Looking for a Winning Lawyer?
You’d think that hiring an attorney would make your case.
But the truth is, good legal representation can either help or hinder you.
It’s all about finding the right attorney.
Here’s what the statistics say: When you find an expert attorney, your chance of success increases exponentially.
In fact, studies have found that 83% of represented persons win asylum cases compared to only 19% of people who pursue their cases without legal representation.
Winning Lawyers: But Why Do Some Lawyers Win More Than Others?
The thing is, not all attorneys are created equal.
Winning lawyers all share a handful of key traits that most attorneys simply do not have.
In this post, we’re going to look at what those traits are.
By the end, you’ll have a much better idea of what to look for in an attorney, which will help you to make the best possible decision when it matters most.
Table of Contents:
- Track Record That Speaks Volumes
- Communication: Your Lifeline During Legal Battles
- Experience: There’s No Substitute
- Resources and Support Systems
- Transparency and Trust: The Foundation of Success
- Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving
- Wrap Up
Track Record That Speaks Volumes
The best attorneys have one thing in common: they win cases.
However, this is where most people stop.
In reality, an attorney’s track record matters a lot more than just a win-loss ratio.
Winning attorneys are able to show consistent success across different types of cases, various courts, and under challenging circumstances.
Research from Cambridge University suggests that large, well-funded law firms typically have higher success rates in court cases.
This is not just about having a big budget. This is about having the infrastructure, experience, and systems in place that lead to better outcomes.
Look for attorneys who can give you specific examples of how they have handled cases similar to yours. Ask about their success rates, but go beyond that.
How many cases have they tried? What kind of settlements have they negotiated? How often do they go to trial versus settling outside of court?
The right attorney should be open about their track record and confident in their ability to discuss their results.
Communication: Your Lifeline During Legal Battles
Ever called your attorney only to get voicemail… again?
Clients who experience poor communication with their lawyers are likelier to lose their cases than those with lawyers who return calls and keep them informed.
Effective legal communication works both ways.
On the one hand, your attorney should explain complex legal concepts in layman’s terms. They should return your calls in a timely manner and keep you updated on the progress of your case.
On the other hand, the most successful attorneys are masterful negotiators who can craft persuasive arguments in front of judges, juries, and opposing counsel.
They know how to tell your story in a way that is both factually accurate and compelling.
Pay attention to how an attorney communicates with you during your first consultation.
Do they listen closely to your concerns? Can they explain their legal strategies in a way that you can understand?
Do they seem genuinely interested in your case or are they rushing you off the phone?
The quality of these early communications often sets the tone for the rest of your attorney-client relationship.
Experience: There’s No Substitute
Here’s a secret that will surprise you.
The most experienced attorneys not only know the law better, but they know the personalities making legal decisions.
The most successful lawyers know which judges prefer certain types of arguments. They’ve seen opposing counsel’s negotiating style before. They can predict how cases will likely go based on years of courtroom experience.
That kind of institutional knowledge can’t be gained from books or lectures. It’s acquired by seeing hundreds of cases, making mistakes, learning from those mistakes, and constantly honing your craft.
Experience also matters more than just years in practice.
The best attorney for your needs is the one who has specific experience with your type of case.
A divorce attorney might be a master at family law, but a lousy choice for your personal injury case.
A corporate attorney might have decades of business transaction experience but never try a case in court.
Match the attorney’s background to your specific legal needs. Someone who’s handled dozens of cases like yours will be more efficient and effective than someone just getting their feet wet.
Resources and Support Systems
Winning attorneys do not work alone.
Litigation requires a significant investment of time, research, administration, and support.
Solo practitioners or small firms might offer you a more personalized service, but can they handle a complex legal case with all the bells and whistles?
Ask potential attorneys about their support staff.
Who will be working on your case? What kind of research resources do they have access to? Do they have contacts with expert witnesses in relevant fields?
Are they set up to handle the administrative burden of your case, or are they still using paper files and landline phones?
Technology is becoming more important to legal success.
The most effective attorneys have invested in case management software, electronic discovery tools, and data analytics to build stronger cases and work more efficiently.
Don’t hire an attorney that is decades behind in terms of technological resources.
Transparency and Trust: The Foundation of Success
Nobody likes surprise legal bills.
Winning attorneys are transparent about costs, realistic about timelines, and candid about challenges.
They explain their fee structure in detail and provide regular billing statements.
They do not promise unrealistic outcomes, or guarantee specific results.
Trust is built through consistent actions over time.
Does the attorney do what they say they’ll do?
Do they meet deadlines? Are they prepared for meetings and court appearances?
Do they treat you with respect and professionalism?
Be wary of attorneys who:
- Promise guaranteed outcomes
- Ask for large upfront payments without a clear explanation
- Don’t return your calls for days
- Appear unfamiliar with the basics of your type of case
Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving
Legal cases rarely go exactly according to plan.
Winning attorneys are strategic thinkers who have backup plans and adjust their game plan as circumstances change.
They know how to develop multiple legal strategies, and are not afraid to change course based on new information or unexpected developments.
Winning attorneys also think beyond the immediate legal battle.
Sometimes, the best strategy is to avoid court altogether through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution.
Other times, the only way to achieve your goals is through aggressive litigation.
Ask attorneys about their strategic approach to your case.
How do they plan to meet your goals? What potential obstacles do they foresee? What alternative strategies might they employ if the initial plan doesn’t work?
The right attorney will have a clear strategy but be flexible enough to adapt as your case evolves.
Wrap Up
Finding the right legal representation is not about hiring the most expensive lawyer or the one with the flashiest website.
Winning lawyers share a combination of proven track records, strong communication skills, relevant experience, adequate resources, and strategic thinking ability.
Statistics show that quality legal representation can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
But quality is not just a matter of credentials or years in practice.
Winning attorneys have the drive and discipline to:
- Communicate with clients clearly and regularly
- Have specific experience with your type of case
- Possess the resources to handle your matter competently
- Be transparent in all aspects of their dealings with clients
- Think strategically about achieving your goals
Your legal matter is too important to leave to chance.
Invest time and effort in evaluating potential attorneys. Ask the right questions. Trust your instincts. The work you put into finding the right legal representation often determines whether you achieve the outcome you deserve or not.