“He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” – Abraham Lincoln
With the number practicing lawyers in the U.S. steadily increasing, finding a qualified attorney is no easy task. How do you tell the good apples from the rotten ones? How do you know you’re hiring a hero who will endlessly fight for you? Instead of focusing just on the traditional licenses, certifications and awards, dig a little deeper to determine whether he or she truly has your best interests at heart.
1. Ask about pro-bono work.
Does he offer free – or substantially reduced – services to clients in need? Has he worked with any nonprofit organizations or charities? Does he regularly seek out cases brought forth by the community’s disadvantaged? Most, if not all, lawyers who offer pro-bono services do so to help those who could not otherwise afford legal counsel. If your lawyer takes cases on a pro-bono basis, chances are he truly cares for clients – and not their wallets.
2. Ask about values.
What values matter the most to your lawyer? Does she care deeply about honesty? Does she pride herself on open and consistent communication? Does the community regard her as more ethical than her competitors? Learning one’s values is one of the best ways you can determine a person’s character, and lawyers are no exception.
3. Ask about his or her story.
Why did he want to become a lawyer? Who, if anyone, influenced the decision? What does he love most about his job? Why did he choose the practice area that he did? If you choose to hire him, you will develop a close relationship, so it stands to reason that you understand how the legal profession called out to him – and why he answered.
4. Ask about the good – and the bad.
What are her strengths and weaknesses? What are her aspirations and fears? Any lawyer with an imagination can paint a positive picture of her firm, so do your best to get some negative pieces of information if you can. No law firm runs without a hitch, and learning about the bad will help you determine whether this legal team is the best match for your needs.
If you’re facing a family law matter or divorce and you need insight or help through the process, please contact the Law Offices of Silky Sahnan today at 888-228-1098 to schedule your confidential consultation, or visit us at legalservicesca.com for more information.
Additional Resources:
Why Are so Many People Skeptical of Attorneys and the Legal Profession?
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