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Questions to Ask When Choosing an Attorney

For any potential client searching on the internet for the top rated or best injury lawyer to handle a personal injury, there are a dizzying number of possibilities and law firms around the country. Any potential client with a personal injury claim must ask these questions when selecting a lawyer:

1. Is the lawyer active in state and national personal injury attorney organizations?

The biggest trial lawyer organization for personal injury attorneys is the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA, which recently changed its name to the American Association for Justice (AAJ), which holds regular seminars and conventions. Members of our law firm are active in this organization as it is a vital educational and networking source. Our vast experience in this area of law has earned us national recognition. Richard Shapiro has written a book-length treatment and discussion of railroad injury law which is in the nation's law libraries, published by West Group - the nation's largest legal publisher. Richard Shapiro, Jim Lewis, John Cooper and Randy Appleton are all active members of the AAJ, and Shapiro and Cooper have been elected officers of the Railroad Section. John Cooper, Richard Shapiro, Randy Appleton, and Jim Lewis are all active in the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. Jim Lewis and John Cooper have achieved the highest lawyer "rating" (A V) granted by the Martindale-Hubbell lawyer rating service. Richard Shapiro is "board certified" by the National Board of Trial Advocacy of Massachusetts, which requires stringent trial background and professional testing. Francis Hajek successfully tried an injury case resulting in the largest individual's personal injury jury verdict returned in Virginia history (as of 2000).

2. Has the lawyer handled major personal injury litigation in the region of the country where my accident occurred?

You should be able to locate this information from the attorney's website or from talking to the lawyer. With regard to our law firm, we cover the entire eastern region of the United States. We might not be the right law firm for a California case, but then again if the case arises in the eastern United States, you should take a careful look at our law firm's website. Our lawyers have obtained several record setting settlements or verdicts (As of date paid and/or date verdict rendered - see descriptions elsewhere on this website).

3. Does the law firm have investigators and the legal resources to handle my particular type of case? Does the law firm have investigators with necessary experience? Does the law firm maintain legal research files and networking sources? How do I determine this information?

The answer is by studying the law firms website and asking the right questions when you call an attorney. We employ full time and part time investigators unlike some law firms. We main a library of over 1000 prior court deposition transcripts and hundreds of legal research files from prior cases.

4.What is the lawyer's reputation in personal injury law?

By asking the questions above and by studying the lawyer's website, all of these questions can be answered satisfactorily. Some of the publications that "rate lawyers" don't really have any legitimate basis for the rating. A combination of word of mouth, plus the lawyer's results in the past, and various other intangibles combine to help a client make a decision. Please study the HSCLA website where we answer many of these questions and provide information to allow a reasonable, informed decision. Our firm was selected by an international society of select law firms, called Primerus—and we were the first Virginia plaintiff’s law firm selected.

5. What is the lawyer's legal background?

Many consumers don't ask questions about a lawyer's background or education. However, it can be very important to know. For example, at SCLA, Richard Shapiro, and John Cooper all were hired by the United States District Court to serve as law clerks (attorneys hired by Judges for a one-year term). A law clerk position is highly sought after by law students and is usually only obtained by top law students. It is considered one of the best training grounds for a future trial attorney, as the law clerk is in court every week with the Federal Judge and helps with drafting the Judge's Opinions and Orders as well. Naturally, all of our lawyers at HSCLA also have other significant legal experiences, but this should be considered by any consumer.

6. Does the lawyer guarantee results?

Consider the honesty, integrity, and ethics of a lawyer. No lawyer should guarantee you a specific result. You shouldn't trust a lawyer who would make such a promise. On the other hand, a solid track record, solid experience in cases similar to your own, and a record of integrity are what a consumer should look for in a lawyer.

Quick Contact

Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton, P.C.
1294 Diamond Springs Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Toll Free: (800) 752.0042
Phone: (757) 460-7776
Fax: (757) 460.3428

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