The Attorney Shopping Guide: 5 Red Flags That Mean You Should Keep Looking
Download MP3Episode Description
Struggling to find a good attorney to take your case? This episode reveals the insider secrets from a licensed private investigative agency that has worked with over 1,000 attorneys and law firms. Learn the step-by-step process to locate, contact, and hire an excellent attorney who will actually be responsive and take your case seriously.
Key Takeaways
- Define Your End Goal First - Write down exactly what you want to accomplish with your case in 2-3 sentences, not just the problems you're facing
- Research Practice Areas Thoroughly - Only consider attorneys who specifically list your type of case in their practice areas on their website
- Create a Comprehensive List - Start with 20 law firms in your jurisdiction using Google, Martindale, and other legal directories
- Verify Court Activity - Use your county's online court system to check if attorneys are actually appearing in court, not just filing paperwork from their office
- Master the Initial Contact - Never describe your entire case in the first message; instead, simply inquire about arranging a conversation
- Find Direct Email Addresses - Avoid generic contact forms and find the specific attorney's email address for better response rates
- Present Yourself Professionally - Treat the initial meeting like a job interview where you need to impress them
- Prepare a One-Page Outline - Summarize your case basics in bullet points on a single sheet of paper
- Reference Their Past Cases - Show you've done research by mentioning specific cases they've handled similar to yours
- Bring Documentation But Don't Show It - Have all your case documents ready but only present them if the attorney specifically asks
Why This Process Works
- Attorneys receive numerous inquiries daily and default to finding reasons NOT to take cases
- Most attorneys prefer staying in their offices rather than going to court
- Clients who appear high-maintenance are immediately rejected
- Professional presentation and research separate you from desperate-sounding prospects
- Attorneys want to work with clients who understand the legal process
Red Flags to Avoid
- Attorneys who don't list your case type in their practice areas
- Lawyers who rarely or never appear in court
- Firms that only respond through generic contact forms
- Attorneys who seem overwhelmed or unresponsive during initial contact
- Lawyers who haven't handled cases similar to yours recently
Action Steps
- Spend 3-4 hours on initial research to avoid months of problems later
- Create a spreadsheet with attorney names, bar numbers, and court activity
- Craft a simple, vague initial inquiry message
- Prepare for meetings with professional attire and organized materials
- Research the attorney's recent cases to reference during your meeting
Note: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always use your own judgment when selecting legal representation.
