OT: Lawyer questions?
 

How do you tell if a lawyer is extremely good at what he does?
I know that everybody hates them and you guys will probably have some fun with this, but on a serious note when someone says "get yourself a good lawyer" how can you tell one from the next. I mean hell, the yellow pages are full of them:confused:
The reason I ask is that my business is currently in need of one and my partner just went to the first guy that he saw in the phone book:rolleyes: How can I tell if this guy is a "ambulance chasser" or if he will actually do a good job in representing my company's needs?

My Uncle is an Ex DA in NC, has never had to advertise. I have very good experience with my lawyers, and none of them advertise. Really good ones don't need to, their reputation does all the talking. But you pay for it!!!!

I know a couple of good ones, I've found the best way to tell is word of mouth (past cases) find out what city yo are going to court in and get a lawyer that is friends with the judge. there are always a few. They all kind of know each other and if you know anyone that practices law in the area they could probrably point you in the right direction of a good lawyer for the case. Every lawyer has their specialty to so find the right one. (we got a good dui lawyer here that everyone uses and he's killer.)

Having experienced this: I called 10 attorneys and asked them all the same question...."Who is it that would least like to go up against in court?" and if someone's name consistantly is stated then that's the ticket. This has worked in my favor in the past!

Just my .02

Julie

Another drug smuggling charge on that Cigarette? ;) :D

HB, give it up dude! :mad:

Talk to fellow business owners, local suppliers, big clients or anyone that has had to do extensive legal wrangling whether criminal or corporate law (whichever you are looking for) You also might want to try a local associations (even country club!!) that would have business owner for input. It's like shopping for a boat you have to do your homework!
Hope this helps.

thanks guys keep the info coming

Word of mouth is about the best way. Most good lawyers don't have to advertise much. Not to say that good lawyers don't advertise. (got to protect myself from a slander suit! :D)

Sorry, I just had to do it. Good luck with the Lawer and the case.

Most states have Certifications issued by the State's highest Court to a limited # of lawyers based on experience and testing. For ex. in NJ, you can be a Certified Trial Attorney, etc... I've been in practice for 10 yrs. w/ no advertising, just word of mouth. Good luck.

several years ago i had a business problem and had to go to court in a county many miles from were i lived, i went into court to reprsent myself and the judge postponed the court date and told me to find a attorney well i walked out of the court room and walked over to the courts counter were the secretaries worked that do all the paper work and told them that i was in need of a good attorney and was there anyone they suggested they all pretty much were in agreement on one attorney and i called him told him what was going on he asked for a few documents supporting my case and before the next trial date it was thrown out and i never had to appear in court and i never meet the attorney in person. bottom line the girls at the court how do the paper work know whos who
later

Great advice, later.

Agreed. Pretty much along the lines of what I was going to suggest. Go to the local Bar Assoc (not the "get hammered" bar, but the legal Bar) and poke around. That and word of mouth oughtta get you some good advice. Also, look up any info you can about the attorney at the Bar. Most of the good ones do not need advertising. Good Luck.

I'm a lawyer. Sometimes hate to admit it. My recommendation is you call the bar assocation to get referrals. But you vist at least 5 or 6 lawyers and ask the hard questions: what is my downside, how bad can this turn out, what if I have a losing postion, how will you handle it.

You want someone to give you the honest answers. If they paint everything as rosy, beware. You need to know the good, the bad and the ugly. If they won't admit the ugly, then move on. Nothing is certain in law and an honest lawyer needs to admit that to you.

I have absolute winning cases, but still warn clients that I can't control the other side or the judge. Look for these signs of honesty.

Good luck

The BEST lawyer is the one who knows his limitations and can recommend the truly great ones for each specific situation.

I've used TEN different lawyers (just counted them) for different situations and two of them will not be called upon again because they tried to be allknowing when they would have done me a better job by recommending another man.

That leaves me with EIGHT of them who I would run back to in a heartbeat.

Hopefully, you will find a good one for your needs.

ATTORNEY'S/PUT THEM ON TRIAL
 

MY Brother Kevin is a corp.attorney in K.C. You have to put them on your own little trial. Ask them questions and listen. I said listen, see if they are full of sNit, your instincts will guide you. Also call them and see how they return your phone calls promptly or not and also each good lawyer, has his own little group and specialty, such as med mal, pi, corp deceptive trade practice, bankruptcy or so on. Then ask them, who they know in the business, do they know alot of people, associated with your type of case, which this can be very helpful to yours if they do. Like some of you say, YOU don't need a full yellow page advertisment to be famous ,word of mouth and customer refferal will get you a long ways, my two cents./my brother is a great attorney,no offense to any attorneys here. Everyone needs them, but you have to put them on trial too. DARIN:crazy:

if at all possible find out what judge will be handling your case , then find out what law firm he came from and hire someone from the same firm.

just something i heard once.
kinda makes sense though.

I don't know any good ones, but I can name 3 or 4 bad ones! My only advice is not to pay before services are rendered. Might not be important with a good attorney, but I couldn't even get return phone calls from the putz that handled my divorce. My ex-wife kept me informed of what was going on, not exactly how it should be!