While having a disability lawyer is not necessary for your hearings, statistics prove that those who hire one, especially at the hearings, are more likely to receive benefits. Therefore, you may want to improve your odds by bringing along some council. However, choosing the right attorney is vital. Here are 5 things to look for when looking the perfect disability lawyer.
1. Professionalism
You want to hold your lawyer at the highest standard because they are essentially an extension of you. So, you want them to be professional. Are they prepared when they meet with you? Do they arrive to meetings and hearings on time? Are they easily reached and do they get back to you in an orderly fashion? Try to find council that meets all of these criteria.
2. False Promises
Don’t fall for lawyers who make grand promises of winning your cases no matter what. Instead, opt for council that will give you honest opinions of your case, especially if it can save you money. Nobody can guarantee a victory, but honest candidates should admit when clients will probably not need them to win the case.
3. Credentials
You should be able to ask prospective attorneys for their credentials before deciding to hire them. If they refuse to give out this information, than they may be hiding something. Through their credentials, you should look to answer the following questions to help you decide on the perfect lawyer:
* How long have they been practicing?
* Are they licensed in New Jersey?
* Do they continue their training and education?
* What do their statistics look like?
* How long have they practiced in your area?
The last question has to due with how well they know the judges in the area. Inside information about the judges can further help your case.
4. Special Knowledge
You will want a lawyer who is not only knowledgeable in law but in your particular disability as well. That extra knowledge can be extremely beneficial in your case. You should also make sure your attorney can take care of all your needs. For example, if you are looking for someone to represent you in a child’s case, you should determine if they are capable to do so.
5. References
In interviewing your potential attorneys, you should also ask for a list of references before you commit to one. People make false promises and statements all the time, so you should get a second and third opinion from past clients. Again, if they refuse, this can be suspicious. If they do not have too many references, they might be a new firm, which may not be the best choice. Moreover, you can try and google the firm’s name or the lawyer’s name and see if there is a google page on them because there may be references and comments about them. Do your research before you settle.
