How Do I Know If My Lawyer is Good?

Michelle Wilson - February 10, 2024

When you need legal representation, choosing the right lawyer is imperative. A good lawyer can make a difference in your case, the outcome of your trial, and the judge’s verdict or decision. With over 1.3 million lawyers registered in the United States, recognizing a good lawyer is the first step in your legal proceeding. Start by assessing the individual professionally, considering their attitude and activity within the legal community, and searching for reviews online.

What Does a Lawyer Do?

To practice, a lawyer must be “called to the bar” and maintain good standing in their professional corporation. A lawyer’s daily tasks may vary according to their specialty. Some lawyers act as advisors, others work within corporations, and a few choose to defend their clients’ interests in court.

A few key areas of law include:

• Mediation services
• Administrative law
• Bankruptcy and insolvency law
• Civil litigation
• Construction and corporate law
• Employment law
• Family law

Find a Lawyer that Matches Your Needs

Although lawyers can practice in various ways, choosing an experienced lawyer in the area you require is always best. Talk to a few different lawyers before signing a contract, even if you must pay a consultation fee. Ask your potential lawyer about your case, including previous clients.

Recognizing the Traits of a Decent Lawyer

While this step may seem self-explanatory, many individuals miss critical traits during the initial consultation with their lawyer. Try to take note of the following characteristics during your consultation and assess how well this individual matches your specific needs.

Are They an Attentive Listener?

Although most people will include listening in their communication with their lawyer, it’s critical to find a lawyer who understands how to listen effectively. Assess whether your lawyer is trying to understand what you’re saying, even when it is irrelevant. A great lawyer will always take in all information and analyze it thoroughly.

Are They Compassionate?

A lawyer should always have compassion and empathy for their client. Clients often approach lawyers with heightened emotional states during difficult times. Although lawyers should separate their emotions from the challenging cases, they should maintain compassion.

How is Their Composure?

Good lawyers will maintain a solid emotional balance, even during high-conflict situations. Legal cases can quickly become intense, but maintaining respect and professionalism should always be crucial.

Is Your Lawyer Persuasive?

The law isn’t just something learned in school; it’s a specific set of skills that requires persuasion, confidence, and interpersonal communication. The lawyer is responsible for a critical aspect of your life, with permanent decisions. A good lawyer will remain personable, convincing, honest, and focused on results.

Are They Organized?

A decent lawyer should stay on top of their caseloads, especially regarding deadlines and appointments. Evaluate the lawyer’s office for tidiness, organization, and administrative aspects. If your lawyer can’t find an email you sent during the consultation, they may not have the best organization.

Is Your Lawyer Honest?

Although fees and costs may be a touchy subject, knowing the financial weight of your case is imperative. Ask your prospective lawyer about any fees, costs, or administrative work. If the law firm has a clear fee guide for the services offered, it’s a good sign. Watch for any fees or charges for emails, phone calls, meetings, or photocopying—these small fees can add up significantly over time.

Assessing Activity in the Legal Community

Decent lawyers will remain involved in the legal communities where they practice. This activity might include volunteer positions, including organizations or advocacy groups. Outside involvement might consist of academic works, academia, or presentations.

When asking your prospective lawyer about outside community involvement, write down the answers and keep a copy. Then, spend a few moments searching for these activities online to check their credibility and authenticity.

Spend Time Assessing Their Feedback and Reviews

Before meeting with a lawyer, spend a few moments looking at online reviews of the individual. Users can start the review process by entering the solicitor’s name into a search engine to see websites covering third-party reviews. Look for any reviews concerning this, particularly regarding communication or payment issues.

Check the State Bar

The state bar will always list every registered and practicing attorney within the state. Lawyers can only practice law in approved states and may not transfer licenses across state lines. Searching through the state bar will include the lawyer’s basic contact details, license information, firm size, specialty, education, and graduation year. The results may also indicate the lawyer’s current standing.

Review Previous Public Records

Individuals can review the lawyer’s previous work by searching for active court cases. These documents are public records, accessed online and through the courthouse. Although these documents won’t outline the solicitor’s personality or approach to legal cases, they can showcase the experience and specialty. If you find anything concerning, ask the lawyer directly or move on to another person.

Read Through Third-Party Websites

Many different online reviews are available for lawyers. Yelp, Google, and other third-party networks allow individuals to share their experience working with the solicitor. Take what you read cautiously, as many disgruntled people may post negative reviews when the case results have nothing to do with the lawyer. When in doubt, ask the lawyer about the review and see their version. A good lawyer will likely defend the work they did without offering case specifics. Likewise, a decent lawyer won’t speak badly about previous clients or the relationships they’ve had.

Scan Through the Lawyer’s Website

A decent lawyer will always maintain a professional appearance, including online. Carefully review the lawyer’s website, looking for glaring errors or typos. Review different sections of the platform for any services or specialties offered. Be wary of a lawyer willing to take a case outside their specialty. Likewise, carefully screen any lawyer that doesn’t collect payment unless you win.

Ask for Referrals and Recommendations

The best feedback for a decent lawyer is a referral from someone who has used the services personally. Talk to friends, coworkers, family, or local online communities about legal recommendations from lawyers they’ve used. Ask anyone with a recommendation about the fee structure, success, struggles, and relevant details. Most people will happily share the name of an attorney they were successful with and which individuals to avoid.

Conclusion

Determining whether your lawyer is good takes a bit of conversation, investigation, and gut feeling. Different lawyers will study and practice different specialties, making it essential to assess the fit with your personality and the specifics of your case. Consider booking a few consultations and discussing the details in person. Look for an attorney who remains calm and collected without seeming arrogant. You want a lawyer willing to fight for your case without costing you a fortune to do it.