If you’re on the market for an attorney, deciding where to start can be a bit nerve-wracking. Whether you’ve never had an attorney before or you need to change because your previous attorney is no longer in business, is deceased, or is not meeting your needs, your decision will have a great impact on the outcome of your legal needs. Here are a few tips on selecting an attorney in Massachusetts.

1 – Check Areas of Practice

First, you will need to find an attorney that practices the type of law that you need. For instance, if you’re purchasing a home, find a real estate attorney. If you have a personal injury case, find a personal injury attorney. Using the right type of attorney ensures that he/she has the right background and experience in that particular field.

It is true that any Massachusetts attorney can practice law in the state. So, you can technically use a corporate attorney for your real estate closing, for instance. However, will that attorney know what clauses are important in Massachusetts real estate contracts to protect you against common issues? Will they understand the industry in-depth and be proactive in ensuring a smooth closing. Attorneys who specialize in specific fields gain valuable knowledge from past cases and transactions. This first-hand experience is critical to the level of service that you will receive. Therefore, it’s truly in your best interests to select an attorney that works within the right area of practice.

It’s also important to know that some attorneys have a single area of practice while others have multiple. Selecting one with multiple competencies can be useful since he/she can cover many of your needs. It also gives you an opportunity to build a stronger relationship with your attorney.

2 – Review Their Background

Another tip for selecting an attorney in Massachusetts is to review the background and experience of that attorney. As we mentioned above, experience is critical. Here are a few things that you may want to learn:

  • How long has the attorney been in business?
  • What type of education does he/she have?
  • Has the attorney received any special recognition or awards?
  • Does the attorney have any special past experience that may enhance his/her knowledge base in a particular area of practice?
  • What staff/support structure does the attorney have in place?

These are just a few examples of questions that you can ask. Be sure to ask your own questions related to your specific legal needs.

3 – Visit Their Website

An attorney’s website is a great source of information. Not only can you get answers to some of the above, but it also gives you a sense of how that attorney operates. What types of information does that attorney provide? How is the information presented? Is the attorney tuned in to current events and issues? Use websites for preliminary research on an attorney, but remember that they may not tell the full picture.

4 – Interview Candidates

One of the most important tips on selecting an attorney in Massachusetts is to meet and interview candidates. You should be comfortable with any attorney that you hire. You may want someone with a certain personality of set of characteristics, and an in-person meeting is the only real way to see this. Don’t skip this important step, especially for legal matters that require a long working relationship with your attorney.

More on These Tips on Selecting an Attorney in Massachusetts

Full disclosure,… we are attorneys providing tips on selecting an attorney in Massachusetts. So, we obviously have certain feelings about the topic. Use the above as a starting point and supplement it with factors that are important to you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can answer any questions to help you decide whether Martino Law Group is a good fit for your legal needs. Our offices are located in Melrose, MA and Haverhill, MA. We cover several different practice areas and are licensed in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire.