Despite the presence of over eight thousand law firms in Jordan, with most concentrated in the capital Amman, finding a lawyer is relatively easy. However, making a wise choice requires careful consideration. In many aspects of our lives, a poor decision can often be rectified with a second attempt. Yet, when it comes to selecting a lawyer, a wrong choice can lead to disastrous outcomes, including losing your case. Therefore, several factors should be taken into account when choosing a lawyer, such as specialization, credibility, experience, effective communication, and other important aspects that can help you make the right decision for your legal interest.
The question of how to choose a good lawyer for your case is on the minds of all those involved. The criteria can sometimes be confusing and conflicting.
What are the things you should think about when choosing a lawyer for your case?
Certainly, if you need a lawyer, you will be looking for the best or the strongest lawyer for your case. You must ask yourself how to choose a good lawyer for my case. Whether you are in a financial situation, or you need to account with your former partner, or you have been subjected to harmful acts, or you have committed an act considered a crime by the law, or you want to start a business or financial project, or anything else. Finding a lawyer means you need help from another person to solve a problem that matters to you. Sometimes this choice may be difficult and may have significant consequences.
In this article, I will review points that you do not need to memorize and will remember at the first read. Here, I will discuss ten fundamental points for choosing a lawyer, which will make your choice correct, reasonable, and cost-effective:
First point: A better law firm:
Despite the existence of professional lawyers who have individual offices working independently, this type is often limited to a specific type of cases. However, it is best to choose a law firm that diversifies the specializations and experiences of its lawyers, because diversity of experiences means diverse solutions and therefore a greater ability to resolve any legal issue. The choice of a law firm is therefore a beloved thing and the result of it is better.
Second: Specialized lawyers in the law firm are better:
Certainly, the specialized lawyer will be better for your case, and in the past, you may have heard of a lawyer working in many cases. So, it would be useful to go to a specialized law firm that has qualified and trained lawyers in your case field. These are more capable of understanding the issue and finding a solution to it, and their advice will certainly be more accurate due to their constant insight and up-to-date information. They will also be better at negotiating with others on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome.
Third: The lawyer is calm and dignified:
Should the lawyer be fierce and aggressive with the other party? The biggest mistake a lawyer makes is slipping into hostility to become an opponent of his client's opponent, which deprives the lawyer of his balance in dealing with the other party and affects his performance, making him an opponent of the second party, which often has a negative impact on the case, as the successful lawyer must always be calm and dignified in dealing with everyone. Diplomacy in dealing with adversaries may be the most effective way to resolve complex disputes, and some lawyers who are calm often cause the other party to resolve the case, and the old belief that the lawyer must be offensive is completely wrong.
Fourth: Lawyer's Credibility
How do I know if this lawyer is the best? There are lawyers who are not as concerned about money as they are about credibility. It's best to choose an honest lawyer, which can be discerned by examining what the lawyer wants—whether they prioritize money and fees or success in the case. Does the lawyer provide consultation sincerely and honestly, or do they only present a positive image of the case without discussing potential losses? The issue of credibility can be revealed through a few inquiries about the lawyer's responses:
- Did the lawyer ask me detailed questions about my case?
- Did the lawyer understand the details of my case?
- Did the lawyer immediately ask me to sign the power of attorney?
- Did they then request fees or a portion of them?
- Did the lawyer inform me about the possibilities of winning and losing in a logical manner?
- Did the lawyer try to explain my situation in the case—whether it's complex, straightforward, simple, or difficult?
- Are the lawyer's answers logical and acceptable, or do they exaggerate and magnify the issues?
- Did the lawyer inform you of a reasonable timeframe for the case's conclusion, or was the answer unclear?
Fifth: Lawyer's Experience
Is experience a necessary element in a lawyer? Should the lawyer have extensive experience, and is experience measured by years of work? In reality, experience is an important matter. The term "experience" does not always refer to the number of years a lawyer has worked. You may find a lawyer who has worked for twenty years but handled only twenty cases, while another has worked for ten years but dealt with thousands of cases. Therefore, it refers to the quantity and type of cases handled, not just the number of years but the quality and difficulty of the cases, which undoubtedly provide more experience and deeper insight into legal matters.
Sixth: Fee Details
Should fee details be discussed with the lawyer? Yes, agreeing on the terms before signing the power of attorney is important and necessary. Both parties need to know their rights, so the amount of fees, how and when they will be paid, as well as the obligations of both parties should be specified. The lawyer should explain to the client the amount of fees required, and the fee agreement should always be read and understood by the client. The agreement should be clear and not contain terms that raise confusion or ambiguity.
Seventh: Response to Calls and Effective Communication
Is the ability to communicate with the lawyer necessary? As mentioned earlier, cases can sometimes last for months or even years. As the owner of a case, you must remain concerned about your case and wish to know what is new. Therefore, a successful lawyer must maintain effective and continuous communication with their client. Communication includes responding to questions and inquiries, whether through personal visits, phone calls, email, regular mail, or others. Some lawyers may not be adept at effective communication with their clients due to various reasons such as constant busyness or being overly famous. Therefore, a successful lawyer should always be in constant communication with their clients, be transparent and honest with them, and inform them of everything related to the case promptly.
Eighth: Case Follow-Up
Will the lawyer personally handle my case or will one of their assistants? This is a very important question. If you have entrusted a lawyer, you may have invested a lot of trust in them personally. However, you may not trust others. Therefore, it is better to agree with the lawyer from the outset on who will handle your case—whether it will be the lawyer personally, especially if your case is important and the lawyer has a special consideration for you (citing the strongest lawyer in Jordan), or if you have no objection to one of their assistants attending. The importance of this question lies in the fact that the difference in fees may be significant depending on whether you insist on personally appointing them or accepting one of their assistants.
Ninth: Lawyer's Influence in Law
Should the lawyer have influence or connections with influential people? Relying solely on a lawyer because they were a minister, the child of a minister, sibling of a judge, or for other reasons often raises the cost of the case without yielding any benefit. Indeed, depending on a lawyer's influence or the influence of those around them without legal competence often disappoints their clients and may cause resentment. The law always determines between opponents. Resorting to mediation and exploiting influence may be detrimental to the case and may cause it to be lost for this reason. Neither the lawyer alone nor their father is the greatest person in the world, for there are many who are more important and greater than them. God, the most glorious and exalted, is above all of them, and the advice is that the lawyer who says "I am the child of so-and-so" or "related to so-and-so" is the worst of lawyers in the courts, and reality always proves that.
Tenth: Ease of Knowing Case Details and Developments is Extremely Important
The best questions you can ask your lawyers are, for example, "Do you have a problem if I take pictures of the case directly from the court every period?" If the answer is yes, it is evidence of the lawyer's confidence in himself and his confidence in his good work, and vice versa. To ensure that you get the best possible outcome and that your case is a priority for the lawyer, always insist on following up with them regularly. It is appropriate to ask for a copy of your case file from time to time.
If you go to a lawyer, keep these ten points in mind so that you get the best lawyer to represent you in your case.