How to Find The Best Lawyer For My Case

Personal Injury: These are cases in which someone has caused you injury or damage because they acted recklessly or wrongfully. Auto accidents, assault, battery, or injury caused by defective products fall into this category.

Family law: These are the cases that arise out of disputes with your spouse or children concerning divorce, custody, alimony, support, and domestic violence.

Workers’ Compensation: If you were injured on the job, you would pursue this type of case. California has an exclusive remedy rule that limits the circumstances under which you may sue your employer. A lawyer specializing in workers’ compensation can determine whether or not you have a claim.

Business Documents and Disputes: This type of lawyer deals with business disputes, leases, contracts, setting up businesses, patents and other similar matters. The lawyer may or may not handle litigation.

Criminal Lawyer: You’ll need this type of lawyer if you were caught breaking the law.

Small claims: In this case, you would not need a lawyer. Current California small claims actions allow you to sue for up to $10,000. Special rules apply to companies, so check the state’s website for up-to-date information.

Compile a list of 10 or so attorneys in the area where you live, at least the county or even Southern California, as an example. Write down their names and numbers, but do not start calling.

First check the State Bar of California for any disciplinary actions. You would be surprised at the number of attorneys who keep getting hired even though they have multiple claims of impropriety against them over the years. Check their names here.

Second, go to Martindale-Hubbell, an esteemed, independent rating organization for attorneys. An AV Preeminent rating means that a lawyer’s peers and members of the bar and the judiciary consider him or her to practice law with the highest level of professional excellence.

Third, check out the attorneys on Avvo, Yelp, and Super Lawyers. If they are listed in these organizations, you will see their detailed resumes and also their ratings. Avvo has a rigorous process for rating lawyers, giving those it considers the best a 10. Similarly, the designation of “Super Lawyer” indicates a lawyer is considered to have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

You can tell a lot by your initial contact with the lawyer. Were you able to reach the attorney or his or her office quickly and speak to someone about your case? Was it easy to obtain an appointment to speak with the attorney or to meet with him or her in person? It is always better to make an appointment, as both you and the lawyer can learn so much about each other in a meeting.

During the meeting, did the attorney listen to you, have great questions, and make you feel confident about your case? If not, then keep looking. After all, you are looking for the best attorney for your case. If you don’t feel that an attorney is the best, then trust your intuition.