How to choose an attorney?

[bestoutwest]

Is there a referral network or something to go to? There are so many listed in the phone books, I'm baffled as to who to choose. A few of my clients are attorneys, but I wouldn't feel comfortable using them. A couple of my friends are attorneys, but again, I wouldn't feel comfortable with them. (mostly because I don't want to share personal or business information with them)

I'm looking for an attorney for personal things (wills, etc) and for my business purchase, which will happen next year. I understand these likely won't be the same person.

Thanks for any help!

 

[marcy]

Go to martindale.com. It is a nationwide listing for attorneys. It will list their firms, education, what they specialize in.

Marcy

 

[nancy324]

Edie,

I am an estate planning attorney in New York. If I were looking for an attorney, I would look for a law firm that can handle all of my matters for me. I work for a small/medium firm (~30 attorneys)and each of our attorneys as an area of expertise. So, for example, we can handle a client's real estate closings, estate planning and business planning, and all with a high level of expertise. (Whatever you do, I would avoid a "general practitioner"). The attorneys can work together, get to know the client better and have a more integrated approach towards the client's matters. (Also, since all of the information is in the same place, you could even wind up paying less.)

The most frequent mistake I see clients make is to not realize how closely related their business, estate planning and real estate matters are. In your case, for example, how you hold title to your business and how you structure your business will have an important impact on your estate planning.

Hope this helps point you in the right direction.

-Nancy

 

[dianet]

I work at a large firm in Houston. I agree that you should go for a small, medium sized firm as opposed to a solo practioner. Generally they have better quality attorneys (not always, but in my practice the solo guys just don't have the resources and time to handle everyones case effectively). But be aware that the bigger the firm, the higher the cost usually.

 

[bestoutwest]

Thanks for the info! So it sounds like I should look for a trustworthy, reputable firm first, then within that firm, find attorneys that specialize in each particular area.

Thankfully our community is fairly small (120,000), so the firms tend to be smaller - aboout 20-30 attorneys.

 

[bestoutwest]

>Edie,
>
>I am an estate planning attorney in New York. If I were
>looking for an attorney, I would look for a law firm that can
>handle all of my matters for me. I work for a small/medium
>firm (~30 attorneys)and each of our attorneys as an area of
>expertise. So, for example, we can handle a client's real
>estate closings, estate planning and business planning, and
>all with a high level of expertise. (Whatever you do, I would
>avoid a "general practitioner"). The attorneys can work
>together, get to know the client better and have a more
>integrated approach towards the client's matters. (Also,
>since all of the information is in the same place, you could
>even wind up paying less.)
>
>The most frequent mistake I see clients make is to not realize
>how closely related their business, estate planning and real
>estate matters are. In your case, for example, how you hold
>title to your business and how you structure your business
>will have an important impact on your estate planning.
>
>Hope this helps point you in the right direction.
>
>-Nancy


Nancy,

Thanks! I knew you would have a great response!! I wouldn't have really thought about the relationships between business and personal, but that's a great point. Now, if only you were closer!!:7

 

[nancy324]

"Nancy,
Thanks! I knew you would have a great response!! I wouldn't have really thought about the relationships between business and personal, but that's a great point. Now, if only you were closer!!"

Edie, thanks so much! You are very kind.

I just wanted to mention that I agree with Diane. Big law firms are too expensive, and I would also steer clear of sole practitioners. I would get some recommendations from other business owners or friends for a small-to-medium-sized law firm in your area.

-Nancy

ETA: The creme de la creme of estate planning attorneys are fellows of an organization called ACTEC. The only way to become a fellow of ACTEC is to be recommended by other attorneys. You may want to check their website to see if there is anyone near you: http://www.actec.org/public/roster/search.asp
You may have to pay more for an ACTEC fellow though.

 

[dlavie]

If you trust a friend who is an attorney say this,

I have a legal matter that needs looking into and it's a sensitive matter that I don't want to burden our friendship with, we've been friends for a while and I trust your judgement. Could you refer to counselor that I'm not so familiar with?

dave