How do I select (pick) a workers’ compensation attorney? 

That was the question posed to me last week. Remember I'm from Iowa so my suggestings may not apply to you, assuming you're from some other state. Then again I could be right on.

I’m not sure exactly how to answer this question without appearing arrogant as opposed to simply trying to help, but it’s been asked before and it’s time once again to apply years of watching some get it right and other's live with a mistake.

Start off with who the lawyer has been in the past. Do you know the lawyers reputation for the work they do? Do you have a friend or co-worker you can speak to about their experiences? How about a friendly lawyer that is willing to talk and can vouch for a lawyer’s reputation. Like real estate, law is local; meaning laws are governed by the state, county and city governments; And since lawyers are licensed for matter such as these by state bar associations you need to know the local reputation of the lawyer.

Keep in mind one bad experience isn’t often times indicative of a ‘bad lawyer’, but if the lawyer is churning cases and not servicing the client there usually is a basis for the bad rap.

Does the lawyer write publicly and put their reputation for honesty on the line with what they write? If not, you have to ask why. And if they do write, then read what they've written and ask yourself if you like their style and the way they think. After all the two of you have to get along. I pride myself on saying what I believe my clients need to hear not necessarily what they may want to hear. In other words this isn’t a popularity contest for me. Like me or not you’ll get advice that is practical and hopefully accurate. But that won’t always be true because garbage in means garbage out; and if you haven’t told the lawyer all the facts, then his or her advice won’t really be totally accurate.

And check the Iowa Bar Association website to see if there have been legitimate complaints on file with publicly published action on the part of the bar. If there is, read the notice because not all ethical action indicates the lawyer doesn’t know what they are doing just that they’ve made a mistake at one time or another.

Now let's go to the movies for an example of a bad lawyer rebuilding his reputation along with redeming his soul. Remember Frank Galvin? He was an alcoholic ambulance chaser that during the winding trail of investigating a medical malpractice case found his soul and in the end did what was right for his young brain damaged client. He found himself by fighting the good fight and seeing the light as he fought for her and against the mighty Archdiocese of Boston that ran a large and powerful Boston hospital. Sit and listen to his closing argument because it says as much about him as it says about his case. And maybe that is why we trial lawyers just can't seem to give up on you even when you've given up on us and this system of justice.

And by the way can you name the then young movie star who is cast as a courtroom observer?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBD6FxrtJN0