Are you currently represented but dissatisfied with the progress of your case or the treatment you receive? Have you been injured and are looking for the best attorney to represent you? There are a few things you will want to look for as you scour web sites and make your list.
First, look to see if they have been ranked by Martindale-Hubbell. Martindale-Hubbell is one of the oldest and most respected lawyer rating services. It is a completely independent and objective evaluation of the attorney by other members of the bar and judiciary. The highest eligible rating is AV preeminent. This is a significant rating accomplishment because other members of the legal community are ranking this lawyer as having the highest level of professional competence and ethics.
Second, for noteworthy memberships and awards. Specifically look to see if the lawyer is a member if the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The Million Dollar Advocates Forum website describes its history: “Established in 1993, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum is one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. There are over 4000 members throughout the country. Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members. The common fact is that they have each demonstrated, in an objective and tangible way, their ability to accomplish superior results in complex cases. Certification by the Million Dollar Advocates Forum provides recognition of such accomplishment and a national network of experienced colleagues for information exchange, assistance and professional referral. Since 1993 membership has been based upon strict objective qualifications.”
Another membership to look for on an attorney’s website is The National Trial Lawyers. This is a national organization composed of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers from each state. Membership is obtained through special invitation and is extended only to those attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications, leadership, reputation, influence, stature, and profile as trial lawyers, both civil plaintiff and criminal defense.
You also might look for the BBB logo, this means the office is registered with the Better Business Bureau and takes pride in their service. The BBB monitors complaints and compliments, a business not registered with the BBB has a slightly less impressive reputation. The BBB will display what the businesses rating is such as a report card. You deserve an A+.
Another national rating service for attorneys is AVVO. What is the Avvo Rating? According to information form the AVVO website: “ The Avvo Rating is our effort to evaluate a lawyer’s background, based on the information we know about the lawyer. The rating is calculated using a mathematical model that considers the information shown in a lawyer’s profile, including a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition – all factors that, in our opinion, are relevant to assessing a lawyer’s qualifications.
According to the AVVO website, here’s why AVVO can help you find the right lawyer; “1) It’s unbiased.Because ratings are calculated using a mathematical model, all lawyers are rated by the same standards. 2) There’s no favoritism. Here at Avvo, all lawyers are treated equally. They can’t pay to change their ratings, and we don’t play favorites to lawyers we know; 3) It’s developed by legal professionals for those without legal training. The model used to calculate the Avvo Rating was developed with input from hundreds of attorneys, thousands of consumers, and legal professionals.” 4) It’s easy to understand. With simple ratings from 1 to 10 or “Attention” and “No Concern,” we hope to make clearer the murky process of understanding lawyers’ backgrounds.”
By reviewing AVVO you will be able to see where that lawyer is ranked based on a complex formula. The highest AVVO rating is a 10.0, with 10 being Superb.
Now that the National information ratings are reviewed you want to look closely on what that attorney does locally. For example, do they serve on a board? Do they volunteer in the community? It is always a good sign to see that your attorney is involved in the local community or government, from the Chamber of Commerce to advocating for the less fortunate. Get a feel for what type of person the attorney is and go from there. Does the attorney even list this information on their site? A lawyer must be an effective communicator. To be an effective communicator an attorney should be able to relate to people from all walks of life, i.e. Park Avenue to park bench. If the attorney is in touch with his community on all levels from front line service work to board memberships, it reveals someone who relates to and understands the people in their community. These same people serve on juries. The essential role is obviously being the best lawyer possible, but the follow through of extra dedication is something to appreciate.
Once you check into the attorney’s other endeavors then you will have a solid understanding of their commitment to law and justice. The last step is to look at their successes. When you go on many personal injury attorney’s websites you will find summaries of large cases that they have won. The web site will boast the settlement amount as well. Is there a case as unique as yours listed? If not, give them a call and ask. Find other similarities you share with this attorney. Perhaps you are a professional semi-truck driver and you need an attorney to help you with your injury claim, then look for settlements that are similar to yours or even better, check and see if the attorney is a member of APTILAmerica which is an aggressive group of trial lawyers who came together to help eliminate unsafe trucking practices.
It does matter who you choose to represent you. Just because your mother or cousin had a good outcome with an attorney does not mean they are the right one for you. Every case is different just like every individual on this planet. Here at Brooks Law Group, we have dedicated staff who are committed to providing the best care in the industry as well as the best attitudes. Give us a call, but first check out our qualifications! “We Mean Business.”
