Know a Bad Lawyer When You See One

Whether you are facing anything from a divorce to a violent felony charge, the lawyer you choose to hire can make a major difference in how things turn out for you in court. Because of this, it is extremely important to make sure that the person you hire is representing you in an effective manner.

While there are many things to look for in determining whether one lawyer is better than another, there are also a number of telltale signs that can help you spot a bad one when you see one. Whether you have already hired an attorney or are still trying to decide on one, taking a close look for these signs of ineptitude can mean the difference between a successful case and a disastrous one.

First and foremost, the most important factor in any attorney-client relationship is effective communication. If you are going to trust someone to manage your affairs and represent you during what will be a vitally important period of your life, you should expect that person to be honest and clear with you and make sure you are kept up to date about the status of your case.

Beyond that, he or she should also be readily available to speak with you whenever you feel the need, and should regularly return phone calls or emails in a timely fashion. If you find your questions are often going unanswered or you are having difficulty reaching your attorney that means that the level of communication is unacceptable.

Another equally important quality that every lawyer should display is punctuality. Whether it is meeting deadlines for filing paperwork with the court or making sure to be on time for any meetings with you or other involved parties, lawyers should be able to be trusted to adhere to a strict and accurate schedule. Lawyers who are routinely late for meetings, miss deadlines or forget important dates are proving that they cannot be trusted.

Finally, there is a certain degree of professional conduct that you should expect from any lawyer, whether it is in or out of the courtroom. This means that he or she should treat everyone involved in your case with the utmost courtesy and respect in any and all dealings with them. If you find that your attorney is short with other lawyers, court officers or even you, then this is an important indicator that you do not have the right person for the job.

Any lawyer who fails to measure up in any of these key areas is not someone you should feel comfortable trusting with your legal well-being. Beyond that, you should expect lawyers you do consider hiring to show all of these qualities in combination to help ensure you that you have found the right person to represent you.