How To Find A Good Attorney

I strongly suggest tapping into your network to find the best professional (and personal for that matter) resources. Turn to people you know, trust, and respect. They won't steer you wrong! That's how I found my patent attorney.

I speak from recent experience, I asked my CPA for a referral. Subsequently we have hired the attorney to represent us for that specific issue.

There is a lot of pomp and circumstance in small business confrontations. He said and she said and the bottom line is that neither of you want to go to court. My idea that worked one very important time when my attorney partnered with another attorney that had the same name as I do, Goldstein.

Did the other party really think that the attorney that I copied on was a family member, brother, or father? I think so, because more than not wanting to go to court, nobody wants to pay a lawyer.

From my experience, I have hired an attorney for the following reasons:

I knew him and I thought he was eager to help me.
He went to Yale (Harvard Law)
He represented other people in my industry who I personally knew.
He "guaranteed" his work.
His fee was reasonable (3% of what he negotiated).

Bottom Line: Find a hungry, young lawyer who won't delegate the work.

As the wife of a tax/estate planning attorney in Beverly Hills, CA (www.estateplanningforyou.com) I know it is important to get a personal referral to the kind of attorney you need. It's also important to not just get someone who says "this is a good person" but to get someone who says "I've worked with this attorney on the same type of situation as you have and found him/her very helpful." And ask if the recommended attorney gives a complimentary first meeting to see if there's a good fit.

I'm not a lawyer, but I slept with one for 19 years! My ex-wife is a lawyer and the only thing we've communicated about in the past 7 years is my request for her referral to an attorney. But beyond a referral from someone you respect, my best advice is to find an attorney who #1, specializes in business issues, and #2 is successful at running their own small business. I only work with attorneys who are solo or part of their own small practice. They know what I need!

We've found excellent, affordable e-commerce and trademark attorneys by adding "flat rate" to our initial Google search. In both instances, we wound up with attorneys who are committed to working with start-ups in this non-standard way to keep rates affordable -- and to ensure that newbie biz owners don't forego proper legal protection because they can't afford it. An added bonus, you get esquires with their hearts in the right place! Feel free to email, if you want to know who they are!

Everyone knows to ask for referrals when looking for an attorney, and you should make sure you interview more than one in the process. Definitely look for technical competence, since that is a bare minimum. But almost as important is finding someone with whom you have a personality match. This person could become a very important element in your life and business, and you need to be able to communicate well with each other and work together well. It's like hiring an employee - look for a match.

It's important to anticipate that you may eventually need a good lawyer. I do a lot of networking in my community and I know that wherever small business owners gather, lawyers gather--because many of them are small business owners too. Networking functions give me a chance to talk to different lawyers (and others) and ask for referrals and references in a relaxed conversational way. I know exactly who I will call in a given situation, and it won't be a panic driven decision.

By asking your connections for a referral of who they use or recommend you know you're getting a quality person. I’d also suggest going to your local Chamber of Commerce - they usually have at least one. You can also turn to your local SBDC (small business development center) a place usually funded by a University or government entity. They provide support in starting and operating a business and have some great resources available to find the exact resource you're looking for.

I am a member of several social/professional networking groups and don't know what I would do without them. I find it is the new 411 when it comes to referrals for attorneys, accountants, publishers, 'how to's', 'where to's', etc. Having the referral come from people that I respect and have confidence in takes a big piece out of the vetting process. Plus, I always get back several referrals when I post my query which is a big help. Social networking is the Roladex of the 21st century.

Finding a great lawyer starts with knowing what type of lawyer you need. Then, you simply call your prepaid law organization and ask them to refer you to a lawyer in your area.

I have been using this a prepaid legal service for almost two years and absolutely get my money's worth out of it. I don't promote it as a business, but I sure use it FOR my business all year long. Try it...you'll wonder why it took you so long to use this service.

Where has the Lawyer been, who do they keep company with? Are they Yankee fans or Astro fans? Top Line consideration, are they a "take no prisoners " hungry, smart and ready to do all that it takes?

If so, hire them, negotiate the fees and let them go do business!

Google built a juggernaut by providing reliable information, and local business listing, such as a lawyer, are no different. Search for a lawyer in your city and see what sort of results come up in Google. Chances are, good lawyers will be near the top of the search results. Even better, you get customer reviews as an added bonus, so you know what you are getting into before you even contact the law firm. It's a great way to find the right attorney.

Part of starting up your start-up is building a team of trustworthy advisors and resources BEFORE YOU NEED THEM. You can't build a trusting relationship overnight and you definitely can't afford to settle for a last-minute lawyer. A great attorney is someone who, in addition to knowing the law, understands and respects your business; can be honest about your options; can explain the law so you understand; but most importantly, the best laywer for you is one who shares your guiding principles.

This is an easy one...I use SecureNet, one of the plans I market, that offers a Legal Plan where you can get free consultations with lawyers, a free simple will, and great discounts on their attorney fees just to name a few benefits. Yes, this is a shameless plug...click on the link to learn more!

In my case, I lucked out since my husband's business partner is a lawyer! So, I guess I'd say "marry someone whose business partner is a lawyer." Not terribly practical for everyone, but that's how it worked out in my situation.

