You may need a lawyer for advice on a divorce or personal injury, or perhaps you are drawing up a will. People have many reasons to enlist the assistance of lawyers, but finding the right one is not always easy. Two important considerations are the lawyer’s area of expertise and how well the lawyer communicates with you.

Vet Multiple Candidates

Never immediately choose the only lawyer you know. Similarly, don’t settle for discussing your issue with only one lawyer. Try to meet with at least three candidates whether in person or via phone or email. Many lawyers offer free consultations, but there is nothing inherently “wrong” with a lawyer who does not.

Examples of legal specialties include criminal, disability, trusts and estates, family, personal injury, employment, and small business. Each field has niches and sub-specialties. For example, a disability lawyer might focus on veterans’ disability cases. A personal injury lawyer might handle mostly vehicle-related accidents, while another might focus on medical malpractice cases.

Your options to find lawyers include online searches, bar associations, legal aid clinics, and lawyer directories. Directories often give rundowns of lawyers’ geographical area served, specialization, and other essentials. They are great starting places.

Additional options include referrals from friends, family, and co-workers. Do keep in mind that each legal situation is unique. Your friend’s case may be similar to yours, but the differences could mean a different lawyer is better suited to your situation. It really is critical to meet with multiple lawyers before you make a decision.

Some employers offer prepaid legal services plans. Before you sign up for such a plan, ensure you understand what exactly it does and does not cover. Find out if you’re expected to make out-of-pocket payments.

When evaluating candidates no matter how you find them, look at their websites. Read their online reviews.

Ask Questions During Consultations

When you talk with candidates, ask at least a few questions to ensure a good fit. Questions to broach include the following.

• What areas do you specialize in? This question ensures your lawyer has the expertise and skills necessary for your unique circumstances.
• How many cases similar to mine have you worked on? You get an idea of how deep the lawyer’s well of cases like yours is.
• What timeline and possible outcomes do you predict for my case? Beware of lawyers who promise huge, quick payouts.
• What are your fees and costs? Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. They collect a percentage of any settlement or trial win you receive. Regardless of your case type, always clarify fees and expenses. Any contract you sign needs to have them spelled out. Often, you can get reduced billing if paralegals work on your case.
• How would you communicate with me about the case? You want an answer that ensures you’re kept in the loop regularly. For example, a lawyer might say her paralegal would touch base a minimum of once a week.

Ask each lawyer the same set of questions if possible. This is not always feasible because you may think of a new question or two after interviewing your first couple of candidates.

Additional issues to ask about include the lawyer’s approach to winning cases, any alternatives for solving your legal issue, and who the lawyer’s typical client is.

Review Your Impressions

Take time after each meeting, phone call, or email to note your impressions. Did you and the lawyer understand each other well? Were you happy with the lawyer’s communication style and points?

Watch for Red Flags

Attorney red flags include guarantees of giving your case the lawyer’s full time and attention, a promised outcome, vagueness about billing practices, and a lack of communication. For example, attorneys should never promise you will be found not guilty or that you will get full custody of your children.

It is not a red flag if lawyers decline to share specific details about previous cases. In fact, that is a good sign a lawyer respects clients’ privacy. However, lawyers should be happy to discuss their cases in broad detail. It is a red flag when a lawyer is tight-lipped and has no client testimonials to share.

Contact the Lawyer You Choose

Get in touch with the lawyer you have chosen. Don’t delay unnecessarily because lawyer caseloads can change. The lawyer who had enough time previously to take your case might not two weeks later.

If you are having a hard time deciding, it could be that you need to speak with more candidates. Perhaps you’ve not found the right match yet. Identify what’s troubling you.

The right lawyer for your neighbor might not be the right lawyer for you. Billing, area of specialty, and the unique details of each case make a big difference. Ask questions and meet multiple candidates before you choose an attorney.