Once you have
selected an St. Louis, Missouri personal injury lawyer or medical malpractice
attorney, there are several steps you can follow to help your St. Louis
area lawyer work for you and to satisfy yourself concerning the quality
of legal services being provided. Here are some:
Be honest
with your lawyer; tell the truth. An attorney can't be expected to
give you well reasoned legal advice if the information you provide
is faulty.
Tell your
lawyer every fact that is relevant to the situation, even if it doesn't
appear to be in your favor.
Have your
lawyer analyze your case and give you both the positive and the negative
aspects.
Take your
lawyer's advice; it isn't given off-the-cuff. Don't waste your money
or your lawyer's time if you don't have confidence in his or her special
knowledge and skills.
Don't expect
your attorney to give a simple answer to a complex question. Many
legal problems cannot be explained simply. Be sure too that you understand
the technical language contained in wills, contracts, leases, etc.
Don't however, challenge your lawyer over every sentence on the page.
Keep your
lawyer fully informed on any new developments that might affect your
case.
Don't badger
your lawyer. Respect your attorney's time. Avoid phoning repeatedly
about petty matters. When you arrange an appointment, keep it. Remember
a lawyer has other clients who require attention too.
Feel as free
to talk over matters with your attorney as you would with your minister
or doctor. There are, of course, limits to confidentiality, such as
the expressed intent to commit a crime.
Ask your
lawyer to keep you informed about the progress of your suit or legal
problem. Remember he or she is retained to work for you.
Be skeptical
of attorneys promising certain results. Airtight cases just don't
exist.
Request copies
of all letters and documents prepared on your behalf.
Don't sign
any document or paper until you understand the full import of what
you are signing.
