How Do You Find A Good Malpractice Lawyer?

Q: I'm not well versed in dealing with lawyers. How does one find a (good) malpractice lawyer? I'm in the Dallas, Texas area so I sure I'd have many to choose from but, I don't know where to start. Also, in dealing with a malpractice lawyer do you initially set up a meeting to see if the case even has merit?

A: -I have found the Martindale-Hubbell listing service on the web. Do you recommend this or is there a better way to find very good lawyer? What do you look for when searching for a lawyer? How can you find out who's at the top of their field? - What's the Best Way to Find a Good Lawyer? The best way is the old-fashioned way: personal referral and word of mouth. If you know any lawyers, even if they don't handle your type of case, ask them for recommendations. Ask friends, family, clergy, people at work, union officials, club members, at the corner tavern or beauty salon. You could also ask for the name and telephone number of the company lawyer for your employer. Business lawyers very often know who the best matrimonial, personal injury or bankruptcy lawyers are in their area. And they can make an initial assessment of your case in determining who to recommend, and because of their relationship with the company, will try to see that you're satisfied. (Naturally, this doesn't apply if you need advice about a possible claim or dispute with your employer). If you're looking for a trial lawyer, ask for recommendations from friends and relatives who've recently served on juries. If you're looking for a real estate lawyer, call a title company and ask them who they use. For a domestic relations lawyer, ask the deputy court clerk in charge of domestic cases. Lawyers are the best source of information about other lawyers. Establish a relationship with a lawyer before

some big emergency comes up and have him or her do some little things for you, like prepare a will, handle a speeding ticket or a residential real estate deal, review a contract, form a closely held corporation, etc. Is he or she responsive? Understanding? Prompt? Does he or she explain things clearly? Does he or she keep you informed without being asked? If the lawyer doesn't know the answer, does he or she admit it and then go find out for you? Then, when you have a big legal problem, you won't have to rush out and interview a bunch of strangers. You've already got somebody you can trust. If he or she can't handle the big matter, he or she can find you the right lawyer who can.