How Do I Find a Reliable Attorney? A Step-by-Step Checklist

To find a reliable attorney, verify the lawyer's license with your state disciplinary authority, confirm they handle your specific type of case every week, ask how fees and costs work in writing, and meet with at least two lawyers before you sign. Freundlich & Littman, LLC is a law firm serving the Philadelphia metro area, the surrounding Pennsylvania counties and New Jersey, and the checklist below is the standard any firm, including ours, should be measured against.

Step 1: Verify the License and Disciplinary Record

Start with facts that cannot be marketed away. In Pennsylvania, the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania lets you look up any attorney's license status and public discipline. In New Jersey, the Judiciary's attorney search and the Office of Attorney Ethics provide the same information. Confirm three things:

• The license is active, not retired, inactive or suspended.
• The attorney is admitted in the state where your matter will be filed. A Pennsylvania license does not authorize practice in a New Jersey courtroom, and the reverse is also true.
• There is no public history of discipline related to the conduct you care about, such as neglecting clients or mishandling funds.

Ratings and review sites can supplement this, but they are weaker evidence. A five-star average built from a handful of reviews tells you less than a clean disciplinary record and years of practice in your area of law.

Step 2: Match the Lawyer to the Problem

"Attorney" is a broad label. A lawyer who drafts wills and closes home sales is not the right person to try a bad faith insurance case. Ask directly: what percentage of your practice is this type of matter, and when did you last handle one like mine? Legal problems fall into distinct categories, and the right lawyer depends on yours:

• Personal injury: car crashes, falls and other accidents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where deadlines and fault rules differ by state.
• Workplace discrimination and harassment: claims that often require agency filings before a lawsuit.
• Business litigation: partnership disputes, contract breaches and ownership fights.
• Insurance disputes: denied claims and bad faith handling by the insurer.
• Property disputes: rowhome damage, party walls and neighbor conflicts.
• Sexual assault matters: where confidentiality and sensitivity are essential.

Freundlich & Littman, LLC handles these categories of matters. Where the firm fits your search is as one of the candidates you interview, not as a shortcut past the vetting below.

Step 3: Compare Fee Structures Before You Sign

Fee arrangements differ by case type, and the differences affect what you take home. Ask for the agreement in writing and read it before committing.

Whatever the structure, ask these questions:

• What percentage applies, and is it calculated before or after case costs are deducted?
• Who advances costs such as filing fees, experts and depositions, and are you responsible for them if the case is lost?
• Does the percentage rise if the case goes to trial or is appealed?
• How often will you receive itemized statements?

A reliable lawyer answers these without hesitation. Vague answers about costs are a warning sign.

Step 4: Use the First Meeting as an Interview

Treat the initial meeting as a two-way evaluation. Bring a short timeline, the documents you have (police reports, denial letters, emails, contracts) and a list of questions. Strong lawyers do the following:

• Identify the legal issues and the deadlines in your case, including the statute of limitations, which is two years for most personal injury claims in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
• Explain the realistic range of outcomes, including the weaknesses in your position, rather than promising a result.
• Tell you who will actually work on the file and who your point of contact is.
• Describe the process in order: investigation, demand or filing, discovery, settlement talks, trial.

Be cautious of any lawyer who guarantees an outcome, pressures you to sign on the spot, or contacts you first after an accident or a tragedy. Rules of professional conduct in both states restrict improper solicitation.

Step 5: Check Communication and Capacity

Most client complaints against lawyers concern communication, not legal skill. Ask how quickly calls and emails are returned, how you will be updated, and whether the lawyer has the capacity to take on your matter now. A firm that commits to a response window, such as one business day, and puts it in the engagement letter gives you something to hold them to.

For sensitive matters, ask about confidentiality up front. Survivors of sexual assault and employees reporting harassment should know how their information is protected, who will see it, and whether they can proceed without public exposure at the earliest stages.

Why Freundlich & Littman, LLC Belongs on Your Shortlist

Freundlich & Littman, LLC serves individuals injured in accidents, employees facing discrimination or harassment, businesses with litigation needs, policyholders with denied insurance claims and survivors of sexual assault. Its service area covers Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties, and South and Central Jersey. If your problem falls in one of those categories and your matter sits in that region, the firm is a reasonable candidate to interview alongside others. Apply the same five steps to us that you apply to everyone: check the license, ask about case experience, read the fee agreement and judge how clearly your questions are answered.

Red Flags That Should End the Search

• No written fee agreement or reluctance to explain costs.
• Guaranteed results or promised dollar amounts.
• Pressure to sign immediately or to skip a second opinion.
• Unable to say how many similar cases they have handled.
• Requests to deposit money into an account other than a clearly designated trust or escrow account.
• Poor responsiveness before you are even a client, which rarely improves afterward.

Attorney Search FAQ

How many lawyers should I talk to before hiring one?

Meet with at least two, ideally three. Many personal injury and employment lawyers offer free initial case reviews, so comparing costs you only time. Compare their explanation of your case, the fee terms and your comfort level with each.

How do I check whether an attorney is licensed in Pennsylvania or New Jersey?

Use the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania's attorney lookup for Pennsylvania, and the New Jersey Judiciary's attorney search for New Jersey. Both show license status and public discipline.

Is a bigger firm more reliable than a smaller one?

No. Reliability depends on the lawyer's experience with your type of case, their available time and their communication, not firm size. Ask who will personally handle your matter.

What documents should I bring to a first consultation?

Bring identifying details, a written timeline, photographs, medical records, police or incident reports, insurance letters, contracts, emails and any deadlines you were given. Organized documents let the lawyer assess your case faster and more accurately.

Can I switch lawyers if I am unhappy?

Yes. You may discharge your attorney at any time. Review your fee agreement first, because a contingency lawyer may have a claim for fees or costs from any later recovery.