Donald K. Nix - Attorney At Law - How to select an Attorney

Info@DonNix.com

Services offered in Tarrant County, Texas

I try to remember to ask every new client how he or she got my name. Some common answers are:

"I just picked you out of the yellow pages."
"I liked your web page."
"I called the BAR referral service."
"My employee’s assistance program gave me your name."
"You are my employer's lawyer."
"You sued me years ago."
"You represented my husband's ex-wife in their divorce and he said you did a better job for her than his lawyer did for him."

Those responses and others make it clear to me that most people have no idea how to select an attorney. I want to share my opinion of how I would pick a lawyer if I needed one, so below is a short five step list designed to help you select an attorney.

Step 1 The first thing that comes to mind is how I would NOT pick one. Anyone can buy a big ad in the yellow pages or a television commercial. When I graduated from law school, lawyers were not allowed to advertise. The U.S. Supreme Court changed all that, and things have never been the same. Just like television exposure can turn a nobody into a celebrity, spending a lot of money can get a lawyer’s name before the public. There are scores of pages in the yellow pages devoted to attorneys. Some attorneys have several full page listings. It means very little except that they paid for the ads. An argument can be made that the lawyer who survives without a big ad must be doing something right.

Step 2 Secondly, I would generally avoid inexperience. Although physicians have to intern a few years, once licensed, attorneys are pretty much allowed to "practice law." Perhaps a new lawyer would be sufficient to represent you in traffic court or to write a letter to your creditors, but it takes years of experience to know not only what can be done but what should be done. Follow up by asking what experience the lawyer has in the area of your particular legal problem.

Step 3 I would ask if the lawyer has been here a long time or has recently moved into town, possibly running from a problem. Moving here is understandable, but if he is in his third city and fourth firm in six years, be careful! All lawyers make enemies due to the nature of the job. To make a living in the same location for a long time implies that at least some of the clients were pleased with their representation. Also, an attorney that has been in the same area for many years gets acquainted with most of the judges and other lawyers. This can be an advantage at times, especially when the attorney is well respected.

Step 1 Do not automatically pick the biggest law firm. Money is generally a consideration. If you are considering a huge law firm with swank offices in a high rise office tower with antiques in the reception area, do not expect the lawyer to charge you bargain basement rates. That kind of overhead costs a lot, and you better have a case that justifies the fees that the firm charges. On the other hand, the lawyers that command high fees are often very good. Another problem with big firms is that your case may not get the personal attention of the lawyer you met in the interview. It may get delegated to a less experienced lawyer.

Step 1 The best way to pick an attorney is to get a referral from someone else who has known the lawyer for a long time, is familiar with his areas of practice, has personally employed the attorney, and was pleased with the services rendered. Make an appointment to discuss your case. Ask questions. If you feel the attorney is competent, feel you are comfortable communicating with him, like the way he says that he will handle your case, then ask about fees and costs.

	The first thing that comes to mind is how I would NOT pick one. Anyone can buy a big ad in the yellow pages or a television commercial. When I graduated from law school, lawyers were not allowed to advertise. The U.S. Supreme Court changed all that, and things have never been the same. Just like television exposure can turn a nobody into a celebrity, spending a lot of money can get a lawyer’s name before the public. There are scores of pages in the yellow pages devoted to attorneys. Some attorneys have several full page listings. It means very little except that they paid for the ads. An argument can be made that the lawyer who survives without a big ad must be doing something right.
	Secondly, I would generally avoid inexperience. Although physicians have to intern a few years, once licensed, attorneys are pretty much allowed to "practice law." Perhaps a new lawyer would be sufficient to represent you in traffic court or to write a letter to your creditors, but it takes years of experience to know not only what can be done but what should be done. Follow up by asking what experience the lawyer has in the area of your particular legal problem.
	I would ask if the lawyer has been here a long time or has recently moved into town, possibly running from a problem. Moving here is understandable, but if he is in his third city and fourth firm in six years, be careful! All lawyers make enemies due to the nature of the job. To make a living in the same location for a long time implies that at least some of the clients were pleased with their representation. Also, an attorney that has been in the same area for many years gets acquainted with most of the judges and other lawyers. This can be an advantage at times, especially when the attorney is well respected.
	Do not automatically pick the biggest law firm. Money is generally a consideration. If you are considering a huge law firm with swank offices in a high rise office tower with antiques in the reception area, do not expect the lawyer to charge you bargain basement rates. That kind of overhead costs a lot, and you better have a case that justifies the fees that the firm charges. On the other hand, the lawyers that command high fees are often very good. Another problem with big firms is that your case may not get the personal attention of the lawyer you met in the interview. It may get delegated to a less experienced lawyer.
	The best way to pick an attorney is to get a referral from someone else who has known the lawyer for a long time, is familiar with his areas of practice, has personally employed the attorney, and was pleased with the services rendered. Make an appointment to discuss your case. Ask questions. If you feel the attorney is competent, feel you are comfortable communicating with him, like the way he says that he will handle your case, then ask about fees and costs.