5 Critical Mistakes Often Made When Hiring A Lawyer And How To Avoid Them

Hiring a lawyer with little experience

1. People often hire an attorney who has little or no experience in the area of ​​practice in which they seek representation. A person who has used an attorney to handle one area of ​​the law may not want that same attorney to handle another area of ​​the law. Even if the previous representation was excellent, that attorney may be the wrong choice for a different facet of the law. The practice of law has become more and more specialized and there are fewer and fewer general practitioners who can effectively handle multiple areas of practice. If you choose an attorney who focuses on your particular area in which you need help, you have a much better chance of success. You can further increase your chances of success if you find an attorney who not only focuses on your particular area, but also has a long history of experience in the particular area. There is no substitute for experience. It can take 3-5 years to become proficient in an area of ​​practice if the attorney engages in that area consistently. For an attorney who only handles one or two cases like yours per year, they will likely never become competent in that area.

Choosing a lawyer solely on the basis of price

2. People sometimes choose an attorney solely on the basis of price. Don’t let price be the determining factor when hiring an attorney. It should be one of many factors, but never the only factor. This price buying mentality could be a very critical mistake depending on the area of ​​law. A quality attorney can often end up saving a client a substantial amount of money by knowing how to properly handle a case. Saving a little money in the initial hiring process can sometimes lead to bigger losses in the long run. The old adage that you get what you pay for is often true.

Now, that is not to say that a less expensive attorney is always inferior or that a less expensive attorney will provide a proxy for representation. However, I would never hire the $ 99.00 attorney just because he is the cheapest. That attorney may be less experienced. That lawyer can charge less because he does less. They may not be willing to answer your questions or go into the details necessary to make your case run smoothly. Beware of attorneys who advertise a very low initial fee and then add additional services that other attorneys may include in their flat fee agreements. Nor would you hire an attorney who was also charging an exorbitant amount. We live in a capitalist society and some lawyers charge the moon and the stars for their services. The most expensive lawyer is not necessarily the best. I would focus on hiring a quality representation that leads to positive results. A respected attorney would deliver that benefit for a reasonable fee and provide a written contract outlining their services in an understandable contract.

Don’t ask critical questions

3. People do not ask critical questions at the hiring stage regarding the attorney’s ability, experience, knowledge, and success rate. Be prepared to ask direct questions of the prospective attorney. After all, you are the consumer and you should have a clear idea of ​​the attorney you are hiring. The attorney should be asked how many cases of this nature he handles and what percentage of his practice involves this area. Will you personally oversee the case or just delegate it to an associate or paralegal? Will you be available for ongoing questions, either in person or over the phone? How many years has the attorney been involved in the particular area and what is their success rate? Can you provide some names of satisfied customers? Does the attorney receive continuing legal education training in the particular area? Are you a member of any local, state, or national organization that deals with the particular area? How is your reputation among your peers? Could you provide any reference? Do you have any published work on the subject or have you prepared any useful educational material on the subject that you can review? These are just some of the questions that should be asked in the initial stage of the interview. Your legal situation is of great importance in your life. Take the time to ask the prospective attorney some awkward questions. The answers will be very revealing. In a matter of minutes, you will know if you are meeting with a qualified attorney who is right for you.

Don’t overpay for inferior service

4. Overpaying for inferior service. Lawyers are in the service business. If they don’t provide excellent customer service, it’s not worth hiring them. The client must have great access to the attorney and the information in his personal file. Some attorneys charge a high premium but provide very poor service. Some attorneys restrict access by limiting the hours, days, and hours that file information can be obtained. Make sure you are treated with respect at all times. And that means having your questions answered or phone calls returned within a reasonable amount of time. Make sure the attorney or law firm you hire values ​​you as a client and does not perceive you as just another number. Will you receive friendly treatment from the attorney and staff? These are factors that you should consider heavily when choosing an attorney. When you meet an attorney for the first time in their office, assess the service factor of both the attorney and the staff. Is this a place that you would be comfortable dealing with for weeks or months? What does your instinct say regarding the services being provided?

Failure to check the attorney’s status and references

5. Failing to check the attorney’s status with the licensing board and failing to check if references were provided is the last critical mistake to avoid. Wouldn’t you like to know if the lawyer you are interested in hiring is registered in good standing? What if there are pending complaints against that attorney for negligence or worse? These are issues that would certainly affect your hiring decision if you were aware of them. Also, did you check with any of the references that were provided? Did you call each of the names provided to see if they would highly recommend the attorney? Was their case even remotely similar or in the same area of ​​the law as yours? Ask them to point out at least one weakness in attorney representation or at least one area that could be improved. A little effort early in your case through research can make a big difference in choosing your attorneys.