How To Choose A Lawyer

By Nicole Black

I don’t know about you, but whenever I’m in the market for a big purchase, I try to learn everything there is to know about it before setting foot in a store. Why? Because I want make an educated, knowledgeable decision. When it comes to selecting a lawyer, the process shouldn’t be any different, but I’ve found that most people don’t even know where to begin.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to go about choosing the right lawyer for your legal needs. Here are 5 pointers:

• Personal references— Many times, friends, family and co-workers are one of the best sources of referrals. Ask people whom you know and respect to recommend the names of attorneys that they’ve worked with in the past.
  
  
• Other attorneys—Attorneys are another great resource. A lawyer that you know may not necessarily handle the type of case that you have but will likely be able to recommend another competent attorney who can handle your legal matter.
  
  
• The Lawyer Referral Service--The Monroe County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service can refer you to an attorney who may be able to assist you with your problem. The phone number for the Lawyer Referral Service is (585) 546-2130.
  
  
• Legal directories—Consult commercial legal directories, available at the Appellate Division Law Library and your local library, such as Martindale Hubbell and Best Lawyers in America. These books list lawyers by their specialty and some directories include only those lawyers who have been recommended by other lawyers practicing in the same community.
  
  
• Online research—There is a wealth of information available online, including law firm websites, local newspaper articles about pending legal matters and the attorneys handling those cases, lawyer blogs, and other informational sites.

“How To Choose A Lawyer” provides guidance in finding and choosing the right lawyer for your legal matter and includes general information regarding attorney fees, such as the difference between hourly fees, fixed fees and contingency fees. It also outlines your rights and responsibilities as a client and offers a list of questions to ask attorneys that you are considering hiring.

Choosing a lawyer is a big decision and one that should be made carefully, not randomly. But, the good news is--with a little research and legwork you can make educated decision and find the right lawyer for your legal matter.

Nicole Black is an attorney in Rochester, New York and provides comprehensive legal research and writing services, including appeals, on a contract basis to attorneys across New York State. Prior to becoming a contract attorney, she practiced law for eight years, first as an Assistant Public Defender and then as a litigation associate. Feel free to browse her web site, http://www.nicoleblackesq.com, and her legal blog, Sui Generis, http://nylawblog.typepad.com