Good Lawyers – How to Choose the Best for Any Case If you are about to hire an attorney, there are a few things you can do to help yourself make an intelligent decision and choose a good attorney. Choosing a good attorney can make a big difference in a case where the legal issues are complex or where the case has the potential to go on for a long time. A good attorney will know the ins and outs of the law that will help speed up your case and give you the best chance of a positive outcome. The first factor to consider when choosing a lawyer is the type of case they have expertise and experience in. Many people mistakenly assume that any lawyer knows all kinds of legal cases and can handle any type of case. The truth is that lawyers are very similar to doctors in that they specialize in certain types of cases. While some may have general practice and be able to handle a wide range of legal matters, many of the best lawyers specialize in one or two specific areas of law and become very familiar with these areas. This is generally the type of attorney you want for your case, because experience in handling cases similar to yours is one of the most important factors in choosing an attorney. As the saying goes, there is no substitute for experience. The second factor to consider is whether this attorney has a disciplinary history. Most states have a lawyer’s handbook and a disciplinary history that can be shown to the public for their lawyers. You can usually find it on the state Supreme Court’s website. This will show you if there are any major issues in the former attorney’s behavior with clients that warrant discipline. Depending on the nature of the problem, you may want to consider another attorney. Finally, if possible, you should try to talk to previous clients to find out what their experience with this attorney has been like. Although every client has the privilege of a client attorney and the attorney may not have anyone’s permission to use it as a reference, it’s still worth asking. Be sure to ask questions such as how quickly phone calls and emails are answered, whether the attorney has made a strong effort to get the matter resolved quickly, and whether the outcome the attorney got is favorable. If you keep these tips in mind when looking for a lawyer, you should have a good chance of finding one who will not disappoint you.