These days it seems like there’s always a time when a lawyer will be needed to fight for something. With reputations ranging from ambulance chasers to attorneys to the stars, it’s hard to know how to find a trustworthy one.
There are several things to do. First, of course, check if a lawyer is licensed or not, and the other steps are to investigate them online and read reviews. But how do you start? The best ways are to get referrals from friends, research them, and finally, use gut feelings.
Make a Shortlist
Unfortunately, not all lawyers will meet the requirements of the case. Start with a shortlist of around 5–10, then narrow them down until the right one is found.
- Referrals: A friend or colleague has likely needed the services of a lawyer. Provided on the outcome, they may be able to refer one.
- Locality: choose a lawyer that’s in the same city. They’re more familiar with the judges in the area, and one from out of town may not have the same advantage.
- Specialty: Not all divorce lawyers are experts in import/export law, for example. Be sure to choose one with experience and training for the specific case they’re needed.
Check Their Credentials
A lawyer must be licensed, and this is non-negotiable. You need to confirm not only this but their trustworthiness. There are four ways to do it.
1. State Bar Profile: A legitimate practicing lawyer must be listed with their state bar association. Search by their state bar number and name. The result will provide their contact information — match that to what’s been given and their ability to practice.
If they’ve ever been involved in anything unethical, that could appear here too.
2. Their Website: Do they have a professional website? Look for successful wins, accolades, local awards, legitimate testimonials, and even how the site is set out. Ensure their license and registration numbers are clearly displayed.
Double-check them with the state bar association mentioned above. A poorly designed website may indicate a lack of professionalism, but only sometimes. On the other hand, an overly super-slick site may also suggest things are too good to be true.
3. Google Search: One of the best ways to choose a lawyer is to see if they’re newsworthy. Any unbiased, positive stories that appear may indicate that they’re the ones to choose. Also, look for stories that positively highlight things they do within the community.
Things like sponsorships or pro-bono cases.
4. Reviews: Yelp is an excellent resource for business reviews. Significantly few reviews could raise some red flags; if most of the reviews are negative, this is also a consideration.
Finally, if overly positive reviews are abundant, try to confirm them against testimonials on their site or news stories to see that they match up. If the positive reviews are legitimate, this may be the right lawyer to choose.
Are They the Right Fit?
Everybody wants a lawyer that’s in their corner. Compatibility is vital.
Gut feelings come into play here. Are they comfortable to be around, or does something feel off?
Does it seem like they really want/believe they can help, or are they just looking for a payout? Consider their personality. If they’re reserved and soft-spoken, will that be a benefit or a detriment if the case goes to trial?
If the answer to any of the above is negative, they may not be the right lawyer for this situation.
Take the Time to Choose
Finding a trustworthy lawyer is possible, but be prepared to do the work.
Begin by making a shortlist, use referrals from friends and keep it case specific. Then investigate them as much as possible. Check their credentials, if they have a professional website, and any news stories and reviews.
The last step, and it’s equally important, is to make sure they’re personally suitable for the case. Comfort levels, confidence, compatibility, and willingness to win all need to be present for this to succeed.