Hiring a good lawyer is challenging, especially when you don’t know how to properly evaluate them. This article discusses a few red flags to look for that can save you time and money when hiring a lawyer in Illinois, or in any state for that matter. Pay close attention to (1) Negative Google Reviews, (2) Initial Call, and (3) Image.
Why Google reviews, the Initial Call, Organization, and Image Matter When Hiring A Lawyer In Illinois
1. Negative Google Reviews
In the modern world, it is a red flag if the law firm does not have several positive Google reviews. Also, we recommend only hiring a firm with a 4.9 rating or higher. Negative reviews can show you a lot about the law firm you are considering to represent you. If the law firm’s rating is 4.8 or less, then you know immediately that the firm has several bad reviews.
5.0 rating does not mean a law firm has all 5-star Google reviews. Large firms with lots of Google reviews can hide the negative reviews amidst their high volume of reviews because Google rounds up. Don’t be fooled by this! A law firm with a 5.0 rating with 1,000 Google reviews can have 50 negative reviews and it will get rounded up from 4.95 to 5.0. Those 50 negative reviews could tell you all you need to know about their mistakes and disrespectful behavior towards their clients. Our office has helped numerous people who were first taken advantage of by an incompetent or immoral lawyer. It’s always better to find the right lawyer the first time because switching lawyers once the case begins is inconvenient and can be expensive.
How to evaluate negative reviews:
- Search google for the type of case you need help with, followed by “lawyer”, followed by your city (e.g. personal injury lawyer bloomington il)
- Click “Reviews”, and then select the menu option to select how you want to sort the reviews
- Select “Lowest rating” instead of most relevant, newest, or highest rating
- Read the reviews and judge for yourself whether the bad reviews and the law firm’s responses sound like the type of law firm you want to hire
**Caveat: Sometimes the bad reviews are unjustified. Some clients do not fully understand the time and cost of the legal process and thus may be difficult to please or may have unreasonable expectations. However, if there is a pattern of unresponsiveness, being motivated solely by money, lacking empathy, or a lack of professionalism in their responses to bad reviews, etc., then there may be a legitimate issue and you should not disregard the opinions of those past clients because you may have the same negative experience.
2. Your initial call will tell you a lot about hiring a lawyer at that law firm
The receptionist you speak with should have the knowledge to relay basic information about the law firm’s process for meeting with you. This person should be able to effectively gather fundamental information from you to evaluate whether the firm can handle your type of case. They should be able to tell you which attorney would best fit your needs and when that attorney is available.
If this is not your experience, the firm may be a little disorganized or staff may not have adequate training, which could result in other communication issues throughout your case.
3. Image is another important factor when hiring a lawyer
It is not always easy to evaluate this, but in general law firms that meet these criteria are usually clean and organized, with lawyers who are well-dressed, and have quality signage on their building.
If you see lots of papers and files throughout the building or in the lawyer’s office, this is a red flag. First, the courts require every document to be filed electronically so law firms should not have copious amounts of paper. Also, law firms should store documents digitally and back them up to multiple sources.
Further, when you are hiring a lawyer in Illinois, you should expect the person representing you to be meticulous about how your case is handled and how they conduct themselves so that no details are missed or forgotten. If that is not the impression you get when you meet with them, your instincts may be right.
Remember that your lawyer is representing YOU. Thus, the image your lawyer portrays is important because you want your attorney to have a good reputation, be viewed favorably by the judge/jury, and take pride in their work.
One final red flag is if the firm has a small office with cheap signage. In recent years, there has been a large increase in law firms that rent cheap office space in multiple cities throughout the country with cheap signage so that Google records the firm as being a local law firm. These firms are less likely to be accountable to their clients because the firms are not heavily invested in helping the people of any particular city. Once they have burned several clients, they pack up and try it somewhere else. Don’t fall into this trap! Make sure the lawyer you choose lives locally, has nice office space, and has high-quality permanent signage showing that if a problem arises the lawyer will be there to fix it.
If you are in the process of hiring a lawyer in Illinois, consider Koth Gregory & Nieminski
Koth Gregory & Nieminski (KGN) was established in 1990. The people in our office have lived in Bloomington IL or the surrounding area for all or most of our lives. So each case is personal for us because we care about the people in our community. Our passion for helping people is why we are committed to providing the highest quality representation in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
When you call KGN, an experienced assistant answers the phone, routine tasks are simplified, and your attorney is by your side guiding you every step of the way. With an experienced attorney who cares, you can relax knowing you’re in good hands.
We handle divorce, family law, personal injury, and estate planning, but these are just a few of the legal services we provide. Call 309-828-5090 or click here to see if we are the right fit for your case.
KGN is located in downtown Bloomington at 420 N. Main St., Bloomington IL 61701. However, we handle many cases outside of McLean County. We often represent clients in the neighboring communities of Peoria, Pekin, Pontiac, El Paso, etc. so we frequently go to court in Peoria, Tazewell, and Livingston county depending on the type of case. We offer appointments over the phone and via zoom so even if you are an hour away from our office in Bloomington IL, don’t let the distance bother you. Finding an experienced attorney who cares is worth it.
One of the biggest problems with hiring a lawyer in Illinois is the expensive attorney fees. Unnecessary attorney fees are caused by lawyers having the wrong motivations. They are either motivated by money, their image, or comfort all of which are bad for your bank account. To learn more about the cost of hiring a lawyer, click the article below.
https://kgnlawfirm.com/the-cost-of-hiring-a-lawyer/
To learn more about the initial consultation process, click the article below.
https://kgnlawfirm.com/beware-of-the-free-consultation/
KGN handles injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless and until we win your case if you were injured in a car accident, at work, or through someone else’s negligence. For most other cases such as family law, wills, trusts, criminal defense, etc., we charge an hourly fee. If your case does not involve an injury and you do not believe you can afford to pay an hourly fee, there may be some resources available. https://www.isba.org/public/cantaffordalawyer
If you are in the process of hiring a lawyer in Illinois, it may be helpful to read the articles below that correspond with your type of case.
Personal Injury Lawyer Bloomington IL
10 Best Injury Lawyers Bloomington IL
Lawyer For Car Accident Injuries In Bloomington IL
Car Accident Lawyer Bloomington IL
10 Best Divorce Lawyers Bloomington IL
Family Law Attorney Bloomington IL
Child Custody Lawyer Bloomington IL
Child Support Lawyer Bloomington IL
Hopefully this article was helpful. We hope you have a blessed day.