SELECTING A LAWYER

If and when you become a prospective client seeking to hire a lawyer, you should seek certain qualities within the lawyer. As professionals, lawyers are not one-size fits all. Every lawyer has strengths and weaknesses, specialties and expertise in certain areas, billing practices, reputations, backgrounds, and personalities. A lawyer should not be retained or hired solely based upon advertisements, websites, blogs, promotions, slogans, appearance, or price.

Rather, a lawyer should be hired for his/her personality, reputation (if true), expertise, knowledge, ability to listen and give advice, honesty, a sense of fairness and justice, and responsiveness to name a few. The choice of a lawyer should be discerned with careful attention and deliberation. Lawyers are not commodities that can be readily traded or replaced similar to canned goods. Selecting a lawyer is an extremely important decision, and the best method to select the right lawyer is to request an initial consultation to discuss all relevant matters, including questions most important to you.

It is recommended to meet with the lawyer in person. You can see his/her law office, meet the staff (who will work closely with you), and discern whether or not this particular lawyer is the right person to handle your case. Also, this gives the lawyer an opportunity to decide if he/she wishes to represent you.

About the Author:

Patrick G. King, a trial lawyer, practices in the areas of Personal Injury (Automobile Accidents, Bike Accidents, Construction Site Accidents, Dog Bites, Dram Shop, Injuries to Children, Motorcycle Accidents, Negligence, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Trucking Accidents/Semi-Tractor Trailer Accidents, and Wrongful Death), Criminal Defense (Felony, Misdemeanor, DUI, and Traffic), and Driver’s License Reinstatement cases before Illinois Secretary of State at Formal Administrative Hearings. Patrick is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Missouri and actively represents clients in the following counties, Madison County, IL, Jersey County, IL, St. Clair County, IL, Macoupin County, IL, Montgomery County, IL, Green County, IL, Calhoun County, IL, Bond County, IL, and Monroe County, IL. Patrick also represents clients throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.