It doesn’t matter what legal matter you find yourself embroiled in, you can guarantee that it is quite important. Due to this, it is imperative that you are well-represented every step of the way. However, considering just how many lawyers are out there, it can often be difficult to discern the good from the bad. 

So, just how are you expected to do this? Well, fortunately, there are a couple of elements that you can look out for when hiring an attorney. This should give you some idea of whether your pick is a good one or if you need to move on immediately. Let’s get started…

A Bad Lawyer vs. a Bad Fit 

Before going any further, you need to understand the difference between a bad lawyer and an attorney who is a poor fit for you. Bad lawyers are those who fail you as a legal expert and who can be classified as terrible practitioners of the law. 

Attorneys who are a bad fit for you can often seem like they are bad lawyers. However, their actual skills, experience, and expertise are up to scratch. It is simply that they have a demeanour or strategy that isn’t suitable for you. 

At the end of the day, though, a lawyer who doesn’t fit your needs well may not serve you any better than a bad lawyer. Thus, it is vital to always find someone who is compatible with your expectations. 

Do They Have the Right Kind of Experience?

When it comes to most professions, experience matters. Nonetheless, this is especially true in the case of lawyers. The right experience can teach attorneys a great many things. To begin with, it can show them how to conduct themselves properly in court and how to appeal to a jury. 

At the same time, it can impart how to navigate the legal world, including figuring out loopholes and how to deal with other lawyers. All in all, snagging yourself an attorney with experience will certainly work in your favour. Thus, this is one way to determine if you have a good lawyer on your hands or not. 

How Approachable Are They?

Many attorneys may have a reputation for being “sharks” in the courtroom or being incredibly intimidating. Now, this may work in front of a jury or with other lawyers. However, such behaviour will not fly with you. 

This is why you should always take a moment to analyse the kind of relationship you have with your attorney. Are you able to approach them with any concerns or questions that you may have? Or, do you find yourself dreading every interaction with them? If it is the latter, then you may want to re-think your choice of attorney. 

What Is Their Educational Background Like?

Now, it isn’t always fair to judge your lawyer by the school that they went to. Nevertheless, it can be telling. Traditionally, attorneys who were able to get into and graduate from good law schools usually have the chops to represent you without any problems. 

If your lawyer didn’t go to one of the top-ranked schools, you should assess whether they passed a particularly tough examination process such as the California bar exam. This will prove to you that they are capable of putting in the hard work as the California bar review is no joke! If it is possible, you may also want to check whether your attorney was able to pass their exam on the first try. 

Do They Provide Realistic Scenarios?

You may want your lawyer to tell you, without a doubt, that they will win your case for you. After all, this is exactly what you are paying them for. In reality, though, this isn’t something that your attorney can completely guarantee you. This, of course, is because certain elements of the case – and the outcome – are out of their control. 

A good lawyer will promise to do their best. At the same time, they will outline the most likely scenario and walk you through why a particular outcome is probable. A bad lawyer, on the other hand, will build up your expectations considerably. Despite this, there will not have much intention with following through on all of these promises. 

Have They Set Out Clear Billing Practices?

The reason that most people are hesitant to hire a lawyer is because they are afraid of how much their services are going to cost them. In fact, it is a standing joke regarding how expensive attorneys are. The truth, though, is that not all lawyers have to be a luxury. 

In the end, it all comes down to specific billing practices. There are many attorneys who are vague about how they are going to bill their clients – stay away from these at all costs. Instead, go with a lawyer who clearly outlines who you will be charged for their services. 

Another common tactic is where some attorneys may pad the bill. This means that they will charge you random or unrelated activities and claim that these were necessary to your case. To avoid this, make sure that your lawyer breaks down each and every charge so that you can determine how relevant it is to you. 

Always check the billing practices of your potential lawyer ahead of time. This will give you a better idea of how they do business. Not to mention, you can also avoid individuals who appear to just want to make a quick buck off of you. 

As you can see, there are a number of things that separate a good attorney from a bad one. Of course, now that you are aware of what these are, your job is made a great deal easier. You have the tools to come to your own decision about whether a particular lawyer is a suitable one or not. As a result, you will find it a great deal easier to make hiring decisions in the future. Thus, you should keep each and every guideline here in mind whenever you wish to procure a lawyer.