Soon after finishing his studies at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Peter Howe, Michigan attorney, figured out the fact that people have a huge problem in actually finding a really good lawyer to represent them. Unfortunately, most people think about factors that are not as important as they may think.
For instance, hiring the cheapest attorney is almost always going to lead to bad representation. Similarly to how you always want to pay more to get high-quality services, you want to be sure that you pay the adequate amount to get the best possible legal representation. However, many other things need to be mentioned about choosing an attorney. Peter Howe talks about this in the following paragraphs.
Specialization
Just as with doctors, different lawyers have different specializations. You should start any search for legal representation with a focus on specialization. For instance, if you go through a divorce in Michigan, there is no reason to hire a criminal defense attorney. In fact, the criminal defense attorney might actually make the situation a lot worse. In this situation, you want to look for a lawyer specialized in divorce laws. Start the search with fully understanding what law specialization the attorney needs to have.
Experience
Being specialized in a specific law type does not mean you are going to be really good at it. You need to be sure that the considered attorney has experience and successfully represented people like you in the past. Try to find out as much as you can about past cases handled. Were they similar to what you face right now? If not, there is a pretty good possibility that proper representation will not be a reality.
The great thing about talking to lawyers is that they need to answer the questions you pose in a truthful manner. That is why you should always ask as many questions as possible, including what cases were handled in the past. Obviously, this can be double checked and using the internet to find some past clients of the considered attorney will always help you find those that have high integrity.
Communication
One of the most important parts of being an attorney, according to Peter Howe, is how you communicate with clients. The best lawyers are those that can offer really advanced information in plain terms. Those are the ones you want to hire since communication skills are paramount, no matter the specialization. With this in mind, do be mindful of how the attorney answers asked questions. Are they patient and properly explain everything so you can understand? If not, there is a good possibility that improper communication will also appear when it is more important, like in court or when talking to other attorneys.
Final Thoughts
Peter Howe ultimately recommends that you hire the attorney that has the most experience and that offered the best services for clients in the past. Always be patient, even if you need an attorney really fast. You want to be sure you hire someone that is very good. This does take time.
