As with any lawyer, the question is frequently asked: how to choose a “good” lawyer? Here are some reflections, quite personal, after more than ten years of this beautiful profession.
1. Word of mouth
Word of mouth is probably the most common way to choose your lawyer and can be one of the least bad. This method also has its limits. Each lawyer has a duty of competence, it is necessary to question him, on this point, on the subjects in which he exercises. He can not claim to be able to litigate in all areas. In addition, your friend may have recommended a firm and not a lawyer in particular. The lawyer who defended him five years ago may have left the cabinet that you are hearing about today. Finally, every human relationship is unique. If your brother was able to get along well with such a lawyer, this may not be the case for you, who do not have the same character, the same expectations or just the same story.
Word of mouth is therefore an interesting instrument of choice for his lawyer. Provided it is not used alone. It can not be the only criterion of choice. Specially for the work injury lawyer this is the perfect deal now.
2. The address
The quality of a lawyer is rarely (if ever) a function of the prestige of his address and the luxury of his premises. The marble staircase, the precious wood flooring, the moldings and the chimneys do not guarantee the seriousness and the competence of the lawyer who receives you. The decor of the cabinet is primarily to try to flatter the customer who is willing to pay for this decor in his notes of fees.
The lawyer who receives you may sublet may be a very small part of a luxury building. It is even possible to work at home and rent only a few hours a week a beautiful meeting room in a mansion. And if the entrance to the office is beautiful, the staff who will actually handle the files can, behind the scene, pile up in small uncomfortable rooms that the customer will never see.
On the one hand, the cabinet configuration must allow you to meet the ethical obligations of the lawyer. To be received, not in an “open space” but in a place that allows the secrecy of the exchanges is of course important. On the other hand, a lawyer who attaches importance to the comfort of work of his team is already doing a service to the firm’s clients. Beyond the floors and the walls, it is especially the equipment of the cabinet that will make the difference, on the material level. Means of communication (e-mails, faxes, etc.) documentation, accounting and billing software. All these tools are useful for efficient file processing.
3. The Bar
Should we turn to a lawyer whose firm is close to his home or the headquarters of his company? There is no definitive answer here. In reality, everything depends on the customer. If you wish to be able to be received very frequently by your lawyer without having to take the train, choose a lawyer who practices in your city, provided there is a lawyer specialized in the required field, in the said city.