What Makes a Good Lawyer? 5 Key Tips for Choosing an Attorney

It isn’t an easy decision to decide to hire a lawyer. After all, who wants to be stuck with a huge bill? Unfortunately, you need a lawyer if you want to maximize your chances of success in the courtroom.

When it only takes one small mistake to screw up your case, you can’t afford to go at it alone. The question is, what makes a good lawyer? Keep reading to learn five key tips for finding the right lawyer for your case.

Check the Team

Some lawyers work on cases small enough to handle things on their own. Once you start getting into more significant lawsuits, that becomes much harder.

Make sure the team your lawyer works with has the skills to handle the job. Ask to talk with the people working on your case, so you don’t worry about unfamiliar lawyers and aides making crucial decisions for you. Also make sure that you’re looking for an expert in their field, for example, a life insurance attorney dealing with denied claims.

Look for the Right Fees

You have to be careful when paying for lawyers. If you find someone that charges an hourly fee, you’re going to get hit with a massive bill if you have a complicated case. Make sure you learn about the type of billing a lawyer offers you.

If you don’t have many needs, hourly might be okay. However, you might want to work on a contingency basis if you have a long road ahead of you. With a contingency, you’ll pay your lawyer a percentage of your settlement amount.

Check on Referrals

You shouldn’t take what a lawyer tells you at face value. At the end of the day, they’re trying to make a sale. They won’t necessarily tell you any problems they have.

Past clients can fill you in on the details that lawyers skip over. You’ll learn how they work and if they will fit the style of lawyer you’re looking to work with.

Find a Great Communicator

The legal process can be long and complicated. The last thing you want is to hire a lawyer who doesn’t return your calls.

One of the best qualities of a good lawyer is communication skills. Before you hire someone, check to see what response time they guarantee. Ideally, it shouldn’t take more than 24 hours to get a response to your questions.

Find the Right Expert

It isn’t enough to handle a general practitioner when you go to court. You want to work with a lawyer who has plenty of experience in the field of law that you’re filing a suit in.

Learn the top questions to ask when hiring a lawyer when figuring this out. A field expert should have no problem answering specific questions about issues that you’ll face in the course of your legal battle.

Now You Know What Makes a Good Lawyer

Now that you understand what makes a good lawyer, it’s time to start your search. It’s easy to get star-struck when talking to a savvy lawyer. Keep your wits about you and use the tips above to make sure you find the right lawyer for the job.

Do you want to learn more about the legal process? Read more of our blog to learn what else you need to know.