Legal malpractice is a real issue that can negatively affect an attorney’s clients for years to come. If you’re preparing to work with an attorney, you should take steps to make sure that the attorney you choose has the education, experience and skill to represent you properly — no matter what the legal issues concerned.
How can you choose a good attorney? Here are four tips that could help you as you search:
1. Make sure the attorney is a good communicator.
The first thing you want is to find out is whether your prospective attorney is a good communicator. Send in an email or message and wait for them to respond to you. If they haven’t gotten back to you in 24 to 48 hours, then you may want to move on to a different option.
2. Don’t be scared to ask questions.
The next thing to do is to ask your attorney questions. Ask them where they went to school. Ask them how long they’ve been practicing and what type of experience they have in your area of concern. If they’re willing to answer, then it can make you more comfortable.
3. Discuss compensation and fees.
You want to know how the attorney charges and what to expect upfront. If they can’t give you a clear understanding of their billing practices, you may want to look elsewhere.
4. Look at references
Finally, look at references. If your friends or family have used an attorney with great success, you may want to consider them, too. Check out referrals and references before you hire any attorney.
These tips can help you find an attorney and minimize the risk that you’ll experience problems. Legal malpractice can be a serious concern. If your attorney’s inattention or mistakes caused you harm, find out more about your options.