Masonry Magazine April 2003 Page. 52
Legal Advice
Selecting, Hiring and Dealing
with Your Attorney
▼By Warren Lutz, Esq.
Washington, D.C.
I don't read much Shakespeare. As a lawyer, however, I am continually reminded that in Henry VI Shakespeare wrote, "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers." So far, I have managed to avoid death-in part because my clients at least believe that they took prudent steps to select an attorney appropriate for their specific need. This article discusses several considerations regarding how to select and work with your lawyer.
It is rare to find an attorney who is truly a jack-of-all trades. Most lawyers have extensive experience in several areas of the law, and little, if any experience in others. For example, I have never handled a criminal defense, a bankruptcy or an adoption, and do not consider myself to be a good candidate to represent a client in such matters. I raise this because the substantive experience of an attorney should be a major factor in a client's selection process. Also important are issues of trust, cost and your overall confidence that the person you have selected can advise you competently and achieve the best possible outcome on your behalf.
How then to go about finding such a person? Many turn to the yellow pages to find their attorney. I suggest that this is not the best means to locate your lawyer except to find names and telephone numbers. Flashy ads with bold pronouncements that "Attorney Jones Fights For Justice," are eye-catching, but seldom evidence the lawyer's experience or reflect the trust you should rely upon in making your decision.
Instead, I urge people to start by making inquiries of friends, business associates and those they respect in the community. Ask what attorney has a good reputation handling your type of matter. And again, an attorney who successfully defends persons charged with DUI may not be the best to prepare a complex lease or defend your company in construction arbitration. In short, word-of-mouth is an important starting point.
Once you obtain some recommendations, do some research on each lawyer. Most attorneys and law firms now have websites, where you can generally find background information on the attorney's education, specialization, publications, awards, etc. Similar information is available in publications by Martindale & Hubble, which also has a website (www.mar-