| Picking a lawyer can be very stressful.  | | | | online databases such as  |
| Without a legal background, it is often difficult to tell the | | | | Â |
| difference between one attorney and the next. | | | | Education |
| This is further complicated by the degree of | | | | Â |
| specialization in legal services. In the past, it was | | | | Check to make sure that your lawyer |
| adequate to use a general lawyer who could cover a | | | | graduated from an accredited law school. The |
| broad range of legal services. The law, | | | | American Bar Association maintains a list of law |
| however, has become increasingly complex and law | | | | schools it has approved on its website. |
| firms now often have different departments for | | | | Â |
| specific areas of specialization such as litigation, | | | | Personality |
| personal injury, malpractice, real estate, and intellectual | | | | Â |
| property. | | | | Legal matters can be very personal in nature. |
| Â | | | | Make sure that you connect on a personal level with |
| So how do you pick a lawyer? Here are a few | | | | your lawyer. If you don't get along with your |
| basic criteria that can be used: | | | | attorney, it will be difficult to work with him effectively. |
| Â | | | | Â |
| Experience | | | | Cost |
| Â | | | | Â |
| Make sure that any lawyer you're considering has | | | | Legal services can often be prohibitively |
| adequate experience, not only in law, but also in the | | | | expensive. With legal fees running hundreds of |
| specific cases of your type. In addition, make | | | | thousands of dollars, prestigious law firms are |
| sure that he has adequate trial experience. | | | | frequently too expensive for most people. |
| Many lawyers don't actually try lawsuits. | | | | Local judges can often recommend attorneys that |
| Â | | | | have affordable fees. |
| Reputation | | | | Â |
|  | | | | Picking a lawyer can be difficult. It is important |
| It is important to research the past work of an | | | | to be fully informed before selecting an |
| attorney. Check with past clients, colleagues, | | | | attorney. For more information about legal |
| and judges and look for press coverage of past | | | | matters, visit FreeMalpracticeAdvice. |
| cases. In addition, you can search peer-review | | | | |