The Office of Personal Injury and DWI attorneys Kelly & West has released a list of seven measures that help indicate clients have selected an effective lawyer.
Ever wonder how you will know if the attorney from whom you seek advice is good at what he or she does? We've put together a list of 7 things to look for when you're choosing an experienced attorney. Here, we've included four of those seven. The full article can be read on our website at: https://www.kelly-west.com/7-habits-highly-effective-attorney
1. The attorney is prepared for the appointments. Does the attorney act like a seasoned veteran or as a newbie? Does he/she appear organized? Does he ask you questions about your case, or does he flounder like he has never interviewed a client before? If the attorney has done this before, chances are she has notes, forms, and information that she needs to collect before she can assist you and will work toward gathering this information at the initial conference.
2. The attorney takes notes as you talk about your case. There are exceptions to this, but attorneys are people too, and the good ones take notes as you speak so that they can remember what you say and so that they can ask follow-up questions at the appropriate time. Chances are an attorney who does not take notes is like a waiter who doesn’t write down your order – either she has an impeccable memory or is not listening to what you are saying and will not remember it later when preparing the case.
3. The attorney has proficient support staff. A highly effective attorney cannot respond to every call, every inquiry, and every demand daily. She needs a support team. Ask your attorney whether she has support staff to help or whether she is by herself. Does she have a paralegal dedicated to helping her? Does she have a separate receptionist, or is the attorney or paralegal the one who does it all? Chances are an attorney with dedicated staff members is better equipped to handle the daily demands of the practice than one who does not have a dedicated staff.
4. The attorney holds most calls and talks to you without being interrupted by others during the appointment. An attorney who won’t make you a priority during the initial meeting probably won’t make you a priority at other times throughout the representation either. When selecting an attorney, be sure that the attorney acts interested in what you are telling her and that she listens to what you are saying.
Of course, trust your instincts. If the lawyer seems untrustworthy and you don’t feel comfortable with him or her, look somewhere else. After all, you may be working with a lawyer for a while, and you want someone with whom you feel comfortable.
For more information or consultation with Kelly & West DWI and Personal Injury Attorneys, call 910-893-8183 or visit the link above.
