Picking a lawyer is challenging. There are all kinds of objective criteria like years of experience, law school, specialized focus, etc. It’s hard for anyone to determine the significance each factor in deciding who to hire. It’s tough.
Lots of folks will tell you to go with the recommendations of friends and family who have hired counsel in the past. That’s good advice.
Some people will tell you to ask other lawyers since they’re had a chance to observe your lawyer at work. That’s good advice as well.
The reality is that everything everyone suggests about hiring a lawyer makes sense. It’s all good advice. The problem is that there’s way to much good advice. It’s overwhelming.
What’s a person to do?
I think it makes sense for you to interview several lawyers. Ask questions about experience, philosophy and background. Talk to your friends and family and see what they know about your prospective attorneys. Talk to any attorney friends you have and find out the behind the scenes scoop on each of the attorneys.
Then, once you’ve gathered all of the pertinent information, sit back and relax. Think about your time with each lawyer, reflect on all of the information you’ve gathered, and listen to your gut.
Follow Your Instinct
What does your stomach tell you about doing the right thing? Are you more comfortable with one lawyer over another? Is there a nagging feeling that you should pick one rather than the other. Is something telling you that hiring one of them would be a mistake?
Let your gut tell you what to do after you’ve done your due diligence. You already know the answer. Just listen for it.
I can’t tell you how many people come to us, late in the case, and tell us they wish they had found us first. They tell us that they knew they were making a bad choice but they did it for some reason that made sense at the time. They ignored that nagging feeling. They ignored their gut.
Don’t let that happen to you. Do what you know is right. Listen to your gut when you pick your lawyer.
