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How to hire a law yer
legal assistant, go along with it. They are
key parts of your lawyer’s team, and time
spent with them could save your time and
Just remember that you are the client who is going to
the attorney’s and help make sure you get a
pay your money for legal services.
lawyer interested in your case.
When you go to the initial interview,
area) during business hours you will be
BY BRADLEY J. WOODWORTH. Esq
take copies of all documents, notices, con
given the names of three attorneys in your
tracts,
deeds and the like in any way in
area
who
have
said
they
are
interested
in
Please note that no two situations are
volved in your problem. Hie lawyer can
your type case. When you go through this
alike. fhis < olumn discusses general legal
disregard what is not needed, but cannot
service, you can be sure of three things: the
principles only. For specific advice to rely
work without the key documents. Be com-
lawyer will give you an initial consultation
on you must consult a qualified attorney.
pletly honest with the lawyer Do not try to
(usually 20-30 minutes) for a flat $20 fee;
o lawyer can be skilled in every area
the lawyer is a member in good standing of ! hide or leave out the ‘bad news” — it will
of the law or every type of case.
come out sooner or later And secrets make
the Oregon State Bar, and the lawyer has
You need to hire a lawyer who can
trouble between lawyer and client. Don’t
some interest in talking with * ‘cold ’ ’ refer
effectively represent your legal problem.
rals. It is up to you to interview these
have any.
But many people have little idea of how to
Ask the lawyer about his or her experi
lawyers carefully (tips below)
i
ence with your type rase, and their interest
• Alternative media. For a gay/lesbian in such a case. If being ‘ out” and gay is
supportive attorney check your local
important to you, or some part of your case
lesbian/gay and alternative press.
has a ‘ ‘gay theme ’ to it. or a lot of gay
people involved, you might as well talk
• Yellow Pages. The phone book has
go about hiring a lawyer, or are intimi
about that up front. It may not matter to
many pages of lawyer’s names and many
dated bv the idea. Herewith are some sug
you. but if it does < heck out the attitudes
eye-catching (and expensive) advertise
gestions on how to find a lawyer for you
you will be working with. Only when the
ments. Many good lawyers advertise, and
Most people sooner or later will need or
lawyer seems interested in your case and
many don’t. Many average and below
want to retain the services of an attorney to
you feel comfortable with the lawyer, ask
lawyers also take out big phone book ads,
help them solve a legal problem, enforce a
about the fee arrangement, billing and re
so don’t pick a lawyer from the ad size, or
legal right, or plan and guide the legal
tainer requirements (if any) Make sure
‘ ‘cute” ad features. Look for a lawyer who
aspects of their personal or business af
you understand what and how the lawyer is
appears interested in your type case if you
fairs. While choosing a first lawyer or a
going to charge you, and that you can
must use the yellow pages, but beware: the
new one can be intimidating, just remem
afford to pay the bill. If you cannot, the
listings under different headings in the
ber — you are entitled to have a lawyer
lawyer may lose interest in your case, and
book (civil rights, insurance) are just ad
competent in your type case, reasonably
want to withdraw & your attorney. When
ditional listings the attorney pays for. They
enthusiastic about it, and with whom you
you understand the fee arrangement (more
are not certified legal specialties (which do
feel comfortable. The first step in hiring a
about common ones in a future column)
not yet exist in Oregon), but do indicate
lawyer is to find a few lawyers to choose
and if you still feel comfortable with the
the areas of law in which the attorney wants
among. Some common ways of finding
lawyer, tell her or him that you would like
cases.
lawyers are:
to sleep on it. I recommend not hiring a
• Other advertisements. Some law
lawyer during the initial consultation It is
• Word of mouth. If a friend, collea
a big decision, so give yourself time to let
yers now have ads on radio and TV This
gue or family member has had a good
this person sink in If it still seems like a
experience with a particular lawyer, be
type of advertising is expensive, so it will
good idea in the morning, go ahead and
sure to get that lawyer's name! But don’t
usually lead you to a larger firm, or one
call back and form the attorney-client
go around asking, because people will of
that is rather aggressive. But some very
relationship.
aggressive lawyers handle a very large
ten tell you how great their lawyer is if you
caseload and clients who need a lot of
ask (so they'll not have to admit other
Once you have hired a lawyer, give him/
contact with their lawyer are occasionally
her time to do the job. try to listen carefully
wise) But unsolicited recommendations
frustrated with them. If you pick a lawyer
are very good sources of finding a lawyer
to the advice you get carefully read the
from such an ad. be sure you feel comfort
letters your attomev may send you and do
— if you are similar to the person making
able when you interview him or her.
the recommendation, and respect their
the things that are asked of vou. In the
judgement Do not listen to people who
many cases when all goes well, a good
Select two or three lawyers — no more
talk loosely in bars or other public places
result can often be reached for you, and
— and call to schedule an appointment. If
about their legal problems and their great
you will have survived your need for the
you go through lawyer referral service,
lawyer. They are not the type whose judge
serv ices of an attorney Sometimes all
you should plan to pay $20 for an initial
ment should be respected in such matters.
does not go as planned, and a future col
consultation; otherwise, be sure to ask
umn will talk about how to deal with prob
• Lawyer Referral Service. The Ore
what the charge will be when you set up
lems you might have with a lawyer you
the appointment (many of the phone book
gon State Bar operates a free lawyer refer
hired.
ads — and my ad in this paper — offer an
ral service. Any Oregon lawyer can sign
up to be on the referral list by payment of a
initial consultation for free) and go pre
The author is an attorney in private
modest fee. When you call 224-6580
pared to pay it. If you are screened on the
practice; he maintains offices in the Lloyd
( I -800-452-7636 from outside the Portland
phone or at the office by a secretary or
Center area.
•
l
. C oum
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Just Oui. 30. July. 1987
1644 N.E. Hwy 101
Lincoln City. Oregon 97367
992-2488
3029 S.E 2 1 st
Portland, Oregon 97202
(1 block north o f Powell Blvd.)
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phone 232-9051
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