Choosing a Lawyer

Lawyer jokes and the stereotype of "ambulance chasers" exist for a reason.  Annoying television ads and stories about lawyers acting badly seem to be everywhere.  However, most civil attorneys are hard working, caring members of society who believe in fairness, honesty and making life better for others.  We are fortunate that here in Oregon the legal community has a reputation for being more congenial and ethical than elsewhere.   

Regardless, before you decide who you want as your lawyer first be sure that they are the right fit for your personality and your case. Whether you are interested in our firm or not, be carefully consider who will represent you.  Ask yourself if this is the person you want speaking on your behalf in front of a judge or jury.

There is nothing wrong with interviewing more than one lawyer to decide who the best fit is for you.  That is what Keith recommends to the potential clients he interviews.  If you need the name of a reputable lawyer in the local area we can provide you with advice about who to contact. 

Regardless of whom you speak with, beware of the following "red flags".  If these issues pop up when you are speaking with a lawyer that you are considering hiring, be careful going forward.

  1. Most reputable personal injury attorneys do not charge a fee for an initial consultation. If a lawyer asks for a fee before they speak with you consider also interviewing other lawyers who do not.
  2. An attorney should never insist that you sign a representation agreement before leaving their office after an initial consultation.  If you choose to do so - fine.  However, you should never feel pressured to enter into a fee agreement.
  3. The attorney you hire should always explain the terms of your representation agreement to you and be willing to answer any questions you have.
  4. If the attorney you are speaking with guarantees a certain result, you should speak with someone else to be sure of the risks involved and whether such a result is realistic. 
  5. Your attorney should not charge a contingency fee in an amount greater than the benefits they obtain for you. 
  6. Beware of attorneys that send advertisements in the mail to you just after an accident.  Ask questions about their reputation in the legal community and be careful that they don't spend more time advertising than actually helping their clients. 

If after speaking with a few lawyers you are still having trouble finding the right one for you, call the Oregon State Bar's free Lawyer Referral Service at 503-684-3763 (or toll-free in Oregon at 800-452-7636).  They will provide you with the contact information for an attorney from a list of those that handle your kind of case.