Choosing the Best Attorney: A Guide for Florida Clients

So, you need an attorney. Maybe you have been sued or threatened with a lawsuit, need to file a lawsuit, or need legal counsel for a business decision.

Congratulations! If you have read this far, you are clearly serious about selecting the right attorney.

How do you choose the best attorney? A quick online search yields countless options. Are all attorneys essentially the same, or does your choice truly make a difference?

The attorney you choose can make a significant difference. Not all attorneys are equal. In fact, only a few are truly excellent in any given legal field. Your choice of attorney can determine whether you win or lose your case—even before you reach the courtroom. Choose wisely.

So, how do you choose a good attorney? There is no foolproof method. Over my career, I have selected or approved hundreds of attorneys for important matters and have participated in interviewing and selecting attorneys for judgeships. Even with extensive experience, I have made a few mistakes, but most choices have been good. Fortunately, there are key considerations that can increase your chances of hiring the best attorney.

First, understand that the stronger your case or the more important your legal matter, the more critical your choice of attorney. If the facts or the law are not in your favor, you are likely to lose—even with a skilled lawyer. Few attorneys can win when the law and facts support your opponent. While it is always important to have a good lawyer, in a weak case, even the best attorney may not be enough to secure a win.

Conversely, when the law and facts are on your side, selecting a strong attorney is essential. More good cases are lost by poor attorneys than weak cases are won by excellent lawyers. Put simply, a poor attorney is more likely to lose a strong case than a great attorney is to win a weak one. If you have a strong legal case, you owe it to yourself to choose the best possible attorney.

Before retaining a lawyer, it is often difficult to assess the strength of your case. This is why it is crucial to seek an excellent attorney—one who will provide honest feedback about your chances of success. Such candor can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress in the long run.

So, how does one choose a good lawyer? Here are key points to consider:

Character and Candor

Look for a lawyer who is honest and demonstrates integrity, even when no one is watching. To assess this, start with a Google search, which may reveal if an attorney has been disciplined or involved in questionable activities—matters you should discuss directly with any potential attorney. In many states, Avvo provides public information on disciplinary actions. In Florida, The Florida Bar’s online lawyer directory shows whether a lawyer is eligible to practice and any discipline in the past ten years. Beyond these initial checks, pay attention during your conversations: Is the attorney making promises that sound too good to be true, such as guaranteeing a specific outcome? Or is the attorney upfront and candid about the challenges, costs, and risks associated with your case?

Sometimes the best advice you can receive is not to pursue a case or to settle one brought against you. The best lawyers provide honest assessments, even if it means they do not win your business. Ask an attorney not only how to win, but also whether you should pursue or defend the case at all. An excellent attorney will guide you with integrity.

Experience

Experience is a key factor when selecting an attorney, but it’s about more than the number of cases handled. Some of the best attorneys focus on major cases—so an attorney who manages five significant matters a year may be more skilled than one who handles 200 minor cases. An attorney may also perform well across many cases or poorly on a few. While experience matters, sheer numbers do not tell the whole story.

When evaluating experience, consider whether the attorney has relevant expertise in the area you need—such as trial, appellate, or administrative matters. Does the attorney have experience in federal or state court? Does the attorney handle criminal or civil cases and represent plaintiffs, defendants, or both? Ensure your attorney has experience that aligns with your specific legal needs.

Next, ask whether the attorney has specific experience relevant to your case, especially if you need expertise in a specialized area such as tax law. Keep in mind that trial, appellate, governmental, and administrative attorneys often possess skills that transfer across multiple legal specialties. For example, an outstanding appellate attorney may not have handled your precise issue before, but will be adept at mastering new legal topics for appeals.

You should also consider whether your attorney has credentials that signal recognition among those skilled at evaluating legal talent. Judicial clerkships—especially at the appellate level—are highly competitive and prestigious, with hundreds or even thousands of applicants for each position. If your attorney has completed a judicial clerkship, it is a strong signal that their abilities were highly regarded by judges who work with many attorneys.

