Most lawyers are regular people just trying to help others and make a living while doing it. Legal ethical rules require a lawyer to be a “zealous advocate” for the client. Some lawyers do interpret this to mean that the only way is the hardball way. But that culture is slowly changing, and many areas of legal practice are much more amenable to a more collaborative approach that can save a lot of money in legal fees and help to ameliorate emotional upheaval often exacerbated by the aggressive pursuit of a conflict. (So many big words. Yes, I am a lawyer.)
Law school teaches us legal theory, how to issue spot, think analytically, problem solve, and do research. We learn how to actually practice law through on-the-job training. The most common categories are: family law (divorce and child custody), estate planning (powers of attorney, wills, and trusts), real estate; contracts; criminal law; personal injury (non-work related); worker’s compensation (work-related injury); social security disability; employment discrimination; and probate (post death, guardianships and conservatorships) However, this is not even close to an exhaustive list of legal practice areas.
It is important to hire a lawyer who has the experience and skill set to handle the issue you have. You have a right to, and should, interview the lawyer to make this determination and decide if you are suitable as a team, according to your personalities and/or values. Check the lawyer’s web site. You can learn how long they have been in practice, how large or small the firm is, and in which areas of practice the lawyer claims to have experience. I would be a bit skeptical of a lawyer who lists more than four or five areas of practice that are not logically connected. For example, probate, real estate, and estate planning are areas of overlapping law. Ask “how many [fill in the blank] cases have you handled in the last five years; can you explain your method of addressing my issue and how long it should take before I have a resolution; have you ever been in trouble as an attorney; explain your billing practices and how I will know how much this will cost me?” Try not to be intimidated by the fact that the person is a lawyer. You are the customer. If the lawyer gets arrogant or evasive, then perhaps you may want to move on to the next interview.
