|
Finding an attorney can be difficult. There are many good attorneys out there but how do you find one that's right for your case?
The purpose of this article is to discuss where to look for an attorney, and what to look for in the attorneys that you find.
Where To Look
Many years ago the Yellow Pages used the advertising phrase, "Let your fingers do the walking". It is certainly easier to turns yellow page advertising with your fingers than to walk up and down city blocks knocking on doors looking for an attorney. However, isn't there a better way to find someone than to only look at their paid advertisement?
Yellow pages, and Internet listings are often the same thing-advertisement. As you know, advertisement tells you only what the attorney (or his marketing firm) wants to present. Hopefully it's true; as far as it goes. There is a better way.
On the Internet, there is a great website: martindale.com. The Martindale-Hubble group has been listing and evaluating attorneys, nation wide, for years. It is objective information; not simply an advertisement.
When you get to martindale.com you perform a search for the type of attorney you want and the geographic area (e.g., "San Diego, California"). The website will produce several names for you to consider along with descriptive information about the attorney as well as the attorney's rating for competency and ethics.
What To Look For In A Divorce Attorney
For years individuals have called me over the telephone and asked initial question before making an office appointment. Some of the questions are more specific and complex than others and it is good and smart to question attorneys before you select one.
However, often the questions are, in one way or
another, asking the same question -- "Are you experienced in Family Law"? and/or "Are you any good?"
If you do ask questions, try to only ask objective questions (e.g., "how many years have you practiced law?") rather than subjective questions (e.g., "what is your winning percentage").
Martindale.com will provide you with the rating information. Look for an attorney who is "AV" rated. Secondly, look for an attorney (in family law) who is certified as a specialist by the California State Bar Board Of Legal Specialization. These are objective questions that can be answered either from the attorney or through the web site.
Finally, after you have a list of competent attorneys, use your interviewing skills to narrow down the list to the attorney who is compatible with your case. Did you know that some attorneys love to handle property cases (e.g., military retirement) but hate child custody cases.
This approach should be effective in causing you to find the attorney that is just right for your case.
For answers to your Divorce and Family Law Questions, we had prepared a handy FAQ to help you get answers to these very important questions. |
