Expectations. What exactly is a lawyer's task? When you hire an attorney, you're hiring someone to defend your interests in trying out legal matters, in court, or with someone representing you in negotiations. Your lawyer should:Practice ethics. It's not enough for a lawyer to practice law. They should also be ethical, knowledgeable and courteous to clients and stand by the law. You can check out local bar associations to find out what ethical codes lawyers are expected to observe. Some states even require lawyers to pass an ethics test before they're allowed to practice.Take the bar exam. Many lawyers participate in Bar Exam, a mandatory examination required of all lawyers practicing in the country. When they take the bar exam, they will need to study, practice law and pass the exam. When they do pass the bar exam, they become licensed lawyers and may be eligible for state bar exam certification. State bar exams vary from state to state, check with your state Bar Association.Ask your lawyer what they specialize in.
Specialization within a field of practice is important to the client. An attorney who practices only divorce, criminal law, family law, or asbestos law may not be the best person to represent an oil rig worker who wants to sue his own oil company for chronic health problems resulting from years of working on the rig. Clients should investigate the specialization of lawyers before hiring them. If you're in the process of finding a lawyer to handle a certain legal case, ask for a free consultation to find out whether your lawyer specializes in that area.
Ask your lawyer about their professional conduct. Lawyers, like all professionals, must maintain a high level of professional conduct. A lawyer who engages in unethical conduct, such as lying or unethical behavior, is not appropriately qualified to practice law. Conduct that is harmful to the client is not professional conduct; however, conduct that is careless, reckless, or otherwise disappointing to the client is. Conduct that reflects badly upon the lawyer's ability to serve the client is an indication that the lawyer may not be the right person to handle the case.Lastly, when you meet with a lawyer it's important to ask how much legal advice they provide. You must learn about the legal system, so that you understand how to navigate it. Having legal advice doesn't mean that the lawyer will always choose the best course of action for your situation. Asking questions about the various legal options will help you get the best possible legal advice for your particular situation.