How to choose the right lawyer — and how Avvo can help

If you're looking for a lawyer, you have a very important, and possibly stressful, decision to make. We’ve been there ourselves, so we understand—and we’re here to help. We’ve combined our personal experiences with our deep knowledge of the legal industry to produce this 3-step guide to choosing the right lawyer.

The process of choosing a lawyer is similar to making any other significant purchase. For example, when you shop for a new car, you don’t buy the first one you see—you do research, ask questions, take test drives. This kind of careful and methodical “shopping” is also in your best interest as you choose the lawyer that best fits your unique needs.

Before you start, you’ll need to decide what qualities you want in your lawyer. There are a number of qualities that you should expect your lawyer to have. These “fundamentals” include:

Good standing with the state bar association: In other words, the bar association—which licenses attorneys in your state—believes this lawyer is fit to practice law.

No disciplinary sanctions: A disciplinary sanction is an action taken against a lawyer by the state agency that regulates lawyers. If a lawyer has a sanction, be sure to investigate, taking into account the severity of the sanction and how long ago it occurred. A sanction can be a minor reprimand, or it can be a very serious punishment like suspension or disbarment from practicing law.

Experience with cases like yours: Most lawyers concentrate in a few areas of the law. Once you know what these areas are, it’s easier to find lawyers with the experience and skills that are relevant to your situation.

Good communication skills: Regardless of your legal issue, you want someone who keeps you informed and stays in touch, every step of the way. Legal matters can be confusing and your attorney is your advocate and guide. Don’t settle for anything less.

	How Avvo can help We've provided brief, easy-to-understand definitions of the most common legal practice areas. Consult the legal practice areas list for information on what type of lawyer will be best for your situation.