How to Choose the Best Lawyer

Finding the right attorney to meet your legal needs is intimidating; but, as with any consumer transaction, doing your research is key. It’s important to remember that the lawyer is offering a service to you, so you should evaluate the services offered in much the same way you’d evaluate any other type of service you’re looking to purchase, like a medical specialist or a contractor. When looking for an attorney, consider these tips from the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone:

 

 

 

1. Experience

 

As a general rule, the longer a business has been around, the more variables they’ve seen and have successfully worked with. Look for an attorney or firm who’s been in the industry for a fair amount of time, understand their services, then decide if their experience is a good fit for the legal service you need.

 

2. Reviews

The internet provides many platforms for individuals to share their experiences, making it easy for potential clients and buyers to gain insight into the business. When looking through reviews, use major sites like Yelp or Google Business to ensure the reviews are current, relevant, and aren’t spam. Keep in mind that one bad review doesn’t mean a bad business; we’ve all had a bad experience or dealt with a client who was not going to leave happy no matter what. However, more bad than good reviews is a red flag. When multiple people are having the same issue, it’s the business, not a rogue client.

3. Talk to the Professional

This part of the search process can be tricky. Most attorneys will provide an initial consultation at no charge, but once you decide to contact them directly, you’re going to be subject to hearing pitch after pitch. Nevertheless, after each one, ask yourself: did they help me understand the process, or tell me everything I wanted to hear? A good attorney will lay out realistic expectations of time, costs, and procedure up front. By not being on the same page from the beginning, you’re susceptible to surprise costs and potential liabilities.

4. Regulatory Board Information

 

All legal professionals have some sort of overseeing regulatory organization. For example: a quick search of your respective State Bar’s website can provide a ton of information about a potential attorney you’re looking to hire. Ensuring someone is legally allowed to perform services doesn’t seem like something you should have to do, but you’d be surprised how many so-called professionals are out there.

 

5. “Specialist” Attorneys

Finding a firm that focuses specifically on your legal need can help you greatly in finding the right attorney. For example: Attorney Carbone specializes in personal injury, criminal, and family law. 

 

6. Price

 

While many base their decisions on price point, this should be the least important factor in your search for an attorney. Remember: cheapest is not best; if something is cheaper than most in the industry, there’s a reason. Critical legal matters are not the time to bargain services. 

The main takeaway here is to do as much research as possible when looking for an attorney. This is someone you will be trusting with a major part of your life, and someone you will be working with for some length of time. The outcome of this decision affects both your present circumstances and your future. Finding a good fit from the start saves time and money, and saves you from creating a bigger problem than you started with.

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