The Top Six Questions to Ask Yourself When Hiring a Lawyer

The decision to hire an attorney—and ultimately, the one you choose to hire—will be one of the most important decisions you will make in your handling of a legal matter. Whether you were arrested, find yourself on the cusp of a divorce or nasty custody battle, are at odds with a business partner or a company that you’ve dealt business with, or are otherwise entrenched in some type of a dispute where court involvement is likely, there are some key questions that you need to ask yourself to ensure that you hire the best attorney for you.

Do I need a lawyer?

If you have a legal matter pending or sense that one is about to make its way to you, you probably need to hire an attorney. At a minimum, you should consult with one to gain a better understanding of your situation. This is especially true in criminal cases and family law cases, and even more so if a lawsuit has already been filed or threats are being made against you. If you speak with an experienced lawyer one-on-one, it will give you the guidance you need to know whether you need to hire an attorney, and if so, to develop a clearer understanding of what the path ahead may look like.

Do I like this lawyer?

When pondering this question, it is two-fold. Do you like him or her as a person? Do your personalities mesh well? Do you enjoy talking with him or her? Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, do you like him or her as a lawyer? Does he or she strike you as the type of attorney that instills confidence and an attorney you would want to represent you and speak on your behalf? Are they competent? Do you like their communication style? Does anything about your interactions with him or her rub you the wrong way or ping you at a gut level? Does it seem like he or she would be a good advocate for you?

Does this lawyer have the experience necessary to handle this type of a case properly?

Even if you like a person/attorney, it is crucial that he or she has the experience and knowledge essential and necessary to represent your interests properly and in a competent manner. Put simply, you do not want to hire a “dabbler,” which is how lawyers often refer to other lawyers who attempt to handle (often badly) a case that they are not sufficiently experienced, knowledgeable, competent, or fit to handle. (It bears mentioning that our law firm also handles legal malpractice cases, so unfortunately, this is something we see happen a lot. Not good.)

Has this lawyer handled your type of case on a regular basis? Is the area of law you need assistance in an area listed on the lawyer’s bio? Does he or she have at least several years of experience working as a lawyer at a reputable law firm and not just on his/her own? Does he or she seem to understand the nuances associated with the type of case you have? Does the way he or she speaks about your legal matter instill confidence in you or do you feel like he or she is a “dabbler,” who doesn’t seem to know that area of law well and simply wants you to hire him/her for your case regardless of whether he/she truly seems to understand it? Imagine him or her talking to an opposing lawyer—how do you feel about them when viewed in that light? This is important to consider because that is exactly what he or she would be doing: speaking on your behalf.

Is this lawyer familiar with the courts in the county for my case?

Be sure to ask an attorney how often he or she has been before the court in the county where your legal matter will be heard. How often? Does he or she seem familiar with the judges in that county? An attorney being licensed and able to appear in any county in Indiana is one thing, but having a depth of experience in that county and being knowledgeable of the local judges is another.

Does this lawyer have a good reputation online and in the legal community?

When it comes to picking a lawyer, Google is a great place to start! Search the attorney’s name with the word “attorney” and then with the word “lawyer” and see what comes up. Does he or she have an online presence? Are there any online reviews from past clients or other attorneys? Are they positive? Are they glowing? Are there complaints about poor communication or how their past cases were handled? Does the online presence that this attorney has inspire confidence in you or does it have you thinking twice and feeling leery? Just as each of us has a paper resume for job hunting – the Google search is an attorney’s online resume. Do your homework.

Is the lawyer a part of a seasoned law firm?

Every lawyer can’t know everything. Lawyers are more effective when they have colleagues within a law firm environment to discuss cases and possible ways of addressing the issues at hand.  Internal advice and support can make all the difference. You should know how long the law firm has been in business. If a law firm is still in existence decades after it was formed, that is a good indication that its’ lawyers are treating clients well and getting reasonably good results. 

Do I think I can trust this lawyer?

Based upon all of the points of consideration you have thought through above—is this lawyer the one you would want to hire? If so, you probably should. If not, you should keep interviewing attorneys until you find one who is professional, knowledgeable, competent, and seemingly a great fit for you—and your legal matter.

As stated earlier, the attorney you choose to hire will be one of the most important—if not the most important—decisions you will make. Do your research. Ask the right questions. Observe. Listen. Hire the attorney that you would be proud to call your proxy because that’s exactly what he or she will be.

The Nice Law Firm was founded over 30 years ago. We have represented thousands of individuals and entities along the way. And we have evolved as we have grown. We now offer virtual meetings from the convenience of your home and have seven offices located throughout Indiana. Call us today at (855) 582-7900. Ask us the important questions. Look us up online. Check out our reviews from past clients.   We will be here, ready to serve, if and when you find yourself in need.

Contact us today!