Another important factor is whether the attorney has held high-level public-sector positions with significant responsibility at the state or federal level. Such roles—such as serving in the White House, the Justice Department, or as general counsel or deputy general counsel at major federal agencies—often require selection by individuals who regularly assess legal talent. At the state level, positions in the Governor’s Legal Office or as general or deputy general counsel at key agencies also signal high regard, though the specific administration’s reputation may be relevant.

When assessing experience in private practice, consider whether the attorney has worked at major law firms with selective reputations, such as Hogan Lovells Cadwalader or Gibson Dunn. Working at a prestigious firm can signal a high standard of quality, as these firms often recruit from the top of law school classes. However, many excellent attorneys work at smaller firms. Keep in mind that you may pay a premium for the same quality of legal representation at a large firm due to higher overhead costs, while a smaller firm may offer comparable expertise at a lower rate.

Also consider the attorney’s level of responsibility and the caliber of clients they have represented. While most attorneys begin their careers assisting on cases, strong attorneys eventually assume primary responsibility for significant matters. Ask about the types of clients they have served and the roles they have played in those cases.

Review any reported cases involving your attorney, especially if you are seeking trial or appellate representation. While reported cases are not a guarantee of quality, most reputable trial and appellate attorneys will have them if they have practiced for a reasonable length of time.

Academic Excellence

The quality of the law school your attorney attended and their academic performance can influence the quality of representation you receive. Generally, attorneys who attended highly selective law schools and have accumulated significant relevant experience are likely to offer stronger representation than those from unaccredited schools. Graduating with honors, receiving “book awards” (awarded to the top student in a subject), and participating in law review are strong indicators of academic achievement. While none of these factors alone guarantees excellence, they are important considerations.

Reputation and References

An attorney’s reputation matters, but it is only as reliable as its source. Ask for referrals or recommendations from people you trust, especially those with experience working with multiple attorneys. Be cautious about relying on recommendations from those with limited exposure to legal professionals, as their standards or experiences may not provide an accurate reference.

Cost

Cost is an important factor when choosing an attorney, but it can be complex. While higher-quality attorneys often charge more, some less qualified attorneys may charge rates similar to those of top practitioners. Be wary of unusually low rates unless you understand the reason—lower fees may be justifiable for attorneys at smaller firms with lower overhead or for newer attorneys seeking experience. Conversely, be cautious of unusually high rates, especially for routine matters. Remember to look beyond hourly rates; a lower rate may not save money if it takes the attorney significantly longer to complete your case.

Meeting the Attorney

We used to recommend in-person evaluations, but COVID-19 changed how video conferences are used, so we no longer emphasize in-person meetings. Even the most qualified attorney may not be the right fit if you do not have a good rapport.

Caution Signs with an Attorney

These are things that suggest taking a second look:

• Agreeing to represent you without sufficient information or investigation.
• Not being transparent about the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
• Failing to clarify whether the attorney you are speaking with will personally handle your case, or if it will be assigned to someone else or referred to another firm.
• Not explaining both the risks and benefits of your options.
• Guaranteeing a win or promising a specific recovery amount.
• Not explaining how you could prevail or what legal standards must be met.
• Charging a rate that is significantly higher or lower than other attorneys without a clear explanation.

Congratulations on reaching the end of this guide. Your commitment to making an informed choice in selecting an attorney is truly commendable.

Talk to Us

If you would like to discuss a matter anywhere in Florida, call 850-567-8445, email Info@woodringlawfirm.com, or use the contact form on this page. Mr. Woodring’s background is described on our Attorney Information page.

Common Questions

How do I choose a good attorney?

There is no foolproof method, but there are key points to consider: character and candor, experience, academic excellence, reputation and references, and cost.

What are caution signs when hiring an attorney?

Caution signs include guaranteeing a win or promising a specific recovery amount, agreeing to represent you without sufficient information or investigation, and not being transparent about the strengths and weaknesses of your case.