What Should I Look for in a Civil Attorney

So you find yourself in a situation in life in which you need some expert legal assistance. Perhaps you need to draft a will or discuss your estate plan, or maybe a loved one has passed away and you are involved in dealing with the Estate either through the Probate process or a more informal situation. Or maybe you find yourself involved in some sort of dispute involving land or other real property issues like easements, property boundaries, trespass, nuisance, or title issues.

Each of these situations are something that an experienced Civil Attorney can help with. But out of the many options available out there, how can you know which is best for you, your situation, and your personality. Lawyers are like wine or fried chicken. Everyone’s palate is a little different, and what feels comfortable and tasty for one client, may not work for others. I can tell you with certainty that I am certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, and just because I might have a high level of experience in your particular type of issue, you and I might not see eye to eye. The attorney-client relationship is a high level, closely knit relationship in which both the attorney and the client must rely heavily on one another and therefore must work well together.

My objective here is to give you a bird’s-eye view of what to look for in a Civil Attorney, from the perspective of one who has been in practice for 22 years. There are many fine attorneys out there who work hard to help their clients solve difficult problems. There are also a few bad apples out there whom you want to avoid. Below is a list of some factors to consider in your search for a competent, high caliber attorney to help you. With a little effort, you can use the tools below to find a good match.

1. Google Reviews

Technology has created an amazing and inclusive space in which the market allows a free exchange of information between businesses and customers/clients available to the public in the form of reviews. I find that businesses that take good care of their clients receive generally positive reviews. Obviously, the more reviews you have to look at, and the higher the rating, the more you can feel comfortable about the quality of services to expect. Of course there are always the unreasonable customers who are never satisfied when they don’t get what they want. They are easy to spot. Take the reviews as one tool in your arsenal to assist you in finding any good business.

2. Integrity

This one is a must for me. Dealing with people who are dishonest, undependable, unreasonably aggressive, or don’t do what they say they are going to do, are all red flags. This is especially true when dealing with an attorney, upon whose reputation with other attorneys, judges, and various governmental bodies is extremely important to quality representation. This quality, or lack thereof is often reflected in the Google Reviews. You can also get a sense of one’s integrity using your natural intuitive capacity. In the end, go with your gut.

3. Professionalism

The practice of law requires a certain level of professionalism. How one speaks, sits, stands, and generally carries oneself speaks volumes. You should expect your attorney to be an excellent listener and able to clearly articulate for you what your options are, what the expected costs will be associated with the representation, and generally what you ought to expect from the relationship. You should expect punctuality. Also, what does the office space look like. Is it neat and clean or is it neglected, messy, and disheveled?

4. High level of experience

How long has your attorney candidate been in practice? How much experience does he or she have with the kinds of work you are needing? You can ask these question directly during a consultation.

5. Competent Staff

How does the staff make you feel? Are your questions answered patiently and clearly? Are the options for scheduling made clear, and at times convenient for your schedule. Do staff seem unnecessarily stressed or overwhelmed or do they seem put together and like the enjoy their work? Are these people you would like to work with?

6. Trust your gut

At the end of the day, you must get along well with your attorney and his or her staff. You must not hate being around this person. If you experience one who is condescending, unable to focus, dishonest, or you just don’t feel comfortable, maybe keep looking

Our team takes pride in assisting our clients, and we are frankly careful to screen our clients closely to ensure that we can add value to your life and that we can all get along. Generally, the situations we as attorneys undertake involve complex, often highly charged emotional issues requiring a blend of diplomacy, candor, and the ability to manage an awful lot of information under very challenging circumstances. The ability to do that well is not easy, and often carries dynamics beyond the control of either the attorney or the client. We always strive to do our very best work, to keep our clients meaningfully informed, and assist you in working through whatever is needed.

Good luck in your search. Feel free and contact the office to schedule a consultation.

Matt and Team