Choosing a Lawyer
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2004-03-19 15:17:22
Many people choose a lawyer based on the recommendation of relatives, friends, or someone whose judgment they trust. Often, those persons can refer you to someone who has provided similar legal services for them. Others look to their local or state bar associations, courts or banks for a referral to a lawyer who can handle their type of legal matter. However you go about finding someone, there are things you need to know before hiring a lawyer.
Here are some things to consider:
- Is the lawyer in good standing with the bar? Does s/he have a good reputation in the legal community?
- How much experience does the lawyer have with cases like yours?
- If there are other lawyers in the firm, who will have ultimate responsibility for handling your case, will it be the lawyer you consult or someone else in the firm? (If it is another attorney, you should consider all of these questions as they relate to that other attorney.)
- Is the lawyer ’ s office accessible to you? Is it on a bus line? Is there adequate parking? Can your needs be accommodated if you are a person with a disability?
- Does the lawyer have adequate office staff who can respond to you if the lawyer is temporarily unavailable?
- Is the lawyer willing to offer you a free initial consultation and an estimate of what more extensive services may cost should you require them?
- Does the lawyer carry malpractice insurance?
- Does the lawyer provide a written fee agreement that is easy for you to understand?
- Does the lawyer provide itemized bills? What payment methods are available to you?
- How does the lawyer handle client complaints or other disagreements?
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