Alt Title: How to Not Hire an Attorney
When you find yourself facing charges of lawyer, choosing the wrong attorney can make an already stressful situation even worse.
So, how do you end up with the worst possible legal representation? Here’s your step-by-step guide on how to make a mistake when hiring an attorney. Do the opposite and avoid these pitfalls!
Find Someone Who Guarantees an Outcome
One of the easiest ways to set yourself up for disappointment is to hire an attorney who promises you a specific result. A good lawyer will analyze the facts, explore potential defenses, and work tirelessly on your behalf. But no one – no matter how experienced – can guarantee a win.
If an attorney tells you outright that they can “100 percent get your charges dropped” or “absolutely secure a not-guilty verdict,” be skeptical. Legal cases are unpredictable, and anyone who pretends otherwise is either inexperienced or dishonest. A competent attorney will give you a realistic assessment of your situation, not false hope.
Hire Someone Who Can’t Explain Their Fee Structure
Money matters, especially when it comes to legal representation. If you want to end up in financial chaos, choose a lawyer who won’t give you a clear answer about what they charge. The worst attorneys dodge questions about pricing, add surprise fees, and leave you guessing about how much you’ll owe in the end.
A trustworthy lawyer will be upfront about their fees and billing practices. Whether they charge by the hour, require a flat fee, or work on contingency, you should know exactly what to expect before signing anything. If an attorney avoids the topic or keeps changing the numbers, take it as a major red flag.
Pick a Lawyer Who’s Overloaded with Cases
Some attorneys take on so many cases that they barely have time to remember their clients’ names, let alone craft a strong defense. If you want to ensure your case gets minimal attention, hire a lawyer who is clearly stretched too thin.
An overworked lawyer will miss important deadlines, fail to return your calls, and show up unprepared in court. You deserve an attorney who prioritizes your case and gives it the time and attention it needs. The best way to gauge this? Pay attention to how responsive they are when you first reach out. If they take days to respond before you’ve even hired them, imagine how difficult it’ll be to get a hold of them when your case is in full swing.
Choose an Attorney with No Experience in Your Type of Case
Would you go to a brain surgeon for heart surgery? Of course not. But when hiring a lawyer, people often overlook the importance of specialization. If you want to hire an attorney who’s completely unprepared to handle your case, pick one who lacks experience in the specific area of law you need.
For example, if you’re facing a criminal charge, don’t hire someone whose main expertise is real estate law. Just because someone has a law degree doesn’t mean they know how to navigate your type of case.
As SBBL Law says, “An experienced general-practice lawyer with great reviews, who only occasionally takes on criminal defense cases, is probably a poor choice. You’re probably better off with a criminal defense attorney with fewer years of practice, but where all they do is criminal defense.”
Ask your potential lawyer how many cases like yours they’ve handled. If they dodge the question or seem unsure, move on.
Go with an Attorney Who’s Focused on Billable Hours
The worst attorneys don’t actually care about your case. Instead, they see you as nothing more than a paycheck. These lawyers will push for unnecessary motions, drag out the process, and rack up as many billable hours as possible – without making any real progress on your case.
You can usually spot these attorneys by how quickly they bring up money in your first meeting. While fees are an important part of the process, a good lawyer will focus on understanding your case before launching into a financial discussion. If all they talk about is money, they’re likely more interested in squeezing every last dollar from you than actually defending you.
Ignore Reviews and References
One of the easiest ways to hire an incompetent lawyer is to skip your research. Don’t check online reviews, don’t ask for references, and don’t look into their track record. Just go with the first name you find and hope for the best.
Of course, if you want to avoid hiring the wrong person, you should do the opposite. Read through reviews from past clients, ask for referrals from trusted sources, and check with your local bar association to see if they’ve had any disciplinary actions against them. The more information you gather, the better your chances of finding someone who’s truly qualified.
Putting it All Together
Hiring an incompetent lawyer is easier than you think – just pick someone who makes big promises, avoids discussing fees, lacks experience in your type of case, and communicates poorly. If you actually want to find a great attorney, however, take your time, do your research, and look for someone with a proven track record, clear communication skills, and genuine care for their clients.
