Three Qualities Of A Good Lawyer

Introduction

There are a number of factors that affect your choice of a lawyer. If the claim is not a contingent fee accident claim, how much can you afford and how expensive is the lawyer? Does the lawyer handle cases in your area? Does the lawyer handle your type of case? Aside from these factors, there are three qualities that you should look for in any lawyer you retain.

Ethics: A Good Lawyer Is an Ethical Lawyer

An ethical lawyer is a better lawyer. Long established rules of ethics govern the legal profession. These rules include rules that require lawyers to be truthful with the court, to avoid misuse of client funds and to avoid filing frivolous claims. Judges, other lawyers and insurance adjusters know which lawyers have a good ethical reputation and they deal with the ethical lawyers more favorably. If a lawyer says or does anything that suggests they are willing to operate outside the bounds of ethics to win your case, do not hire that lawyer.

Diligence: A Good Lawyer is a Hard Worker

Effort will not guarantee a favorable result but lack of effort will guarantee failure. To be a hard worker a lawyer must keep appointments, follow through and prepare materials as promised. A lawyer does not need to work long hours to be hard worker. If the lawyer comes recommended by family or friends, ask about their work ethic. Do they work hard and follow through? If you know a lawyer from some other setting, such as being in a club together, ask yourself, does this person work hard and take the time to do tasks correctly?

Experience: A Good Lawyer Is Experienced But Not Undefeated

Good lawyers win more of their claims than they lose, but they do lose. Be wary of any attorney who claims they never lost a case. If they really never have lost, they have either tried very few cases or they only go to trial on the easiest cases, abandoning the difficult claims.

It helps to select an attorney that has handled a similar claim to your claim. However, experience in the general area of law is sufficient. For example, an accident attorney may have never handled a claim with a bicycle rider injured by a malfunctioning drawbridge, but they have handled injury claims with malfunctioning equipment, and other claims involving bike riders. This attorney will have the requisite experience to handle the bicycle rider's claim caused by the malfunctioning drawbridge.

Before you make a decision, research the attorney's reputation and experience. Look at their website, search their name in available online search engines, look on the Florida Bar website at www.floridabar.org, meet the attorney in person and ask the person who recommended the attorney about their qualifications.

Judson Cohen and Allan Cohen of Cohen Law Offices take great pride in our ethics, diligence and experience. We obtain the majority of our business through word of mouth referrals from former clients and other attorneys. We pursue claims honestly, ethically and effectively thereby maintaining a good reputation within the legal community. Feel free to call the South Florida injury attorneys Judson Cohen or Allan Cohen of Cohen Law Offices at 1-888-412-6436 (1-888-41COHEN) for a free case evaluation.