From experience, I have two pieces of advice regarding lawyers – neither of which you’ll get from AI.
Be A Good Client
This is a lot more than paying invoices timely. You’ll benefit from developing a productive and respectful relationship with your lawyer. Here’s how:
- Respond promptly to requests for information and documents. Don’t delay your result.
- Present your facts, your documents, your evidence in an organized and orderly way. The more effort you put into organizing your materials, the less time your lawyer will need to spend time (your money) organizing for you.
- Be completely truthful with your lawyer – the good, bad and ugly. Anything less can jeopardize your case or the agreement you seek.
There’s more to being a good client but I’m sure you can figure that out.
Select The Best Lawyer You Can Find
The quality and competence of lawyers varies significantly, so it’s crucial to make the effort to choose wisely. Here’s what I suggest:
- Get recommendations from trusted lawyers and judges.
- Research candidates online.
- Interview a shortlist of three to five candidates. I would take half an hour to an hour, depending upon how complex the case is.
The right lawyer will give you the best chance of succeeding with your case. If not, …
Hope this is of value to you. As always, I welcome comments.
Carl Barney
February 20, 2025