Depending on your situation, hiring a lawyer to represent you may be one of the most important things you will ever do in your life. Most of people do not have an attorney n the family, or even know one for that matter. The very nature of situations requiring the hiring of a lawyer, are very stressful. Exacerbating that stress is the fact that most of know little to nothing about what makes a good lawyer.

As far as we know, when we walk into the court room, or into arbitration, with our lawyer they may have already sold us down the road. Not all lawyers are good and ethical people. Moreover, not all lawyers are winners. That is the scary part, how do you know that you are hiring a representative that has your best interest in mind. How do you know you are hiring a representative that will give his all, for your case.

Here are some basic characteristics to keep in mind when hiring a lawyer.

1. Is he or she well known and liked in the community? Someone that is well known in the community has deeper roots and is less likely to do something to jeopardize their community standing.

2. Do they hate to loose. Someone that hates to loose is less likely to sell you out. Someone that hates to loose makes winning a personal issue and are more likely to fight to the bitter end to win. And, threat is what you want someone that will fight for you, your rights, and your cause.

3. Are they qualified to represent you in this case. Baring some special reason you would not hire a corporate lawyer to represent you for a divorce case. By the same token you wouldn't hire a lawyer that was only recently a real estate lawyer and now changed to criminal defense to represent you either. You want, need, good solid experienced representation.

4. Are they from the local community? Having grown up in the surrounding community they are more likely to know the right people to help in your case. Don't discount out of town lawyers. Just realize that in general a local native will probably have more to offer along the line of connections.

5. Are they going through a divorce, bankruptcy, or some other negative life altering stage? This is a bit controversial. But reality is that when we are going through negative life altering experiences like a divorce, bankruptcy or death of a close family member, we are not as focused as we should be. Remember your lawyer has, if not your life then, you future in their hands. If you ask you may be told that it is none of your business. But, in reality it is.

When you are interviewing someone to represent you these are some of the questions you will wan to ask them. Looking at these characteristics will enable you to gage, in a general fashion a lawyers ability to properly represent you. Just ask the questions. With the answers you will get a good feel for how well you can trust them to do what they are supposed to.