| Finding a good lawyer is as far as many of us go | | | | business yourself and are looking for a business |
| when it comes to dealing with legal issues, leaving | | | | lawyer. Professional 'lawyer referral' services exist |
| said lawyer to handle the case and all the | | | | and can often be found online that provide quick |
| complicated legal-talk from there onwards. For | | | | and comprehensive guidance. |
| that very reason however it's crucial that you | | | | You may even get lucky however and have a |
| pick the right man or woman for the job, | | | | lawyer as a friend, or a friend of a friend. In |
| otherwise you could cost yourself a fair bit of | | | | these cases you have the benefit of there being |
| money or just dealing with an arrogant hot head. | | | | a pre-existing relationship and the lawyer will most |
| Locating a good lawyer isn't always easy | | | | likely want to do right by you. However this can |
| however and many people have no idea how to | | | | also be risky as they say not to mix friendship |
| go about it. Of course one place to find local | | | | and business and it's possible that a friend might |
| lawyers is in the phone book, or looking online. Of | | | | take more liberties than a third party, or that |
| course the problem with this method however is | | | | disagreements or failure on their part could strain |
| that you have no information (other than the | | | | your relationship. Consider the person and your |
| biased marketing spiel presented on the websites) | | | | relationship to them then decide if it's a wise |
| regarding the actual quality of said lawyer. Of | | | | move. |
| course you will stand a slightly better chance of | | | | Once you have a name you should look into their |
| avoiding Delboy-types if you go through a | | | | records and history. Many directories provide this |
| respected law firm but you still won't know | | | | option such as Nolo, MartinDale or Findlaw. Using |
| exactly what you're getting. | | | | such a directory you can check that your |
| One much better way to get information | | | | prospective lawyer has a valid license, has passed |
| regarding lawyers then is to get personal referrals. | | | | their Bar test and a bit more information from |
| Ask friends and families if they have know any | | | | their personal profile such as their experience, |
| good lawyers and if they can recommend them. | | | | history and philosophy of practicing. This way you |
| Some people with have their own lawyer that | | | | can get a good idea of how much expertise your |
| they call on for all their legal cases - as that | | | | lawyer and a brief glimpse of their professional |
| lawyer is getting repeat business it's a fairly safe | | | | history. |
| bet that they're at least competent at what they | | | | As well as checking that your lawyer has a good |
| do. Similarly if you know of someone who's had | | | | history and is able to work in your area, normally |
| the same problem as you - say an accident at | | | | you will want to choose a lawyer who specialises |
| work - then you could get in contact with them | | | | in the subject you're dealing with. In cases where |
| and ask who they used and whether or not their | | | | you've dealt with the lawyer before then it won't |
| case was successful. Don't take these referrals to | | | | matter if they don't normally focus on cases like |
| be 100% accurate as different people have | | | | yours, but if you've got a large choice then you |
| different opinions, so you should try to get | | | | may as well improve your odds of success by |
| information from as many sources as possible. | | | | getting a lawyer who specialises in your type of |
| Similarly if you don't know any friends with good | | | | case and a 'general practitioner' may not have all |
| lawyers you may be able to get referrals from | | | | of the information regarding your circumstances if |
| businesses and possibly even your place of work. | | | | you're a small business for example. |
| This can be particularly helpful if you run a small | | | | |