The Value a Well-Established Lawyer — and of Meeting Them First

In the legal world, experience and reputation really matter. Judges get to know the attorneys who practice in their courtrooms. Judges are human beings and so they have their preferences. They may appreciate the way one attorney handles themselves in court more than another. As a client, you want to be sure that the family lawyer or law firm you choose is a well-known and respected advocate.

When you find a lawyer you think you want to hire, it’s time to take things to the next level. Go from searching online to talking to the attorney in-person. Don’t be intimidated by the fact that they are a lawyer and you aren’t. Instead, think of it like a job interview, where you are the hiring manager and the attorney is the candidate.

To get the most out of your initial meeting with a potential divorce attorney, prepare ahead of time and be ready to drive the conversation:

• Share your story — Be willing to share basic biographical information about you and your family, things like names, ages, jobs and other items. More than that, it’s very helpful for lawyers to hear the story of your relationship with your spouse: how long you’ve been together, the problems you’re facing now and any special circumstances. You can even write things down and bring them to the meeting.
• Ask questions — The lawyer you’re considering should be ready to share their own story, too, and you can ask questions to prompt them to do so. Ask about the history of the law firm, the attorney’s experience handling cases like yours, what kind of approach they think they would take in handling your case and anything else you want to know. Pay attention to the answers. Are you feeling comfortable and satisfied with the answers or is something not clicking for you?

At the end of the day, the attorney-client relationship is exactly that — a relationship. You are going to have many conversations with your lawyer about sensitive aspects of your life, so you want to be able to trust them. Likewise, the lawyer needs to know that you’ll be honest and truthful in sharing information, because building a good case requires good information. If you hire a lawyer without meeting them first, you’re missing a chance to lay the foundations for a strong relationship.

Bryan L. Salamone & Associates, P.C. is home to a team of highly experienced Long Island family law attorneys. We would be happy to meet with you, learn about your situation and explain how we can help. Please call 1.631.479.3839 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.