Q: How can I find a good lawyer? I am willing to pay. Can you recommend someone?
Thank you, Katherine
A: Although I can’t recommend a lawyer, I can provide a strategy to locating one.
Locating a lawyer who is willing to handle your case can be challenging. There are a number of avenues you can pursue to locate the right attorney.
Personal Referrals
Talk to your family or friends for a referral. Ask them who their lawyers were and what they think of them.
Online Directories
Nolo’s Lawyer Directory http://lawyers.nolo.com/
The publishers of Nolo’s Lawyer Directory verify that all listed attorneys are in good standing with the state bar, and that they have not recently been disciplined. All attorneys provide detailed information about their educational history, legal specialties, fees, and personal philosophy.
State Bar of California http://www.calbar.ca.gov/
Posts member record information, including information regarding attorney discipline. Users can search for a "certified specialist" in these specific practice areas: appellate, criminal law, estate planning, trust and probate, family law, immigration and nationality, personal and small business bankruptcy, taxation and worker’s compensation. Click on "Public Services" then on "finding an attorney for legal advice" to read the State Bar’s guide on how to find an attorney.
Martindale-Hubbell Directory http://www.martindalehubbell.com
Best known for the national directory of attorneys, this site contains a searchable database by attorney’s name, location and/or area(s) of practice.
Lawyer Referral Service
Sacramento County Bar Association Attorney Referral Service http://www.sacbarlawyer.org
For $50 you can receive a 30 minute consultation. The Lawyer Referral Service is a nonprofit service sponsored by the Sacramento County Bar Association. You can request a referral either by telephone or email.
Advertisements
You also could check the Yellow Pages, newspaper advertisements or the Internet in your search for an attorney. Not all lawyers choose to advertise in the Yellow Pages. Lawyers may use ads to list their fields of law.
Print Resources
You can always do some research at the Sacramento County Public Law Library http://www.saclaw.org. There are numerous print directories and friendly reference law librarians available assist you.
