Interviewing potential lawyers

Doing a background check on lawyers you might hire isn’t enough. You need to interview each candidate. Here are some questions to ask:

• Do you provide a free initial consultation? If not, how much does it cost?
• What type of fee arrangement do you require? Hourly fee? Contingency fee based on success of action?
• How do you bill expenses?
• What type of cases or matters do you generally handle?
• Have you handled cases or matters similar to mine? 
• What percentage of your business consists of similar cases or matters? 
• How many cases or matters like mine have you handled?
• When did you last take a similar case or matter?
• How long have you been in practice? 
• In what states are you licensed to practice? 
• Have you ever been investigated or disciplined by state authorities?
• Can you describe your typical client?
• Can you provide the names and contact information of the three most recent clients whose cases or matters were similar to mine?
• If you can’t take my case or matter can you provide references to other lawyers who might?
• Will you handle my case or matter personally or will others on your staff work on the case?
• What percentage of the work on my case or matter will be handles by paralegals or your staff?
• What is your current workload? Will you have sufficient time to devote to my case or matter?
• Are there alternatives to a suit for solving my problem, such as arbitration?
• What is your philosophy for these types of cases or matters? 
  • Are you looking for a compromise settlement that works or are you looking to go to court for a potentially bigger judgement?
• How often and how will you keep me informed of what’s going on with my case or matter?
• What is the likely outcome to my case or matter?