Kelly & West News

7 Habits of the Highly Effective Attorney

Ever wonder how you will know if the attorney from whom you seek advice is good at what he or she does? Here is a list of things to look for when choosing an experienced attorney.

1. The attorney’s firm has been in business for a considerable amount of time. Chances are if the firm has been established for more than “a few years,” the firm offers a service that clients find valuable. You can also inquire what percent of the attorney’s firm’s business comes from referrals and previous clients. If that number is high, there is a good chance they have satisfied clients. If the attorney doesn’t know, that could mean they are not very in tune with how the clients feel about their practice or that they do not know that much about the business for whatever reason, but at least it’s worth asking.
   

   Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels

2. The attorney is prepared for the appointments. Does the attorney act like a seasoned veteran or as a newbie? Does he/she appear organized? Does he ask you questions about your case, or does he flounder like he has never interviewed a client before? If the attorney has done this before, chances are she has notes, forms, and information that she needs to collect before she can assist you and will work toward gathering this information at the initial conference.
3. The attorney takes notes as you talk about your case. There are exceptions to this, but attorneys are people too, and the good ones take notes as you speak so that they can remember what you say and so that they can ask follow-up questions at the appropriate time. Chances are an attorney who does not take notes is like a waiter who doesn’t write down your order – either she has an impeccable memory or is not listening to what you are saying and will not remember it later when preparing the case.
4. The attorney has the technology necessary to carry out his work. A capable attorney needs tools of the trade, just like a carpenter needs a hammer and a saw. Therefore, ask your attorney about the tools that he has available. Does he have a computer system to help him keep up with documents, phone calls, emails, and important dates and deadlines? Does he have case management software? Does he have up-to-date bookkeeping and billing software? Does he have digital imaging software and a high-speed scanner? Chances are if he has these things, he is more likely to handle work more efficiently and to respond to incoming requests promptly.
5. The attorney has proficient support staff. A highly effective attorney cannot respond to every call, every inquiry, and every demand daily. She needs a support team. Ask your attorney whether she has support staff to help or whether she is by herself. Does she have a paralegal dedicated to helping her? Does she have a separate receptionist, or is the attorney or paralegal the one who does it all? Chances are an attorney with dedicated staff members is better equipped to handle the daily demands of the practice than one who does not have a dedicated staff.
6. The attorney has a clean desk. We often hear that a clean desk is a sign of a sick mind; however, when it comes to the practice of law, clean desks can be the sign of an organized attorney. While it’s true that some people have “organized chaos,” in most cases, it’s up to the attorney and staff to make sure that the file is in the proper place and that documents are correctly filed. A clean desk can signify that everything is in order, which is vital in preparing a case. Also, a clean desk may be a sign that the attorney is upon his work and that he is not allowing his paperwork to fall behind, a good indication that he will be upon your case as well.
7. The attorney holds most calls and talks to you without being interrupted by others during the appointment. An attorney who won’t make you a priority during the initial meeting probably won’t make you a priority at other times throughout the representation either. When selecting an attorney, be sure that the attorney acts interested in what you are telling her and that she listens to what you are saying. An experienced attorney should be able to respond to questions, sound well-versed in the subject matter, and explain the answer to you in a way that makes sense. In other words, an experienced attorney should put you first and make sure you have a clear understanding of the law and the process.

Of course, most of the time, you know a good lawyer when you meet one, so trust your instincts. If the lawyer seems untrustworthy and you don’t feel comfortable with him or her, look somewhere else. After all, you may be working with a lawyer for a while, and you want someone with whom you feel comfortable.

Are you looking for representation? Contact the Kelly & West team.