| Choosing a Lemon Law Attorney may look easy, but | | | | * Former Clients - From state senators, to judges, |
| to be certain of the right choice, it takes more than | | | | police, media personalities, professional athletes, |
| clicking a link of advertisements and search engine | | | | doctors, religious leaders, fellow lawyers, musicians, |
| results. Select the wrong law firm and it can spell | | | | union tradesmen, and most importantly, the average |
| disaster for your case and your wallet. But if you ask | | | | person and clients will come from all parts of society, |
| the right questions, accept nothing less than answers | | | | from diverse economic groups and from all segments |
| that can be backed up with fact, and promise yourself | | | | of society. Sometimes testimonials are available but |
| to make no decision until you are confident in doing so, | | | | often word of mouth is a great reference. |
| the chances of having a sour experience with a | | | | * Here are some questions you need to ask a lemon |
| Lemon Law attorney can be cut down dramatically. | | | | law firm: |
| When hiring a lemon law attorney, it is very important | | | | - How long has the lawyer been practicing law? |
| that you ask questions and not rely solely on | | | | - How long has the lawyer practiced Lemon Law? |
| self-promoting advertisements and websites. Here are | | | | - Does the lawyer have a license to practice in the |
| some items you should always consider: | | | | client's state? (Very important) |
| * Experience - How long has the company been in | | | | - Has the lawyer received any recognition, honors or |
| business? Don't go by the date on the website, check | | | | awards for work performed in the client's state? |
| the records. A company who has only been around | | | | - Has a successful verdict the lawyer tried ever been |
| for a couple of years may not have the proven track | | | | reported in a legal case reporter? If so, identify the |
| record that you need. For me, the risks are too high to | | | | case. (Read about us in our on-line newsroom). |
| be leaving it to inexperience. | | | | - When was the last time the lawyer received a |
| * Honors, Awards and Recognition - Check for | | | | successful verdict in a Lemon Law case? |
| references such as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars | | | | - Can the lawyer provide any references of other |
| in attorney polls conducted by Law & Politics | | | | clients, attorneys, or judges in the client's state? |
| Magazine,and SJ Magazine. | | | | - If my case cannot be resolved right away, and a |
| * Locations - Beware of the fake office! Try calling the | | | | lawsuit is necessary, where would it be filed and why? |
| local phone number or stopping by sometime to make | | | | - How is the lawyer compensated? |
| there is an office and real people. | | | | - Is the client advised in writing at the start of the case |
| Unfortunately, firms sometimes buy "addresses" to | | | | what their rights and responsibilities are? |
| look more established and gain new business. We | | | | - Is a mechanical expert utilized by the law firm to help |
| know of one firm that has no offices in many of the | | | | prove the case, and if so, is his/her involvement free to |
| states they claim to practice in. If you see a little | | | | the client? |
| asterisk explaining that these are "of counsel" locations, | | | | - What does the client need to do to assist the lawyer |
| it means they are not directly owned or operated by | | | | in a case? |
| the law firm. Be as wary of the "of counsel" lawyer as | | | | - Does the lawyer have a physical office within the |
| you would be of the "of counsel" surgeon. Limited | | | | client's state? |
| knowledge and lack of experience is often the | | | | - Is a lawyer and/or their staff available to speak with |
| hallmark of such arrangements and that could | | | | clients on a daily basis? |
| detrimentally affect your case. | | | | Even in law, there are questionable individuals and |
| * Credibility - In many states, lawyers are not permitted | | | | companies who are prepared to take your money and |
| to use the terms "expert", "specialist", or "premier" in | | | | may misrepresent your case. Having a lemon vehicle is |
| advertising because it gives the public an impression | | | | enough of a headache; the last thing you want is to go |
| that cannot be verified by objective proof. Sadly, the | | | | through more pain. Check credentials, ask questions, do |
| rules are not always enforced and some firms use | | | | a little research before connecting with a lemon law |
| them anyway. | | | | lawyer. |