The Three R's in Choosing an Illinois Personal Injury Attorney

 Here are just a few things you should think about in choosing an injury lawyer. I like to think of them as the "3 Rs":

Responsiveness--Find someone who will get in touch with you promptly, return your telephone calls, emails, and answer your questions. Make sure whomever you select suits your personality and speaks to your level.

Reputation and Recognition--Find someone who is recognized within the legal community as an excellent and experienced practitioner. Additionally, double-check this attorney's reputation among fellow lawyers and their clients. Browse their website and look for client testimonials and case results.

Begin by determining whether the lawyer has malpractice insurance and a clean disciplinary record. All of this can be accomplished by visiting both "official" and "unofficial" sources.

I suggest utilizing the lawyer search feature on the Illinois Attorney Registration Commission website to confirm a lawyer is authorized to practice and carries malpractice insurance.

Another useful tool is the Avvo website, which features what fellow lawyers and clients have to say about a particular attorney, as well as other pertinent information, including a numerical rating scale.

Results and Respect--Research the types of cases and results obtained by a lawyer as well as client testimonials and endorsements by fellow attorneys. An excellent reputation, great reviews and trusted results trump expensive advertising any day.

One thing I always try to counsel people about in selecting an injury or workers' compensation attorney is to think about what type of person they like to deal with in a tense situation. As we tend to become emotional exactly in times of stress when we need to be less emotional, you need to have a lawyer who is selected based upon non-emotional and logical factors.

That is why I encourage you to do your homework, browse websites and blogs, ask around, and even talk to some lawyers before you actually need them. You will gain a greater understanding of what the cast of competitors out there looks and sounds like and tailor that information to your own needs and preferences.

View May 2011 Newsletter