Choosing a lawyer is not always easy, and in fact can be daunting. Whether you find an attorney from an advertisement, online searches, or through a referral from a friend or colleague, you still need to decide whether the lawyer you are considering is right for your case. Yet, choosing the right attorney to handle your legal matters couldn’t be more vital to achieving a successful outcome.
To assist you in choosing the right attorney, we have compiled a list of some important characteristics that you should expect to find in a good lawyer.
1. A Good Lawyer Asks The Right Questions.
A good lawyer is fully committed to understanding not just the facts of the case, but the client’s goals and the particular timing of the client’s problems. The attorney will then provide strategies and potential solutions that specifically match the client’s request and goals.
2. A Good Lawyer Is A Great Listener.
It may seem obvious, but not all attorneys are great listeners. A good attorney will listen very carefully to the client’s needs, respond in a timely manner, set clear and realistic expectations, and deliver on those promises.
3. A Good Lawyer Is Proactive.
A good lawyer should have a proven track record of bringing potential issues and opportunities to clients’ attention early and often.
4. A Good Lawyer Sets the Right Expectations.
A good lawyer clearly explains what he or she will do for the client and is transparent about how he or she will communicate with the client throughout the case. A good lawyer fully explains the risks and costs with the client, and fully discloses the concerns relating to the client’s case—instead of merely painting a rosy picture or telling the client what the client wants to hear.
5. A Good Lawyer Provides High Quality Work.
A good lawyer is detail-oriented, thorough, and responsive. Further, he or she should have extensive experience in the particular area of law for which you require their services. While general practitioners are typically good at handling basic transactions or other non-complex legal matters, engaging an attorney with practical and verifiable experience in a given field is a better option when you need specialized skills.
6. A Good Lawyer Follows Industry Trends.
A good lawyer keeps up with the latest industry trends, which affect his or her clients. Clients should be able to depend on their attorney to fully understand the current state of their particular industry, in order to stay ahead of the curve. A good lawyer works hard to become a trusted advisor who is aware of all the issues facing each client.
7. A Good Lawyer Understands Budgetary Parameters.
A good lawyer relates to the budgetary pressures and constraints that every client faces. Keeping client budget limitations in mind, a good lawyer will develop effective strategies to best handle the client’s case.