How do I know if an attorney is a good one before I contact his/her office for help?

Question

Any websites that 'rate' lawyers? My sister-in-law needs a good lawyer for a child custody issue and I'm trying to help her out by finding a good lawyer. But I don't know how to find a good lawyer.

Answer 1

Can you get to a law library? If so consult a book called Martindale-Hubble which rates attorneys on legal ability and ethics, I did not check to see if it's available on-line. Personally, I think the best way to get a good lawyer is to ask everyone you know for a recommendation.

Answer 2

The best way is from a trusted friend's recommendation. There are ranking systems such as M-H but they primary rank the number of years the attorney has been practicing and whether there are bar complaints/malpractice suits/etc against the attorney. Unfortunately the bar associations appear to protect the attorney members and do not typically discipline either privately or publicly for incompetence. State bars tend to take action against attorneys only for the big things like stealing a client's money or reducing fees for sex with a client.

Answer 3

Most lawyers are good, but you can contact your legal aid society to ask about specific individuals. They are unlikely, however, to recommend a particular lawyer, but they should be able to tell you who in your community specializes in such issues.

Answer 4

Call the county bar association.

Answer 5

Try to get recommendations from people you trust.

Also, the local bar association may have information.

Good luck.

Answer 6

The size of their ads in the yellow pages,,,,,,,,,and bill boards,,,

Answer 7

www.martindale.com