Most people who need a lawyer tend to rely
on word of mouth recommendations from
friends,
family, and business associates. Unfortunately,
no one has yet devised an objective
rating
system that takes into account:
- A lawyer's knowledge and skill in a particular
branch of law
- His success rate at trial and in negotiations
- His degree of honesty and integrity
- The cost of his services
- The overall satisfaction of his clients
Though it will be a laborious and probably
inconclusive process, it may be worth your
while to investigate whether a lawyer you
are considering has any marks against his
record. For example, clients may have filed
formal complaints, or the state bar association
or the courts themselves may have imposed
disciplinary actions.
Unfortunately such information on possible
malfeasance is not easy to obtain,
and you
may have to inquire in multiple places,
such
as:
- the state bar association (remember that
bar associations also are trade groups representing
the interests of their members; in this regard,
their duties to their members and to the
public may come into conflict with each other)
- the state attorney general's office
- the state consumer protection bureau
- the local Better Business Bureau
Moreover, remember that the mere existence
of a charge or a complaint, unless upheld
by the courts or a disciplinary body, does
not mean that wrongdoing occurred. Furthermore,
possessing a "clean" record says
nothing about how skilled the lawyer is.
If you are seeking a lawyer to represent
you in court or in negotiations, be
skeptical
about his own representations about
his record
unless you can obtain independent,
outside
verification. Also remember that the
law
is complex, with many branches. Depending
on what you want done, it may be advisable
to seek out a lawyer who specializes
in that
aspect of the law. |
|
