How can you find out if a lawyer wants to take your case without paying a consultation fee? -

Also how can you find out enough about a lawyer to know if you want him/her to handle the case -- eg. experience in that kind of case, percent of cases won, list of cases you can look up to see how competent, etc. I want to avoid wasting time and money interviewing lawyers who are not appropriate or not interested in the case.

Speak to the attorney s paralegal. He or she can answer all of those questions. Their also not going to waste anyone s time. Their the key to everything!!!

(1) You ask the receptionist when you call the lawyer. Most plaintiffs personal injury attorneys who take cases on quot;contingencyquot; fees (i.e. you don t pay fees unless you quot;winquot;) will give you an initial consultation for free. Call the local bar association and ask for references -- they should know whether the attorney will give you a complimentary consultation. (2) About attorneys. (a) look on their website. (b) ask for client referrals (c) See if your state has a certification for different types of quot;specialists,quot; and if it does (not all states do), then see if that attorney holds that specialty. (d) Check the resource quot;Martindale-Hubblequot; -- it s a lawyer directory that will tell you about the firm. If an attorney is quot;AV ratedquot; that means that he s held in high esteem by his peers (e) Check the state bar s (or the Supreme Court... it depends upon the state) disciplinary website to see if the attorney has been disbarred or suspended (e) quot;Percent of cases wonquot; is a near impossibility, because 98% of cases settle... so quot;winningquot; may mean paying less than the Plaintiff initially demanded, or more than the Defendant initially offered. And any attorney who tells you he s never lost a case is either (i) lying or (ii) not taking hard cases. Start with your state, county, or local bar association for a referral... they ll have a list of lawyers who have signed up to take referrals for particular types of cases. It doesn t depend on advertising and isn t putting any money in anyone s pocket. Then talk to your friends or colleagues who may have used a lawyer in the past. Then do your research. Good luck! And if your claim is a little old, GET TO AN ATTORNEY FAST. Some states have very short periods between an act (like a breach of contract or an accident) and the time you have to file suit.

Just pick a random law firm and call and ask them these questions. They will tell you where to find the information. You could probably call your State Bar Association as well. Just ask the law office about consultation fee upfront when you call to make an appointment, if they do, Thank them for their time and move on. It is not personal it is business. They will be working for you. So you have a right to ask those questions. If you get a lawyer who talks at you and not with you you need to move on there as well.

Here are 3 websites. Search for an attorney local to you, most of them have a website with their bio, it you are interested you can email or call them with your issue, and if they feel that you have a case then they will make an appointment for you to come into their office and discuss the case further. Most attorneys nowadays give a free initial consultation. Good Luck............

Better yet do a search for free consultation lawyers in your state on targetlaw.com. Really good lawyer search engine.

ASK THIS LAWYER FOR HIS RECORD OR GO TO THE BETTER BOAR OF BUSINESS AND IS UP TO THE LAWYER TO TAKE YOUR CASE PROBONO