Choosing a Lawyer

DO:

Ask your lawyer about his or her experience with the particular circumstances which apply to your case.
Ask whether he or she is a member of a team which works together to formulate the most effective way to get you the best result.
Ask your lawyer if he or she is an expert.
Ask your lawyer if he or she regularly attends legal education sessions on the latest developments in changes to the law and obtaining the best outcome for you.
Ask your lawyer to fully and openly discuss legal costs and what you have to pay in litigation if your claim is successful.
Ask whether the firm has affiliations with leading experts to provide an insight into your circumstances.
Ask whether the firm has the technological support and resources to be able to support the efficient conduct of your transaction.
Ask whether the firm has an office located in a commercial centre with immediate access to the major courts, business houses and their lawyers.
Ask your lawyer if their firm is acknowledged by other lawyers for their expertise and excellence.

Choose a lawyer solely on his or her charge rate. The volume of work done (and charged for) by an inexperienced lawyer will be far greater to that which an experienced lawyer will need to do.
Think that every lawyer will achieve the same result. A good result requires lots of experience and a very good outcome requires a specialised team approach.
Choose a lawyer solely because he or she is a friend or a friend's mate.
Choose a lawyer because of their advertising. Anyone regardless of their expertise can run an advertisement. It does not mean that lawyer is a specialist or has the experience and resources to get you a good result.
Choose a lawyer who is not prepared to fully disclose fees and charges.
Choose a lawyer whose firm does not have the resources to deal with complex contemporary situations.
Choose a lawyer who also does many other types of legal work. You need and are entitled to specialist advice.