| Picking a lawyer can be very stressful. Without a | | | | databases such as |
| legal background, it is often difficult to tell the | | | | |
| difference between one attorney and the next. | | | | Education |
| This is further complicated by the degree of | | | | |
| specialization in legal services. In the past, it was | | | | Check to make sure that your lawyer graduated |
| adequate to use a general lawyer who could cover a | | | | from an accredited law school. The American Bar |
| broad range of legal services. The law, however, | | | | Association maintains a list of law schools it has |
| has become increasingly complex and law firms now | | | | approved on its website. |
| often have different departments for specific areas | | | | |
| of specialization such as litigation, personal injury, | | | | Personality |
| malpractice, real estate, and intellectual property. | | | | |
| | | | | Legal matters can be very personal in nature. Make |
| So how do you pick a lawyer? Here are a few | | | | sure that you connect on a personal level with your |
| basic criteria that can be used: | | | | lawyer. If you don’t get along with your |
| | | | | attorney, it will be difficult to work with him |
| Experience | | | | effectively. |
| | | | | |
| Make sure that any lawyer you’re considering | | | | Cost |
| has adequate experience, not only in law, but also in | | | | |
| the specific cases of your type. In addition, make | | | | Legal services can often be prohibitively expensive. |
| sure that he has adequate trial experience. Many | | | | With legal fees running hundreds of thousands of |
| lawyers don’t actually try lawsuits. | | | | dollars, prestigious law firms are frequently too |
| | | | | expensive for most people. Local judges can often |
| Reputation | | | | recommend attorneys that have affordable fees. |
| | | | | |
| It is important to research the past work of an | | | | Picking a lawyer can be difficult. It is important to |
| attorney. Check with past clients, colleagues, and | | | | be fully informed before selecting an attorney. For |
| judges and look for press coverage of past cases. | | | | more information about legal matters, visit |
| In addition, you can search peer-review online | | | | FreeMalpracticeAdvice. |