Criteria for picking a lawyer?

[Titan]

I'm hoping that the forum lawyers and other forum legal 'experts' can help me out.

From my experience, when picking a lawyer for any purpose, it seems beneficial to select one who practices in the area where the case may be heard...for familiarity with Judges, other attorneys, court staff, etc.

Obviously, expertise is paramount, but in selecting a lawyer for a gun related issue, what do folks think about this aspect of selection?

Does it not matter much, or would lack of professional recognition within the local area, repesent a disadvantage to a lawyer coming from a different 'jurisdiction' in trying any particular case.

In other words, purely as an example, would a lawyer from northern or western MA be at a disadvantage trying a case on the Cape?

How should a gun owner evaluate location in selecting a gun rights attorney?

.

 

[Tim94gt]

I would say it is better to have a lawyer that specializes in Gun Laws.

That way even if he/she is unfamiliar with the people, he/she will know the law(s) and will provide you with a better defense

 

[Titan]

Thanks, Tim. I should have been more clear.

In my question, I'm assuming that any lawyer I picked for a gun issue would be a gun specialist.

I'm really trying to get at the issue of local versus distant.


For example an issue I'd be involved in would be most likely in Plymouth County (understanding jurisdiction is determined by location of the incident).
I don't know of any gun lawyers near me, so I'd be drawing from a distance.

I'm very curious about the impact of an 'outsider' (from the perspective of the locals) on the potential outcome of a case.

 

[sleeplessknight]

My personal criteria would be that they have names that end in "Cohen", "Arbabi", or "Langer".

 

[Tim94gt]

My personal criteria would be that they have names that end in "Cohen", "Arbabi", or "Langer".

+1,

I was saying that I would rather have an "outsider" that specializes in Gun Law than a Local that does not.

IMO There would not be an negative impact if you were to bring a non-local Lawyer to your jurisdiction.

 

[vellnueve]

I'd add Hickson to that list if you're in WMass.

 

[bostonasphalt2]

I'd add Hickson to that list if you're in WMass.

absolutely.

 

[Titan]

I'd add Hickson to that list if you're in WMass.

That's sort of my point.

Shouldn't I add him to my list because of skill, regardless of where I live, or is where I live significant in who I'd pick?

Let me try asking this another way...Should I pick the best dang gun lawyer of this forum based on closeness to Plymouth County, or should I be ambivalent about location and pick solely on skill/reputation?

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[Racenet]

That's sort of my point.

Shouldn't I add him to my list because of skill, regardless of where I live, or is where I live significant in who I'd pick?

Let me try asking this another way...Should I pick the best dang gun lawyer of this forum based on closeness to Plymouth County, or should I be ambivalent about location and pick solely on skill/reputation?

.

Who the hell cares where he/she comes from. Get the best lawyer you can in the respective field of the case.

For christ sake, that's a damn no brainer.

 

[vellnueve]

That's sort of my point.

Shouldn't I add him to my list because of skill, regardless of where I live, or is where I live significant in who I'd pick?

Let me try asking this another way...Should I pick the best dang gun lawyer of this forum based on closeness to Plymouth County, or should I be ambivalent about location and pick solely on skill/reputation?

.

Depends on whether he charges more for traveling

 

[Titan]

Who the hell cares where he/she comes from. Get the best lawyer you can in the respective field of the case.

For christ sake, that's a damn no brainer.

With all due respect, I asked the question because my experience tells me otherwise in other areas of the law.

I've seen lawyers from a different jurisdiction have a VERY difficult time with courthouse staff and judges who don't know them. I've seen such attorneys be treated with apparent disdain. I've seen the client take a real beating based on what appears to be very clear bias toward the 'outsider', while their local counterparts on the other side of the aisle are treated with great respect and deference.

My concern is, since many lawyers lean left anyway, that particularly in a gun law case where there might already be some animosity toward the client's attorney, that not being known would simply exascerbate the situation.

I think the question is legitimate, but hey, what do I know?

.

 

[vellnueve]

I think it's less of a deal in this arena because there are only a few attorneys specializing in firearms issues here, and all of those mentioned in this thread are well-known in their fields.

 

[Baystatesuks]

With all due respect, I asked the question because my experience tells me otherwise in other areas of the law.

I've seen lawyers from a different jurisdiction have a VERY difficult time with courthouse staff and judges who don't know them. I've seen such attorneys be treated with apparent disdain. I've seen the client take a real beating based on what appears to be very clear bias toward the 'outsider', while their local counterparts on the other side of the aisle are treated with great respect and deference.

