HELPING YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT ATTORNEY

CHOOSING AN ATTORNEY IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT

 DECISIONS YOU WILL MAKE (AND IN SOME CASES THE MOST)

 

How do you chose an attorney? Can you rely on television or radio ads, or billboards? An Internet search? A web site is just another advertisement. The American Bar Association advises: 

[A]lways be careful about believing everything you read and hear--and nowhere is this truer than with advertisements. *

On-line reviews possibly could help. But are the reviewers really qualified to appraise the quality of legal service an attorney can or will provide? Favorable reviews are solicited from clients but likely not from dissatisfied clients. Even reviews by other attorneys are likely provided by friendly colleagues--not critical commentators. What about lawyer rating sites and services? These have been described as "lawyer ego scams" and of little objective value. In particular:

True merit cannot be measured with a subjective rating or some flattering adjective. [Neither t]he label of superb, excellent, premium, or super-duper lawyer nor the amount of money they spend on advertising are indications of how well the lawyer will perform in representing someone facing a specific type of legal issue. [source].

What about recommendations from friends or colleagues? Like reviewers providing commentary, are friends and colleagues in a position to identify an attorney particularly suited to your needs? The American Bar Association advises:

No one you listen to and nothing you read will be able to guarantee that a particular lawyer will be the best for you; you must judge that for yourself . . . There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.

Lawyer referral services? The American Bar Association has the following comment: [T]hese [referral] services are not a surefire way to find the best lawyer or the right lawyer for you. Some services make referrals without concern for the lawyer’s type or level of experience." * [* source]

Even if you've carefully researched how to choose an attorney best suited to your needs, and, for instance, have compiled a list of questions to ask, are you confident that you can compare the answers of several lawyers? Would you ask appropriate follow-up questions? The situation can be daunting and the more dire the legal need the more daunting the situation. We're here to help!

 

HAVE A LEGAL TEAM ON YOUR SIDE

Attorney Richard M. Russell, with nearly 30 years experience in the law, can identify the best fit legal practice area and one or more attorneys in that practice area well qualified to assist you. Working from a manageable group of qualified attorneys, you can focus your time and effort on selecting the attorney with which you will work best, confident that you've made a proper decision. 

Contact us for a free phone consultation. Even if you've conducted significant research, you can discuss any questions you might have with an experienced lawyer. Let us help you make confident decisions.

THERE IS NO COST IN OBTAINING PROFESSIONAL

ASSISTANCE IN SELECTING AN ATTORNEY

Unlike your relationship with the lawyer you ultimately hire, there is no fee for our services. Ordinarily our fees our paid by the lawyer you hire.

OUR ROLE DOESN'T END WHEN YOU'VE HIRED A LAWYER

Even after you've selected an attorney, the attorney-client relationship, unfortunately, is fraught with conflicts. An attorney is likely to ask you to sign a fee agreement. The fee agreement may be several pages. The attorney necessarily represents him or herself in this negotiation and cannot represent both parties to the agreement. Thus, the client essentially is left without counsel in signing a perhaps lengthy contract with counsel. Working with an attorney to select an attorney can resolve this dilemma.

Lawyers are put in a difficult position when, for instance, an adverse party makes a settlement offer. Often the lawyer has a financial stake in the advice the lawyer provides: in a contingent fee case accepting a settlement results in payment to the lawyer whereas declining the offer could result in additional effort possibly without payment. In these instances it's preferable to obtain advice from a professional without a financial state in the advice provided. Many attorneys actually appreciate that other counsel provides advice on the merits of a settlement offer.

THERE'S NO RISK IN INQUIRING

Phone and let's discuss your situation. There's no obligation. We're confident that you'll prefer to proceed with experienced counsel rather than go it alone. [Follow the link to the right for an audio message from Richard M. Russell.] 

Phone 508 457 7557 or use the contact form for more information. Main office located at 197 Palmer Avenue, Falmouth, Massachusetts 02540. Satellite office located in Norwood, Massachusetts.

John Adams Courthouse, Boston, MA