Finding and picking a legal team isn’t the same rudimentary process as picking a toilet paper brand or a hair salon. Pick the wrong one to represent you in a case and you could end up losing not only assets and savings, but also suffer the indignity of not getting the justice you seek. Fortunately, it’s not rocket science either. Given enough time to research and vet candidates, you can assemble the best team to handle your case. Here are five tips on how to do just that:

Determine What You Need 

There are different practices that lawyers specialize in, from personal injury to commercial law. It makes sense to hire a Tampa personal injury attorney if you are currently dealing with a personal injury dispute at work.

Narrow Down to Prestigious Firms 

Prestigious law firms are the safe option, given that all other factors are equal. For a law firm to reach such a high level of prestige, they would need to win a large number of cases for their clients, which is a good first indicator that they know what they’re doing. Furthermore, keep in mind that the law firm you pick today will likely be the same team you’ll be using for future cases. Thus, it’s best to find one who you have rapport with. Avoid going after the first option with the cheapest rate.

Do a Background Check 

Your state’s lawyer disciplinary agency keeps tabs on lawyers whose licenses are currently suspended, and which ones are in good standing with the bar. Do a quick search on the directory of lawyer disciplinary agencies online and select the agency of your state. Always look at references, especially if you found the candidate through the web. You can also review the lawyer’s peer review ratings by visiting Martindale.com. These ratings serve as an unbiased indicator of a lawyer’s competence and moral standards. The rating is computed from the evaluations left by fellow lawyers and members of the bar. In addition, ask your candidates for references. A good and confident lawyer will provide contact information of their references outright.

Do In-Person Interviews 

Perhaps the simplest way to measure a lawyer’s competence is to meet with him/her face to face. Most lawyers will offer a free initial consultation that takes an hour or less. This is enough time for him/her to learn your case and for you to ask the questions you want to ask. A few important inquiries to make during the consultation include how many years of experience they have in that specific legal subject, how long they’ve been practicing for, their track record of cases won/lost, and how much they charge per hour. Another important question to ask is whether or not someone else, such as a paralegal, will be working on the case. Some lawyers, especially those who have their own firm, will be too busy to focus on any one specific case, so they hire and assign a paralegal to do a majority of the legwork; something you should avoid if you are paying top prices.

Look For Rapport 

Ask yourself “do I feel comfortable working with this lawyer?”. The answer has to be a definite “Yes” otherwise you should keep looking. Are you comfortable asking questions and do you feel like he/she genuinely cares about your case and your well-being? You want a Tampa personal injury attorney who actually wants to win you the case and get you the appropriate settlement amount you’re asking for or better. Are they well-groomed? Do they arrive on time when you have a meeting set up? Are your phone calls answered or does it go straight to voicemail?

Final Thoughts 

The best legal services cost money, but they pay for themselves by winning you the case and getting you the best possible settlement. Use the tips above to easily filter through the dozens of legal teams out there.