This is the advantage of belonging to an organization like the NJ Assoc of Women Business Owners. We have many women lawyers in our ranks and they are top notch. They understand the issues women business owners face and they offer excellent advice and services, many times for a substantial discount. If you belong to an organization, start there first. More than likely you won't be disappointed.

The best way to find a good lawyer, or anyone else, is to ask someone you trust for a recommendation. If that doesn't work, then use your social networks.

Excluding specialty lawyers (e.g. patent attorney) for a moment, the best lawyer for your business will be the one who understands your business, the reach of your business (local, inter-state, international), and you!
For that reason, tap 3 resources to find the right match a)Other professionals serving your business like your accountant b)Family and friends who truly understand you c)Professional social media networking that matches "the reach" of your business. Combine:3 times the charm!

Most small business owners have no clue how to deal with lawyers, so I'm going to use this as a "stump" for my hubby's business, Manage Your Lawyer. It's a seminar aimed at helping business people become smart legal consumers. I've actually taken the seminar and it opened my eyes a great deal (and I've been married to an attorney for over a decade!) Personally, I think you have to be careful when hiring an attorney. Do your homework, interview them and be skeptical. Don't assume anything.

Before I hire any attorney for my business,I make sure that we are a good "fit."Believe it or not,personality mesh or clash plays a big role in whether or not you get the full attention you deserve.They also need to be the right choice for what you are trying to achieve i.e. don't hire a divorce lawyer to help create legal docs for your business.

To recover your Debts, ensure lawyers licensed in a particular state are permitted to represent you. Lawyers of other states can not represent you in the state of the client you are engaging in litigation.

Avoid per hour Fee, strike a deal to share a percentage of recovery. This could be anything between 10% to 25%. Make upfront payment of about 5% of the total debt adjustable on win else is forfeited when case is lost. A good competent lawyer will accept it.

Tip- Avoid litigations.

I am sure that there are some very creative ways to find an attorney for your business, but I have always preferred to use an attorney based on a personal referral. Locating an attorney based upon a web search may not get the quality that you really need in an attorney. Now, there may not always be a good referral available, especially if it is a specialty type of attorney you need, but keep in mind that the wrong one can cost you a great deal of time and money!

I have found several fantastic attorneys by asking trusted friends for referrals, but ONLY for attorneys they have personally used, like, and trust. Please note the words "trusted" and "trust"... Unfortunately, I have also received referrals to attorneys whose ethics ended up being just as poor as those of the untrustworthy person who gave me the referral. BTW, I have found the same with accountants! Ask an honest person for a referral to an accountant, and you'll find an honest accountant!

Seek out advisory board members who have had entrepreneurial or small company experience. They can recommend smart, less expensive attorneys. Or larger firms often have probono resources or cuts for smaller companies. The most important element is that you have a champion in the firm who believes in your company. They'll work harder for you, and do all they can to help.

If you legally don't need or have an advisory board, create one anyway. It's helpful to have people who support your vision.

I am part of a networking group that regularly meets and engages in masterminding problems for members. One of the group members is a lawyer. He has impressed me many times during masterminds with great advice and good ideas and suggestions. Based on my experience I would hire him immediately if my business needed his professional services. I recommend joining networking meetings and taking the opportunity to meet business lawyers that attend.

I have always found it very useful to go to the courthouse and sit in on some actual hearing and cases! Watching lawyer in action will give you a good idea as to how lawyers or firms for that matter tend to their clients issues. But the biggest eye opener is that you end up with a better understanding of law and potential challenges you may face.

Finding an honest, reputable legal services is difficult because most of use have little experience hiring a lawyer. We don't really know what to look for.

Ask those you know and trust for personal recommendations. If possible, ask those in your field of work so that you can find one that specializes in what you need.

Next, contact a local law school. I got a great recommendation for a friend by speaking to the dean of a law school in my area.

Okay. Agreed. This method may be a little unorthodox, but if you truly want to find a good attorney, try locating one that's in the limelight or in the media. Start with an Internet search in the expertise you need. Want a contract or real estate attorney? Check out who's winning many of the big contract dispute or real estate cases. If the law firm isn't local, they can identify a counterpart in your neighborhood. Those that are making news are usually pretty good at what they do!

Hey don't knock it. I've found all sorts of professionals on Twitter, Facebook and Craigslist. Why not an attorney? Even better, do some looking on LinkedIn. What better place to find one than through a connection? It's better than letting your fingers do the walking (the old-fashioned way) and picking one with the biggest ad!

Finding out how many cases a lawyer wins and loses can help a great deal when deciding on an attorney. You want a good lawyer, one that has an excellent track record in winning cases or resolving disputes that may develop based on your particular business, products and services.

Interview attorneys and inquire about their record. And just don't take their word for it. Contact their state judicial offices, courthouses, American Bar Assocation, etc., as part of your own due diligence.

Do not go it alone! Choosing a lawyer or any other SERVICE person in your life requires paying attention to how you feel when you meet them, how they answer your questions, how they respond to your concerns. Ask for referrals from people you trust, respect and have had successful relationships with lawyers. Build a team to help you for an event that requires having a lawyer - an accountant, a tax expert, anyone who can give you, the entrepreneur, a platform of safety and professionalism.

