"We think that choosing an attorney comes down to 3 simple elements: legal skills, rapport, and price. These elements are similar to anything else that a customer might purchase, but the customer may well be unfamiliar with how to apply these elements to purchases of legal services."


I. LEGAL SKILLS


In general, you are looking for an attorney who is well experienced in the area of your legal problem. Ask questions such as the following: How long has the attorney been in practice? How many cases have been handled? How many trials? How many appeals? With what results? What are the "biggest" cases you've ever handled, both in dollar size and in general legal significance?. Even if you're not sure how much experience is enough, you can use the answers to compare among the attorneys interviewed." Beyond the issue of experience, try to get an idea of how the attorney will approach your case. Ask about how the case is likely to go, how much time it will take, what actions will be taken along the way. Does the attorney teach his/her subject matter? Write articles on it? If so, ask to see some of the articles.

II. RAPPORT


This is a most difficult area to develop. You want an attorney who is strong and tough enough to champion your rights in a legal conflict. By the same token, you want an attorney who you can trust and confide in, who cares about, and believes in, your case. This may be a delicate and difficult balance to achieve. Here are some thoughts: At the very first interview, is the attorney willing to spend time to listen to your legal problem? Does the attorney genuinely appear to be interested, to hear you? Does the attorney timely return your telephone calls? There may of course be intangibles that go toward the feeling that the attorney is the right one for you.

III. PRICE


Why not negotiate the charge requested by attorneys? Though your jurisdiction may have a maximum contingency fee charge such as one-third, this is not a requirement that the attorney MUST charge one-third. Some attorneys won't negotiate their fees. This does not mean that you should not hire them. After all, if they are tough in negotiation with you, then they should be tough in negotiating with your opponents. However, this can be an important factor when you are making your decision as between and among various attorneys.