People often find themselves in situations requiring legal help but remain hesitant. It could be for a divorce, car accident, medical malpractice, business, or to bring someone to justice. Whatever the reason is, the important factor is to find yourself a reputable attorney.
Lawyers are well-acquainted with the legal world and know how to navigate the complex landscape. They can be immensely helpful when you need legal help, from filing lawsuits to getting rightful compensation. However, finding the right lawyer can be tricky and time-consuming. You can look for references, qualifications, and meet the person in real time. After all, determining the lawyer’s personality is crucial since you’d trust them with your confidential information.
Is the lawyer empathic, friendly, informative, and a good communicator? Getting answers to these questions is crucial to avoid potential disagreements later. If you are still skeptical about this, remember where to start and know what to avoid.
To help you out, here we have listed six red flags of picking a lawyer.
1. Lack of Experience
Truthfully, experience is one of the most crucial factors when hiring a lawyer. You must find out how long the lawyer has been practicing and what kind of cases they have worked on. Finding someone who has worked on cases like yours would be best. Only then will they have the expertise to handle your case efficiently. Therefore, it is best to look for reputable law firms like Thomas Law Offices to get an experienced lawyer on board.
Reputable law offices scrutinize lawyers before hiring them, saving you from all the research. But if you opt for a freelance lawyer, verify all the credentials and past experiences. They might claim to have handled different cases, but ensure they have enough experience handling cases similar to yours.
2. No Specializations
The field of law is diverse and ever-evolving. Some attorneys specialize in healthcare to deal with medical malpractice, whereas others opt for corporate or family law. Either way, every lawyer specializes in one field or the other. Thus, if your lawyer claims to be the jack of all legal cases, consider that a red flag. No lawyer can simultaneously handle a divorce case and a car accident lawsuit since it involves different protocols and legal practicalities.
Similarly, the lawyer assisting your friend with a business merger cannot file your personal injury claim. You can look for someone who has specialized in the area of law where you require assistance.
3. Misleading Information
Do you think your lawyer is being untruthful? It is the biggest red flag you must watch out for when choosing a lawyer. A tiny lie, like saying they tried to contact you but didn’t, can harm your case. Hence, when you notice your lawyer is misleading, hand over the case to someone else.
Unfortunately, most people can’t tell when their lawyer is misleading them since they know little about the law. To avoid this, you can look for subtle signs like your lawyer not telling the entire story or bending the truth. It showcases your lawyer is not honest, and lack of transparency is a massive red flag.
4. Delay in Communication
A lawyer’s job is to represent the client in court and negotiate with the other party. And for this, the lawyer must know where their client stands at all times. Similarly, an attorney has to keep the client updated on all that is happening in the case. From negotiation hearing dates to new evidence, they must keep the client informed. But what if your lawyer isn’t doing this?
Getting unclear or no updates from your lawyer regarding the case is a red flag. They could either be hiding information or concealing the facts. Sometimes, these communication delays also happen because the lawyer is too occupied with other cases. It showcases unprofessional and negligent behavior.
These communication gaps make the clients wonder if their lawyer can’t communicate appropriately with them, will they relay their side to the jury? Therefore, every client must determine how much dedication a lawyer will put to the case before making the final call.
5. Lack of Reviews
A trustworthy lawyer will give you references and reviews themselves. They might even ask you to contact their previous clients for referrals. However, if you don’t find any reliable evidence of their success, then all what they say might be a hollow promise. After all, no reviews about an attorney can speak a lot about their credentials. It is unlikely that no satisfied client has put in a good word for them.
Before you jump to conclusions, dig into every source of information to find reviews. You can check the lawyer’s online presence. There could be no potential reason for them not having a social media presence unless they hide something. Similarly, check their performance records online and assess their win-loss records. It will give you a clear idea of whether they are credible or bluffing.
6. Disorganized Habits
Has your lawyer been missing deadlines? If so, it shows a lack of commitment and discipline towards the case. It also means the lawyer isn’t invested in your case, making it arduous for them to defend you in court. Similarly, lack of focus is another red flag. It can be alarming if your lawyer has been taking calls in your presence or can’t find your legal documents.
An honest and hardworking lawyer has schedules and timetables. They are well aware of the deadlines and put the utmost focus on every client’s case. In addition, they also check up with the client daily to address their concerns and give them hope. If your lawyer is disorganized and unpunctual, they might not be the right fit for handling the case.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right lawyer takes time; hence, avoid being pressured to choose one immediately. You must conduct your due diligence to ensure that you are hiring a credible person. After all, the lawyer would be handling a lot of sensitive information. In addition, look for the red flags to ensure you aren’t hiring the wrong person. It will help you make a more informed decision which best suits your situation.