For Attorney research, my old friend Brett Trout wrote:

I would echo Kevin O’Keefe’s suggestion that you do a blog search. While all of the other methods might get you a great attorney, the attorney might not be great for you personally or for your particular situation.

A blog lets you see who the attorney is, what their area of expertise is and whether they might be a great fit for you. Blogs are about transparency, they let you see the real attorney. If your attorney does not have a blog, I would be thinking “Why don’t they want me to know more about them?”

And from Myles Alderman:

The yellow pages are NOT a good way to find a lawyer. You should look for a lawyer with the ability to handle your legal matters well and the time to give you the attention you deserve. Recommendations are a good place to start IF you know people who are in a position to provide meaningful evaluation of the lawyer. Profiles posted on a website may provide some useful information. When hiring attorneys that we do not have prior experience with, I prefer to see evidence of solid respect by the lawyers who know that person. One widely recognized peer review rating system is the one provided at www.martindale.com. Generally, we will not recommend lawyers who do not hold at least a BV rating. But remember, the best lawyer in the world may not be right for you, if either he/she can’t give you the time you need or if there is a “disconnect.” Interview the lawyer, ask questions and feel free to not hire a lawyer if it doesn’t feel right.

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Frank Supik:

I would echo the sentiment that talking to your network is a great way to find an attorney that will suit your needs and budget — but one important detail is to think carefully about your problem so that your network can direct you to the right candidates.

What are your business needs and what are your desired outcomes? Are you trying to form a business? Then you will want an attorney that specializes in corporate affairs. Is somebody threatening to sue you for breach of contract? Then you would want a business litigator.

In other words, the “right” attorney may differ depending upon the situation.

Beyond that, chemistry (noted below) is an often-overlooked factor. Your attorney really needs to know all aspects of the issue in order to be of best use to you. To me, that means that it helps if the client is forthright about the strengths and weaknesses of their position. If you don’t have the right chemistry, you might not be as forthright with your attorney — and that can create problems down the road.

Robert Geurden wrote:

Good grief, you need a criminal defense lawyer, a med. mal. lawyer AND a tax lawyer? How much trouble have you managed to get yourself into? :-)

Several people have provided a number of good sources (state bar, Martindale, referrals, etc.) Once you’ve gotten a few names, I suggest that you interview the candidates. Legal fees can add up quickly, so you want someone who is both technically competent and can work in a manner that is compatible with your work style.

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