Signs That You Have a Bad Lawyer

Those who are in need of legal representation obviously want to hire the best lawyer possible. However, those who have never hired a lawyer before may not know just what to look for. In this article, I’ll touch on some signs that you MAY have a bad lawyer.

Cheesy Television Commercials

Since it became legal for lawyers to advertise, there has been an influx of television commercials targeting car accident victims. While this of itself is NOT a sign that the lawyer is “bad,” it is certainly something a person needs to consider. The problem with choosing a lawyer based on a TV commercial is that these lawyers usually have a high case load, and thus pay very little attention to individual cases and clients.

Television attorneys usually are not going to be directly involved in the cases they accept; in fact, the firm is more than likely going to concentrate its efforts on obtaining an out of court settlement as quickly as possible. While this is certainly desirable in some cases, it is not usually in the client’s best interest.

Complaints and Grievances

Another sign that a lawyer may not be on the “up and up” is if you discover a history of disciplinary action. While a complaint or two should not be the determining factor when selecting an attorney, it is certainly a cause for concern. You don’t want to hire a lawyer who has been sanctioned or disciplined for illegal or unethical actions. It is also important to consider what the history with the Bar Association involves—if the action is valid as evidenced by documentation, an individual can save time and money by eliminating that particular lawyer from the list of potential lawyers.

Unethical Practices

It’s important to keep in mind not everyone files a complaint with the Bar Association - especially those who notice red flags before hiring a lawyer. When seeking legal representation, it’s important to know what signs may indicate unethical practices. For instance, a lawyer who will take any case regardless of its merit should be avoided. You don’t want to put your trust into a lawyer who isn’t ethical enough to tell you the honest truth about your chances of winning.

If the attorney encourages you to lie or exaggerate the circumstances surrounding the case, walk away and don’t look back. You NEVER want to hire an advocate who encourages you to commit perjury.

Bad Reviews

While ALL online reviews need to be taken with a grain of salt, a consistent history of negative reviews can be a clear sign of a bad lawyer. Be sure to check all of the top review sites (google.com, yelp.com, facebook.com, avvo.com, martindale.com) and read the actual complaints before making any decisions based on an online review.

Rasansky Law Firm
2525 McKinnon Street #550, Dallas, TX 75201

1-800-ATTORNEY (Toll-Free) | (214) 651-6100 (Local)