For over twenty five years I have practiced law. I have had some incredibly difficult cases, difficult clients and difficult adversaries. I have also had great clients and admirable opponents.
I constantly strive to provide the best representation that I can; however, there are times when I am no longer asked to assist a client and I am not sure why. Is it because of the expense, personality issues, the size of the law firm, loyalty to others? Is it because the "other guy" takes the client out to dinner or buys tickets to Lakers game?
I don't know, but I think the following is a pretty good list to consider when deciding on legal counsel I hope it gives you some insight and help. As always, if we can be of assistance in North Louisiana or Northeast Texas, please don't hesitate to call day or night.
Key Criteria to Identify and Select Counsel:
Integrity (May also be referred to as basic honesty.)
Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. When you
make a habit of telling the truth, you don’t have to worry about
remembering what you’ve said. -- Mark Twain
Ethics
Hourly Rates
Understanding/Compliance of your corporate guidelines
Billing
Reporting
Retention Letters
Use of multiple firms in certain venues
Regional Counsel
National Counsel
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Initial evaluation and case plans
Periodic reports
Pre-trial evaluations and reports
Valuation/decision to try or settle
In-trial daily reports
BILLING REQUIREMENTS
Ethical Billing
Periodic billing time frames
Monthly
Quarterly
CASE STAFFING
Partner or Associate?
Partner to manage associate
Team approach
Partner
Paralegal
Associate
FEEDBACK FOR THE ATTORNEYS
Venues where you use multiple firms
Good or bad idea?
How to select case distribution?
Attorney Item
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