My concern is, since many lawyers lean left anyway, that particularly in a gun law case where there might already be some animosity toward the client's attorney, that not being known would simply exascerbate the situation.

I think the question is legitimate, but hey, what do I know?

.

I think if you can choose local with an attorney who frequents the particular court you think you may be in, then that is the way to go. Judges (or justices) do in fact provide weight to the attorneys they have deemed to be more skilled in particular areas. A lot of it may come down to briefing on a particular issue, but when the issue is close, the judge will defer many times to the more familiar attorney's viewpoint (assuming it isn't just way off base).

At least that is my experience having been in district and superior court in MA and federal courts around the US. Federal courts are particularly more friendly to local attorneys than pro hoc vice attorneys.

 

[garandman]

Are you in MA? Assuming you're a member I'd ask the folks at GOAL if they have suggestions on your case.

 

[collie]

I agree with the assessment that attorneys known in a particular court will likely be given more credibility by the judges and administrators.

example: I did independent computer work for an attorney (he specialized in real estate). He was a former president of a county bar association and lived/golfed with the local judges. When we parted ways amicably (he said he could no longer afford my rates and had to look for "cheaper" help, but he did promise to pay me what he owned me), he stiffed me for ~$4K that he owned me. My Boston business attorney admonished me that I should never do work for attorneys w/o getting paid first as they know how to twist facts (and will sometimes lie) to defeat you in court on a collections issue . . . most especially when they are friendly with the local judges.

However, expertise is critical and not all attorneys are "equal" wrt skill and knowledge in particular areas. Lawyers are frequently taking on cases where they are "over their head" in critical knowledge of the issues.

example: My parents hired a local, well-known attorney to prepare their wills and a trust agreement to protect a sister (who was handicapped). Sounded good but when the state attacked me (Trustee) and the Estate, I hired a professional (Boston attorney who specialized in protecting the disabled) and learned that the attorney who created the trust agreement didn't know what he was doing!! That experience cost me $5K in legal fees to fight the State!

When it comes to finding a competent RE attorney, someone to do standard wills, etc. it is usually easy to find a competent local attorney. However in specialized areas like firearms law, you should IMNSHO select competence in this specialized area over "locally known" attorneys.

 

[Titan]

Are you in MA? Assuming you're a member I'd ask the folks at GOAL if they have suggestions on your case.

I am in MA ... southeastern MA.


I don't have a case yet. I know I could consult with anyone, regardless of location, but I'm looking for input to help choose a gun specialist for potential use down the road, if I ever have a need.

.

 

[Titan]

It sounds so far, like folks are saying local favoritism exists, but that expertise trumps that.

Thanks for the input.

.

 

[bostonasphalt2]

Are you in MA? Assuming you're a member I'd ask the folks at GOAL if they have suggestions on your case.

I wouldn't. That is not in the scope of their work IMHO.

 

[Half Cocked]

I would agree with you that a attorney who frequents a particular court and is respected can be more beneficial than an attorney from "outside". I see it everyday. Though this is more prominent in criminal cases.

When it comes to "firearms attorneys" who specialize in firearms laws, they generally have less experience in criminal law and therefore do not have the "cred" in the local courts as their cases are spread out and not contained to a specific court's jurisdiction.

If it is a civil "firearms" issue I would be more apt to get a attorney who specializes in firearms law regardless of his court "cred" unless of course one of these firearms attorneys also has the court "cred". All things equal the court "cred" helps.

If it is a criminal matter involving the use of a firearm (self defense, use of force situation, assault etc....) I would get a attorney experienced with criminal law.

Just my .02

 

[drgrant]

I did independent computer work for an attorney (he specialized in real estate). He was a former president of a county bar association and lived/golfed with the local judges. When we parted ways amicably (he said he could no longer afford my rates and had to look for "cheaper" help, but he did promise to pay me what he owned me), he stiffed me for ~$4K that he owned me.

Not to drift too far off topic, but the only time I've ever been stiffed doing work is by lawyers. With the exception of lawyers I consider personal friends, I won't do any work for them now without taking an up front deposit.

-Mike

 

[cb1]

My vote would be to give scrivener a call. If he's this ruthless on an internet forum I can only imagine how he is in the court room.

 

[vellnueve]

My vote would be to give scrivener a call. If he's this ruthless on an internet forum I can only imagine how he is in the court room.