TALK TO A FEW LAWYERS

TAKE YOUR TIME

Check out at least half a dozen and interview three or four before making a choice. Remember, you are about to hire someone who could change your life forever. Take your time.

Contact lawyers by phone or email first. Have a written list of questions and brief outline of your case handy

See if the initial contact looks like this is a lawyer you would like to consider. If not, thank them for their time and move on to the next lawyer on your list.

MAKE A SHORT LIST

 OF TWO OR THREE LAWYERS

Now, make appointments and go to see each of the lawyers personally.

Interview them as if you were hiring them to work for your company.

Ask them for relevant references.

Make the calls and check the references out. See if they were happy with the work, the lawyers, the results and the bill.

Ask if they would use that lawyer again. You will save money in the end.

MEETING WITH PROSPECTIVE LAWYERS

Bring all available documentation and make notes about your problem before meeting with your prospective lawyer for the first time.

It will allow you to present your problem in the clearest and most organized manner possible. You can then evaluate the lawyer's response to your case and questions.

  ASK EACH LAWYER THESE QUESTIONS

•     How long have you been in practice?
•     Do you have a specialist designation?
•     How many cases like this have you had?
•     Do you go to trial or are most cases settled out of court?
•     How many have you won?
•     How much would this case cost me?
•     What payment plans will you accept?
•     Who will actually do the work on this file?
•     How long will this type of case take to see to a settlement or the end?

These are loaded questions, but any lawyer can provide answers to every one of them without difficulty. The answers will help you weed out some lawyers. Lawyers will also appreciate this since it saves both you and them from wasted time and effort.

Do not be shy about asking about costs. You will save money in the end.

ONCE A LAWYER KNOWS WHAT YOUR CASE IS ABOUT, CONSIDER:

•  whether you'll be comfortable working closely with the firm,

• whether you believe the lawyer has the experience and skill to handle your case,
• whether you understand his/her explanation of what the case involves, and
• whether the fee arrangements seem reasonable.

NOW YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE.

So in picking a lawyer, eliminate the obvious non starters, sort through the rest using your common sense, gut feel and judgment.

If the lawyer seems after all this to be someone you can trust and work with, sign on the dotted line.