Ralph Waldo Emerson

1. Referral: From another lawyer, or friends or family that you trust. Someone who has actually hired the lawyer, not just seen an advertisement for the lawyer.
   
   
2. Experience: Although this may seem obvious, I have heard of many lawyers who inflate their credentials to gain clients. Be sure the lawyer that you are interviewing has experience handling the type of cases you have.
   
   
3. Ability to Negotiate: I often refer to this as the ability to schmooze. (Definition from dictionary.com “To converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.”) This is very important, because the ability to win friends and influence people in the courtroom, in the clerk’s office, on the phone, with witnesses, wherever; is an invaluable skill. A lawyer, who can negotiate, can often get things done that others cannot.
   
   
4. Honesty: A lawyer should not guarantee the outcome of your case. They may say that you have a good case, but they cannot ethically guarantee that you will win. Additionally, you should feel like the lawyer is being honest with you. If you have hesitations, call someone else. There are no shortages of attorneys in Florida.
   
   
5. The ability to explain things in plain English: If you have questions, ask them. The lawyer should be able to explain anything in plain English, not legalese. You should understand exactly what you are getting, how the process works, and what the potential outcomes could be. If you do not understand, make sure to tell him or her. The legal process is confusing and difficult, which is why it takes 20 years of school to become a lawyer.
   
   
6. Your own comfort level: The lawyer works for you, not the other way around, so you should feel just as comfortable with your lawyer as you would with anyone else you hire. Trust your own instincts.
   
   
7. Price: This should be a consideration and just like anything else, you get what you pay for, within reason. If the lawyer has met the above criteria, and you can afford him or her, hire them. Then let them do the work. If at any time you feel like you are not getting the answers or results you think that you should be getting, tell them. Remember, they work for you.