This article will give you a helpful map of the honors and awards that you should be looking for as you consider an attorney’s resume and whether he or she is the right person for you. This will tell you what to look for and the red flags to avoid in analyzing an attorney’s success and history.
- Look for Past Successes. An excellent experienced attorney will have a long history of past successes. This is likely the type of success that you want to give the most weight when comparing attorneys because success in your particular type of case is likely to be the most relevant. Look for a “Result” tab or “Successes” tab on the attorney’s website. This will give you an indication of the types of cases the attorney has handled. You will also get a feel for what a successful outcome in those cases looks like to him or her.
- A disclaimer on past successes is a good thing. Typically, an attorney will have a disclaimer that states something to the effect that a success in one case does not guarantee a success in your case. The disclaimer itself is in indication that the attorney is honest and ethical. An attorney who promises you a particular result should be viewed with skepticism because no two cases are ever identical.
- Look for Relevant Experience in Other Roles. Look for experience that is relevant to the type of case you will engaging the attorney to handle. For example, in criminal law, an attorney who has been on both sides of the case can have a unique perspective that can be helpful to you. For example, a defense attorney who also worked as either a prosecutor or as a police officer may know the system from the inside out. Similarly, a family law attorney who has experience as a guardian ad litem, victim advocate, or some other role in the court may be able to draw on that broad exposure to assist you more effectively.
- Red flag. Experience in other roles can be very effective in building an attorney’s skills, but be cautious of someone who has very recently switched to the area of law you are interested in. An attorney whose recent experience is relevant to your case is likely more ready to represent you than one who just barely switched to your area of law.
- Clerkships can be prestigious and also give an attorney insight into the court system or the political system that the attorney wouldn’t otherwise gain from just practicing law alone. Look for clerkships on an attorney’s resume, and you may give more credence to clerkships that are with judges in California or your county.
- Law School Awards and Honors. Awards from law school may be in the far past, but they give you an idea of the personality type of the attorney. Look for participation in law school extra-curricular activities, such as Moot Court or Law Review or clerkships completed during law school.
- Law-Related Memberships, Community Awards, and Community Service. You will likely want an attorney who is well-respected in the legal profession and the community. Look for memberships in legal organizations, because these show an interest and connection to those legal specialties or groups. Look for community awards because these indicate that your attorney has accomplished goals that are above and beyond the norm. Consider community service that has been done by your attorney because those may indicate a personality that is committed to helping others.
