What is the best way to check a lawyers qualifications? -

Aside from checking the respective bar associations for a lawyer s current standing, what other options are available to consumers to check out a lawyer s qualifications? Where can I review any published court documents, trial transcripts to get a feel for the attorney s overall competence and court room style? Would the best way to REALLY get to know an attorney s work be to review his past cases? But where can I find those?

It probably wouldn t be worthwhile to look at past cases...there are too many factors in any one case to really get a feel for whether he did a good job. You could ask him what his success rate is...I don t know if practicing attorneys keep track. If they do, careful where he gets the numbers. A good way to tell how good he is is to see what types of cases he s handled. Usually bad attorneys take bad cases....they put food on the table, often by settling out of court--called quot;nuisance value.quot; In the end--just go with your gut. Is he down to earth? Likeable? Explain things well? Return your calls? That s what shows he s good at his job.....same as any other job, really.

Checking with the bar association is a very good start, as they would have the quot;scoopquot; as to the lawyer s standing. You could also speak to other lawyers, paralegals, etc. especially in the firm of the lawyer in question or lawyers who practice the same type of law. You can also observe him/her in action at the courthouse, and/or check out his/her website. if all else fails, set up a meeting with him/her. Some (if not most) lawyers will give a free initial consultation and you can discuss these things at that time.

just like the other sites that are out their. http://www.lawyers.com Http://www.dentists.com or http://www.doctors.com