Should you be uninitiated to the personality type of an attorney, then it can be difficult as a client to decipher the bad from the good or the professional from the sleazy operators.

 

By their very job description it is helpful for an attorney to be risk-averse, slightly pessimistic all the while personifying a singular focus on the targets and objectives of the case at hand.

 

As a client though, you should be in a position to notice some important red flags should they arise from the party that is intended to represent you and your interests. If these traits and characteristics do emerge, then action should be taken to ensure that the best possible candidate is standing up for you in a court of law.

 

Here is what you should be on the lookout for.

Hidden Bills and Fees

 

To begin with, an ideal attorney should always be up front with their client about the financial agreement that has been put in place. This is paramount on the part of the client because hidden bills and fees that later emerge illustrates a lawyer who is not working in the best interests of the party they are said to be representing. It is morally wrong to do so, but also raises serious questions about other conduct.

Lacking Authenticity

 

While bills and fees are tangible assets that can examined, the subject of authenticity is one of the great intangibles that is determined purely on a subjective basis. How an individual presents themselves and interacts with another is entirely down to their unique interpretation and the authenticity of an attorney can be difficult to judge without a series of consultations.

 

Ask some key questions to gauge their authenticity:

 

  • Are they approachable and illustrate a key understanding of the facts of the case?
  • Do they provide insight and strategy?
  • Have they outlined their working conditions with clarity up front?

 

Should they fail these benchmarks, then their expertise and personality is probably not an ideal fit for you.

Tardiness

 

Lawyers have a reputation for enjoying a drink or two once they are off the clock and while this is perfectly acceptable in moderation, representatives that become sloppy, tardy and cut corners place their clients in grave risk. Attorneys will likely have multiple cases occurring simultaneously and although certain consultations might run overtime, lawyers who continually fail to meet schedules and timelines should be put on notice.