How to Select an Attorney - Tip #5

Get Specific

When interviewing a lawyer, you might hear about how the firm cares for clients or how the firm provides exceptional legal services. Whenever you hear the lawyer speak in these sorts of general terms, ask for specifics. For example, what precisely does the lawyer mean when she says the firm provides exceptional service?

You’ll want to hear things like: we focus exclusively on this area of law; we have X number of years of experience in this area; we’ve handled X number of cases in this area; the firm has the financial resources and experience to stand up against big businesses or insurance companies; we have a solid record of success that includes these specific cases and results; and we have a skilled and experienced support-staff that includes paralegals and investigators.

Ask the lawyer to tell you about a case that she handled that she is particularly proud of. What were the challenges and obstacles? How did the lawyer overcome these? How did the judge and jury react? How did she negotiate the settlement?

Lawyers with a true passion for the profession and a solid track record of achievement will welcome the opportunity to tell you war stories. In fact, you may have a hard time getting them to stop. Lawyers who are pretenders will try to change the subject and will keep things vague.

Get specific and the truth will out.