I am an attorney, but I occasionally need one. I make note anytime a business person tells me about a great experience with an attorney without my asking. If I later have a similar need, I contact that person and pay for an hour to see what advice is provided. If I like it, I hire them. This has worked very well for me.

For preventative legal questions, Pre-paid legal rocks! They claimed unlimited access to niche attorneys in nearly any area I could imagine. So during the 30 day trial period I made a list of questions: copyright, corporate, small business liability... Then I made almost a call a day for a month! I could hardly believe it worked! Now I have access to as many phone consults as I want each month for less than a tank of gas!

In order to snag yourself the appropriate legal representation, you need to use a one-two punch. The first thing that you should do is ask around your inner circle for the lawyers that they are using. Use your network to its fullest here. One you find a few names, develop a deeply-probing set of questions to have the candidate answer. The best match wins. If they won't play along at all, then you know you need to go elsewhere. They have to match your business model.

Some entrepreneurs don't realize there's a wealth of legal help in their local bar association. Through the website, you'll dig up a goldmine of legal resources like referral services, discounts, insurance, and Pro Bone outreach. They charge a nominal fee for membership and its benefits.

Well lets start with the obvious. Each State has the "Bar Association" great resource to start. Then with a series of questions relevant to your business ask them the questions. I look for integrity, longivity and even look at their resume or bio. Then discuss financial requirements prior to engaging into any kind of agreement for their services. Personalities must also fit somewhat since you should plan for a long term committment. As you grow, legal council already knows you and the business

If just starting a small business, there is probably no need for a lawyer because most of the tasks involved are simple. After a business is up and running, situations might occur that require a lawyer's expertise.
In this case, I would start my search for a business lawyer by contacting SBA or Small Business Center for recommendations. Lawyers are expensive so you want to be sure you find one that best suits your needs.

"Great" is usally defined by how often they "win" for their client.

Once I had a list of recommendations, I would ask recommended attorneys for specific cases that are similar and specifically ask how many similar cases they had done and their track record in those cases.

From my perspective, the more successful they've been in winning a particuarly kind of case, the more likely they are to win again.

A friend of mine gave me great advice. If you know anyone who works for medical staffs or lawyers, ask them. Not only do they know who does a good job and who doesn't, but they will also give you a great opinion of what the person is like behind the scenes. This information comes in handy when you need something last minute that some people wouldn't want to help you with.

When I was building a house, I really wished I were married to a contractor. But when I was building a business, I was really happy to be married to a corporate lawyer! He helped incorporate us, issue stock, etc. If this is not your situation, then you do need to be more resourceful. Ask other business owners and friends for their referrals.

Build a solid network before you need it. Interaction with a network of people positions you to find an attorney or any other professional quickly . References, web sites, resumes and even degrees can be made up. The only way to know who you are dealing with is to build relationships. Who's in your extended network? Who do they know? There is an attorney in there somewhere. Also consider joining Prepaid Legal. This is a no brainer in my opinion. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Attorneys are notorious for not answering their phone, failing to return calls, and plain old avoiding clients. Your ability to access the attorney will be at its best during your first exchange – it only gets worse from there. Establish clear methods and timeframes for communication. If the attorney is non-committal, look elsewhere.

Look for a lawyer that specializes in the area you need a lawyer in, that way it isn't a "general" lawyer but someone who knows your specific industry, or problem or is an expert in that field.

Try getting some legal advice, says author Franklin Jones, if you think talk is cheap. You'll soon find out how expensive talk can be. But, with the right attorney solving the right problem, it's worth every penny of your hard-earned money.

How to find the right lawyer? Read the local papers and find out who has solved the kind of problem you're facing. Call that lawyer and make an appointment as soon as you can.

The best way to do it is to ask somebody you know that has had a similar need. Beyond that, it's good to be aware of what's going on within your inner circle, so you're better prepared if something happens to you.

The last thing you want to do in this situation is to make a situation out of desperation.

Cost effective and sound legal representation can be a real nightmare for a small business. Having spent thousands in just a couple of years with surprise issues, turning to Prepaid Legal made sense. This is like insurance against future challenges for a fraction of the cost. From client contracts to scope of work agreements, patent protection to trademark registration, and all manner of business disputes this provides quality coverage for a lot less than many indpendent attorneys of quality.

Join and/or attend as many trade association and members-only events specific to you and your industry. For example: Are you a woman, retiree who owns a high-end pet supply store? Look for events that support retirees w/ second careers, specialty retailers, the pet supply industry and national women's organizations. There, you will be able to network with vendors & service providers who specialize in your industry or have a passion for working with, in this case, someone just like you!

LinkedIn is a professional service that has all sorts of business people connected. Once you sign up, you can search and find thousands of potential attorneys. The best part of it is that you can also see testimonials, recommendations and what other people have to say about their services and qualifications. Since this service is for professionals and business owners, many have already worked with each other. You can be sure that you'll find a top quality attorney, just link up and go!