FROM THE LEGAL PAD
Hints on Selecting a Lawyer
Some people go through their entire life without
ever having had any dealings with an attorney. For those that do,
the majority see the lawyer for a Will or in connection with a house closing.
Many times when purchasing a home, the purchaser is limited to specific
attorneys required to be used by the lending institution involved, and
he or she may never see or talk to the attorney until the closing of the
transaction.
"Let Your Fingers Do the Walking"
If you are left to make your own selection
of a lawyer, how do you go about it? Sometimes a family member or
a close friend has used a lawyer that they will recommend. If that
lawyer handles the type of problem with which you are concerned, then this
might be the best way. However, sometimes you might prefer that your
need for a lawyer be private and not wish to talk about it with family
or friends. In this case, you might consider going to the "friendly"
yellow pages in your telephone directory. However, with over 300
lawyers in private practice in this area, the yellow pages can still cause
a problem. In addition to the normal listing under "Attorneys", there
are specialized listings in 23 "specialty" headings from "Attorneys--Administrative
Agencies and Governmental Law" to "Attorneys--Worker's Compensation".
Unknown to the average person, the only requirement
to be listed under one of the "specialty" headings is that you be a licensed
attorney and be willing to pay for the additional listing. No evidence
of expertise or experience in that area of specialty is required.
Therefore, you cannot be sure that the lawyer listed under the specialty
which you are seeking is more qualified for that area than lawyers listed
under the general heading of "Attorneys" which precedes all of the specialty
listings. Further, I must admit that I have seen some "ads" where
the Lawyer or Lawyer claimed more experience in areas then could probably
be established. Many of the lawyers listed under specialties are
indeed experts in that area, but there is no requirement that they be so.
I understand that the State Bar of Ga. is concerned and may start policing
this area more closely. However, if you are not familiar with any
lawyers, the yellow pages is not a bad place to start.
Some, but not all lawyers will be glad to
spend a few minutes with you on the telephone discussing your need for
an attorney in a general fashion. However, most lawyers will want
you to make an appointment and come in to talk personally face to face
before getting into much detail. In general, policy on a first appointment
varies in the community, but the majority of lawyers will be glad to spend
a few minutes with you in their office listening to your problem at no
charge. The reason for this is that until the lawyer knows what your
problem is specifically, it is difficult for him to make a decision as
to whether he can be of assistance to you. As complicated as the
law is, it is impossible for an attorney to be an expert in all areas.
After talking with a lawyer in his office,
the decision of whether the lawyer will represent you is a joint decision
of the lawyers accepting your case and your deciding to employ the lawyer.
One of the most important features of a good lawyer/client relationship
is the ability of both to be able to communicate with each other.
Lack of communication between lawyer and client causes more problems than
any other. If you're comfortable with the lawyer and feel that he
can help you, then you may have the beginning of a good lawyer/client relationship.
(Copyright 1987, Homer M. Scarborough, Jr.)
* The opinions expressed in From the
Legal Pad are based on the laws of Georgia in force at the time of
the Copyright notice, and are not intended in any way to replace the neccessity
and need of conferring with a private attorney as to the laws existing
in your State and jurisdication. Further, each situation is unique
and the opinions herein are are general.
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