Choosing a good lawyer is often the difference between winning and losing a legal case
When you multiply thousands of lawyers in every state by nearly 865,000 lawyers currently practicing nationwide, it can feel impossible to find the right one. And most people don’t hire lawyers often… so when they need one, it’s difficult to know what separates greatness from average.
Luckily:
By knowing which credentials to look for, anyone can identify lawyers who will get results.
Whether you’re dealing with an employee wrongful termination, personal injury or complex business litigation. These tips will help you weed out the bad ones and find an attorney who can actually win your case.
What you’re going to learn:
- Legal Industry Recognition Is Extremely Important
- What Credentials Matter When Hiring a Lawyer
- How To Fact-Check Any Lawyer’s Credentials
- 3 Types of Lawyers You Might Need
Legal Industry Recognition Is Extremely Important
Industry recognition is extremely important. When searching for a qualified lawyer to represent you, legal industry recognition is one of the best places to start.
Why?
Legal industry recognition from reputable third-party organizations means someone other than the lawyer is saying this person is great. Meaning their peers think highly of them and their work.
It’s not like the lawyer can just claim to be the “best personal injury attorney in America”. Credentials that matter are awarded by organizations like the American Bar Association, your state’s trial lawyer’s association or civil litigation association.
Reputable law awards for legal professionals are given to attorneys who pass a stringent application process. One that typically includes peer reviews, surveys, and an analysis of their experience and case results.
Think of lawyer reviews and awards the same way you would a Michelin star restaurant. Only the best make the cut.
And according to a recent survey, 70% of consumers research multiple platforms when vetting law firms and attorneys. Reputation along with accreditations and awards were listed as deciding factors.
Don’t forget: If an attorney has accreditation from a well known organization or has won awards… those badges are only there because they’ve been proven to deserve them.
What Credentials Matter When Hiring a Lawyer
Sure, some credentials look good on paper. But do they actually mean anything?
Lawyer credentials can be broken into a few different categories. Here’s what you should look for:
Bar Admission & Licensing
Every lawyer must be licensed in the state they practice. If they’re not… keep looking.
A lawyer’s license should be active (and current) according to their state bar’s website. Having your bar admission verified should be the first thing you do when researching attorneys.
Peer-Reviewed Ratings & Awards
These things are important.
When it comes to lawyer reviews and ratings, not all are created equal. That’s why it’s best to stick with ones that use a peer-reviewed process and methodology.
When investigating law firms or attorneys online, consider using Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell as a resource.
Super Lawyers only picks the top 5% of lawyers in each state.
They rely on peer nominations and independent research to pick who makes the list. There’s no way to buy your way onto this list.
Basically.
Lawyers who have multiple peer reviewed awards have been vetted by:
Other lawyers.
Clients.
And professional organizations. All of which validate they are a great lawyer who produces great results.
Specialises in Your Practice Area & Board Certified
Just like you shouldn’t hire a criminal lawyer to represent you in a divorce… you shouldn’t hire a general practitioner either.
Lawyers who specialise in your situation tend to have more experience…and better understand the laws involved. Plus, if they’re board certified in that practice area, even better!
Board certification isn’t offered in every state or speciality. But when it is… seek those lawyers out.
Track Record & Case Results
It’s safe to say past performance does not guarantee future results.
But it can give you an idea if the lawyer has what it takes.
Do your homework and ask the lawyer about their experience with cases similar to yours. Are they willing to explain how they’ve handled past situations?
A reputable lawyer will be transparent about their credentials. They shouldn’t get flaky when asked tough questions.
Professional Memberships
Active memberships in credible legal organizations like the ABA show the lawyer values continuing education and staying on top of their game.
You can typically view a lawyer’s memberships on their bio or “about” section of their website.
How To Fact-Check Any Lawyer’s Credentials
Searching for a lawyer online brought up 100+ results. How do you know who is legit?
Here are afew steps to get you started:
These are things you can do yourself:
- Go to the state bar website. Type in the lawyer’s name. Make sure their license is active. And read through any past disciplinary actions.
- Visit lawyer directories like Martindale-Hubbell and Super Lawyers. These sites will usually provide profiles on each attorney. Including verified ratings.
- Search online reviews. Not all reviews are legit. But good lawyers know reviews and transparency matter. Take advantage by reading Google reviews and testimonials on their website.
These things require a little leg work:
Ask the lawyer about previous cases they’ve worked on that are similar to yours. A good lawyer will be honest about their credentials. They know what makes them a great fit for your case.
3 Types of Lawyers You Might Need
Your state may have laws regulating non-lawyer law firm owners. Meaning you should familiarise yourself with the different types of lawyers and what they do.
But most people aren’t legal experts. So let’s simplify things:
Think of it like this…
A personal injury lawyer is needed when someone has been injured in an accident. Here are three common types of lawyers people find themselves searching for online.
- Personal Injury Lawyer
- Family Lawyer
- Workers Compensation Lawyer
Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injury lawyers handle cases involving injuries from accidents. Car accidents, medical negligence, wrongful deaths etc.
You want a personal injury lawyer with a history of getting large settlements and verdicts.
Family Lawyer
Family law focuses on divorce, custody, child support and more. Happiness is the goal with these cases. So while you want a qualified lawyer… empathy matters too.
Worker’s Compensation Lawyer
Got hurt on the job? You’ll need a worker’s compensation lawyer to fight for your rights. Look for someone who has experience dealing with insurance companies and knows the intricacies of worker’s comp boards.
Each of these practice areas require special expertise. Don’t settle for an attorney that doesn’t focus on your legal need. Just like you wouldn’t hire a plumber to fix your electrical wiring.
Tying It All Together
Did you know that the right lawyer is the difference between winning and losing your case?
Here’s what you should look for when hiring any lawyer:
- Verify they are licensed and in good standing with their state bar.
- Check for lawyer reviews and awards from credible sources.
- Make sure they specialise in your practice area (board certification is a bonus!)
- Look for a track record of success with cases similar to yours.
- Law society and bar association memberships.
Investing time into finding the right lawyer will pay off when you win your case.
But if you do choose to hire a lawyer, make sure they have earned their credentials!
