you may get a quality referral to a lawyer who won’t charge you as much as others in the community might.

Be careful with lawyer referral panels. Most county bar associations will give you the names of lawyers who have expertise in fighting foreclosures. But some bar associations may not do much screening of the lawyers they list. Ask about this when you call.

Check out online directories. Both bar associations and commercial websites provide lists of real estate lawyers online, usually with a lot more information about the lawyer than you’re likely to get in a yellow pages ad. Start with the lawyer directory on the Nolo website (www.nolo.com). It sets the standard for providing information about how the lawyer goes about the practice of law. Use Google to find other lawyers for your state or city.

Look for a bankruptcy expert. To find a good bankruptcy lawyer, consider using the membership directory of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, at www.nacba.org. Membership in this organization is a good sign that a bankruptcy lawyer is tuned in to the nuances of bankruptcy, both generally and how it can be used to save your house or keep you in it longer. Also, because foreclosure and bankruptcy are so closely related these days, a bankruptcy lawyer will also likely be knowledgeable about foreclosures.