How do I choose a good bankruptcy attorney? 18 Answers as of February 09, 2011

Number one is to ask your friends and associates for a referral. Look for an attorney who only handles bankruptcy cases and is a member of NACBA, ABI, and other local bankruptcy attorney associations. Then interview that attorney. Ask that attorney how many cases he/she has completed to discharge. Whether or not he/she has been disciplined by the bar associations. Ask lots of questions. And beware of any attorney who gives you a 15 minutes consultation and pushes a retainer agreement in your face. This is a very important decision and take your time choosing the right attorney for your case.

You should meet with the attorney who should not charge for this consultation. Then make sure you question the attorney about your particular situation and make sure you are comfortable with their interaction with you.

Not a question of law, more a matter of judgment and your circumstances. If you have complicated debt and property issues, you need a more experienced attorney. If you have a simple case, you can go more by price.

Look for recommendations of other satisfied clients. Look for any history of complaints with the bar. Check around, and request a free, in-person consultation (any good lawyer will give one). See what you think, and make an informed decision before paying your money!

I suggest several things: First - make sure he/she have been handling bankruptcy cases for more than a few years. Second - make sure the firm offers a free consultation. Third - make sure your interview is with the attorney and not a law clerk, paralegal or other non-legal professional.

First, you need to check to make sure the attorney has adequate experience in bankruptcy, a solid education and is honest and ethical. The attorney does not need to have 50 years' bankruptcy experience but it should be at least three to five years. You should check the attorney's record by going to the California Bar website to see the lawyer's educational background and if the attorney has any disciplinary record. Stay away from lawyers that have been disciplined by the Bar, particularly if it happened recently.

Second, you need someone who practices bankruptcy law in the area where you live since the attorney should be familiar with the trustees and judges that will be assigned to your case as well as the local customs and procedures.

Third, and most importantly, you need to hire an attorney that you feel you can trust and with whom you can communicate freely. If you do not feel comfortable talking to the attorney or you have problems understanding him or her, then you need to find someone else. Your personality has to match your lawyer's personality for you to feel comfortable. It is a very personal and confidential relationship that can last for a long time and must remain good in case of complications (which happens often in legal cases).

In effect, you are entering into a partnership with someone to represent you and you must have the confidence that the person can and will represent you properly. The amount of the fee is always important but selecting a lawyer just because he or she is the cheapest lawyer may be the worst mistake you can make. How you choose a lawyer is not any different than the way you should select a doctor, accountant, real estate agent or contractor who is going to provide a personal service of major importance in your life. I also want to mention that once you hire a lawyer you must be ready to follow his or her advice, cooperate fully and pay the fees and costs promptly so that the relationship remains good. Lawyers, like any other professional, will do a lot more for clients they like than the ones that become a pain.

Good question. You want to check obvious things like how long the attorney has been practicing bankruptcy law, whether it's their only field or they mix it with unrelated fields, what organizations do they belong to? Do they have any awards or recognitions? Check with your state bar to see if any disciplinary actions have been taken against them, etc.

Meet with the attorney and see how you get along. I offer a free consultation for my clients. You can also research them on the web and contact the state bar to see if they have any disciplinary action.

Talk to anyone that you know that may be an attorney and ask for a recommendation. If you do not know one I would suggest calling 2-3 of them and see what kind of a feel you get from them. You can look them up on the Internet. There are many places you can see reviews or possible misconduct. The California State Bar website is a good place to start.

Meet with the attorney, ask any questions you have about the process, and if you feel comfortable with him/her, retain him/her. I would be happy to meet with you and I offer a free consultation.

Remember you're hiring someone to advocate on your behalf. You should never be pressured to hire them and you should feel comfortable every step of the way. Communication and listening are key and you should meet them in person.

Find one who has been doing it for at least 5 years, who does nothing but bankruptcy work, and does not have a paralegal doing all of the work.

Consult with a few, check their bar records and make sure you meet with an attorney the first time you meet, not a non-attorney spokesman.