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Finding the Right Lawyer

Ideally, you want a lawyer who respects your efforts to educate yourself and do as much as possible yourself -- and is willing to supply the further expert help and guidance you need. You want a lawyer who knows the field and has experience with the type of legal problem you face, whether it's zoning disputes, employment discrimination lawsuits, or software patents. Specialists charge more, but it can be money well spent.

Make a list of prospects. Don't expect to locate a good lawyer by simply looking in the phone book. You won't find enough information about a lawyer's skill and experience to help you make a valid judgment.

A better approach is to talk to people in your community who know about the kind of problem you're facing -- for example, if you're concerned about being sexually harassed at work, someone at a women's group might be able to recommend a lawyer. If you need a divorce lawyer, talk to friends who've been through divorce -- who were their lawyers, and what did they think of them? If you talk to half a dozen people who have had a similar legal problem, chances are you'll come away with several good leads.

If you need help with a small business matter, speak to your banker, accountant, insurance agent, or real estate broker. These people come into frequent contact with lawyers who represent business clients and are in a position to make informed judgments.

One reason we think the Nolo Lawyer Directory is such a great way to find a lawyer is because of the amount you'll know, right up front, about these attorneys. You're able to see information about different lawyers' skill, background, attitude, and experience. Even paging through the listings can help in your selection process, because it gives you a good feel for the types of attorneys that are out there -- and reminds you of the kinds of questions you should ask any attorney you may work with.

Shop around. When you get the names of several good prospects, the next step is to talk to each personally. If you outline your needs in advance, many lawyers will be willing to talk with you for a half-hour or so at no charge so that you can size them up and make an informed decision.

Ask about the lawyer's experience handling matters similar to yours. Also pay attention to the personal chemistry between you and the lawyer. No matter how experienced and well-recommended a lawyer is, if you feel uncomfortable with that person during your first meeting or two, you may never achieve a good lawyer-client relationship. Trust your instincts and seek a lawyer whose personality is compatible with your own.

Ask all prospective lawyers how you will be able to contact them and how long it will take them to return your communications.

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