How to Strip Your Lawyer: 6 Ways to Find Out if Your Lawyer Is Doing a Good Job
May 2, 2011 By Goldstein and Bashner
Is your lawyer doing a good job on your case? Here are 6 ways to strip away the flash and fast talk and find out how your lawyer is doing.
Your lawyer wears designer suits, fancy shoes, has a local ad on the radio, and a flashy website that initially caught your attention. But now you’re having doubts—is he doing a good job? Is my case getting the attention it deserves? Here’s what you need to know to strip away the flash and appearance and find out if your how your lawyer is doing on your case:
1. Check the public record. Active court cases are available and on public record, so you can check to see that your case has been filed and that the information seems correct and up to date with your lawyer’s claims. New York State and many jurisdictions around the country now have the cases available online. If your jurisdiction is not online, you can go to the court house and look up your case.
2. Get the records. Ask your lawyer for a copy of your case so you can see what he or she has done.
3. Ask for a face-to-face meeting. A lawyer should be willing to fully discuss any questions or concerns you have.
4. Do online research. Check your lawyer on legal sites such as Avvo or nolo, as well as on general sites like Google Places and Yelp! to see what other clients have to say. Search peer-review online databases such as martindale.com to see comments and opinions from other lawyers.
5. Get another lawyer’s opinion. If you have doubts about your lawyer, you can always meet with another lawyer and see what he has to say about your case. If at anytime you want to change your lawyer, you are entitled to do this without being financially penalized. It is up to the lawyers to come to an agreement on how to split any fee that is owed if you win your case.
6. Make sure that any lawyer you're considering has adequate experience, not only in law, but also in the specific cases of your type. Have they published any reports or written articles and blogs? Check out their website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Neal Goldstein
Neal has been practicing in the field of personal injury law for over 20 years. Currently a senior partner with Goldstein and Bashner P.C., he focuses on serious personal injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents, premise liability, construction site accidents and sexual assaults. Neal is a skilled negotiator and has resolved many cases which have resulted in millions of dollars to injured victims. In addition to his role at the firm, Neal has been very active with many not for profit organizations on Long Island.
Copyright Goldstein and Bashner
More information about Goldstein and Bashner
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
1. Check the public record. Active court cases are available and on public record, so you can check to see that your case has been filed and that the information seems correct and up to date with your lawyer’s claims. New York State and many jurisdictions around the country now have the cases available online. If your jurisdiction is not online, you can go to the court house and look up your case.
2. Get the records. Ask your lawyer for a copy of your case so you can see what he or she has done.
3. Ask for a face-to-face meeting. A lawyer should be willing to fully discuss any questions or concerns you have.
4. Do online research. Check your lawyer on legal sites such as Avvo or nolo, as well as on general sites like Google Places and Yelp! to see what other clients have to say. Search peer-review online databases such as martindale.com to see comments and opinions from other lawyers.
5. Get another lawyer’s opinion. If you have doubts about your lawyer, you can always meet with another lawyer and see what he has to say about your case. If at anytime you want to change your lawyer, you are entitled to do this without being financially penalized. It is up to the lawyers to come to an agreement on how to split any fee that is owed if you win your case.
6. Make sure that any lawyer you're considering has adequate experience, not only in law, but also in the specific cases of your type. Have they published any reports or written articles and blogs? Check out their website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Neal Goldstein
Neal has been practicing in the field of personal injury law for over 20 years. Currently a senior partner with Goldstein and Bashner P.C., he focuses on serious personal injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents, premise liability, construction site accidents and sexual assaults. Neal is a skilled negotiator and has resolved many cases which have resulted in millions of dollars to injured victims. In addition to his role at the firm, Neal has been very active with many not for profit organizations on Long Island.
Copyright Goldstein and Bashner
More information about Goldstein and Bashner
View all articles published by Goldstein and Bashner
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
