When navigating a divorce, the choices an individual makes about legal representation is the first of many important elements of a case. Ellicott City, MD is home to many law firms and divorce lawyers that can represent those going through a divorce, but selecting good representation from among the options can be pivotal to your case.
To make an informed decision, be sure to evaluate all aspects of a firm or specific attorney, from their previous history in divorce proceedings to their fee structure and more. Discover how to evaluate your Ellicott City, MD divorce attorney’s track record to confidently select the best legal representative for your case.
Check Online Reviews for Divorce Lawyers
One of the first places that most people check when evaluating a potential divorce attorney is their online reviews. These can be found under the firm’s name, though some attorneys will operate independently and may host reviews on legal-specific sites.
Read a wide range of reviews to grasp the full picture, and take note of trends; if all negative reviews point to the same issue, it is likely that future clients may face the same problem. Similarly, multiple positive reviews pointing to the same behaviors bode well for consistency in this area in the future.
Look for important qualifiers, such as punctuality, a sense of care, attention to detail, and prompt or simple communication. It is important to remember that all cases are different, and online reviews may not accurately reflect the specific details.
Check Peer Ratings
Clients are not the only people with whom attorneys engage and make impressions. Some of the most valuable insight about an attorney’s track record can be gleaned from other professionals in the field.
Resources such as Martindale-Hubbell can provide peer reviews for divorce attorneys in Ellicott City, indicating what other legal professionals have noted about working with the attorney you are considering.
Good peer reviews will praise attributes such as ethics, thoroughness, and critical thinking in strategically representing clients before a court.
Check the Attorney Disciplinary Board
In Maryland, the Attorney Grievance Commission and Office of Bar Counsel is responsible for overseeing the behavior of legal professionals barred from Maryland practice.
If you have identified a divorce attorney you are considering collaborating with, be sure to check the disciplinary board to make sure they are not listed. This will clarify whether they have had grievances filed against them in the past, which is an important factor to consider when deciding whether to work with someone.
Previous clients may file a grievance against an attorney, as may judges and other attorneys. Maryland requires that lawyers abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct, which clarify how they engage with clients and compel them to adhere to ethical standards.
Violations of attorney client privilege or accepting cases in which there is a conflict of interest are just two of many potential grievances that may be filed against a professional. In the case of divorce attorneys, one example of an attorney client privilege grievance may be representing a wife during a divorce and then agreeing to help her husband during the same divorce.
Ask for Previous Case Summaries and Outcomes
Attorneys are bound by a level of confidentiality for their clients and cases. However, they should still be able to provide an overview of cases they have worked on in the past and the results they have seen in broad terms.
Look for divorce attorneys who have seen frequent success in the past and who have represented clients in situations similar to your own. Divorce cases are each unique, and it is useful to collaborate with a professional who has found success in similar contexts.
Schedule a Consultation
Once you have done research and narrowed down the potential attorneys with whom you are considering a professional relationship, the next best step is to schedule a consultation with your top choices.
Determining whether your relationship will be a success is best accomplished by speaking directly with the attorneys you are considering and sharing details of your case.
You can learn more about an attorney’s track record in other Ellicott City divorces by speaking with them during a consultation. They will likely be able to provide more specific recommendations and historical data after learning the unique details that characterize your divorce.
Seek Divorce Assistance from Divorce Lawyers You Can Trust
As you evaluate your Ellicott City, MD divorce attorney, it is important that you are confident in their guidance and professionalism. Using the tools and resources mentioned, clients can evaluate the professionals they are considering prior to the divorce proceedings beginning in earnest.
The attorneys at Milstein Siegel assist men and women with the challenges of divorce, from navigating high asset property division to establishing fair treatment in custody arrangements. Contact Milstein Siegel to schedule a consultation and learn more about our firm’s track record of success.