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Choosing a Lawyer

No matter how you find a lawyer, these suggestions will help you make sure you have the best possible working relationship.

Keep in mind that you’re hiring the lawyer to perform a service for you. So fight any urge you have to surrender to or be intimidated by the lawyer. You should be the one who decides what you feel comfortable doing about your legal and financial affairs.

Second, make sure you have good chemistry with any lawyer you hire. When making an appointment, ask to talk directly to the lawyer. If you don’t get through, this may give you a hint as to how accessible the lawyer is.

If you are able to talk to the lawyer, ask some specific questions. Do you get clear, concise answers? Is the lawyer making an effort to teach you about your overall situation? If not, look for someone else. Also, pay attention to how the lawyer responds to your knowledge. If you’ve read this book, you’re already better informed than the average client. Does the lawyer appreciate your efforts to educate yourself?

Your main goal at the initial conference is to find out what the lawyer recommends in your case and how much it will cost. Go home and think about the lawyer’s suggestions. If they don’t make sense or you have other reservations, call someone else.

When shopping for a lawyer, it’s common to hire the first one you talk to, unless the lawyer’s fees are way out of your league or you really don’t get along with the lawyer. You would be best served by visiting a few people before making your final decision. But how do you bring yourself to say, “Thanks for the information. I’ll think about it and give you a call”? I suggest you repeat this to yourself 100 times before you make your first contact. After you walk away the first time, the rest will come naturally.