It's funny sometimes how we are forced to make the most important decisions of our lives when we are in the worst possible position to make them. If we decide to go to college, generally we have no idea what we're going to major in, and we have no real idea which school would be best to go to. When we decide to get married for the first time, realistically we have no idea what being married is like, whether we are actually ready for it, and how our lives will change because of it. If only our future selves could come back in time and tell us what we need to know when buying a car, mortgaging a house, finding a job. "If only I knew then what I know now."
When we choose a lawyer, often we are in such a dilemma. Maybe a friend recommends one, or maybe we've heard about another from somewhere, or maybe we just look in the phone book and pick the one with the nicest looking ad.
Ultimately, finding the right lawyer is a little like finding the right anything else, and sometimes you will curse how foolish you had been, if only you knew then what you know now! While nobody can ever guarantee that you will find the right lawyer every time by following a set of instructions, as lawyers ourselves we would humbly offer the following advice:
- Your lawyer enjoys a special kind of relationship with you, that is most analogous to your doctor. What you tell them is confidential, and it's important that you can and do trust them, because their knowledge of the law helps them to see what is in your best interests and what is not. If you have spoken to them and simply do not feel they are trustworthy, that is a bad sign, and you're likely in for a terrible experience.
- Your lawyer enjoys a special kind of relationship with you that is not analogous to your doctor, in that sometimes your interests and theirs will conflict, and the most profitable thing for your lawyer may not be the best thing for you. It's important that you remember this, and to find out if your lawyer understands and how your lawyer addresses these situations.
- When you first meet a lawyer, remember that in every sense it is a job interview; they are interviewing to work for you. It's important that you get to know how the lawyer works, to get a feel for how they communicate, what their policies are on communicating (like how often, by what preferred method), and see whether their style is compatible with yours. Remember that legal issues can take months, sometimes years to resolve, and if you are not able to communicate and work effectively with your lawyer, it could be a very tough time.
- It's also important to remember that although the lawyer works for you, they are also bound by certain ethical and professional rules which they must follow; a reputable attorney will never risk their license to do something unethical, even if the client insists.
- Always remember that it is your case, not the lawyer's. When you first meet with a lawyer, let them know what your expectations are, and be sure to get from them whether they believe these expectations are realistic and legally possible. Once you have an attorney-client relationship, let the lawyer know how you are feeling, whether or not there is enough communication, if the case is proceeding according to expectations, and if not, how these matters can be addressed.
Picking a lawyer is a tough decision, and really all we can say is to pick carefully. It is not at all uncommon for us to take over cases when a client retains us after having a bad experience with another attorney, and since many matters under the law are time-sensitive, it can be difficult if not impossible to undo the damage caused by delay from a poor attorney-client relationship.
