- 1). Review the attorney's disciplinary or malpractice record, which you can access through most state bar associations. While it is easy to check the Yellow Pages or search online to find an attorney who accepts contingency cases, you should hire an experienced attorney who has a strong record.
- 2). Contact your local professional group of attorneys. Most cities in the U.S. organize bar associations. Some examples are Austin (austinbar.org), Chicago (chicagobar.org) or Los Angeles (lacba.org).
- 3). Consult your state bar association. For instance, the Florida Bar Association maintains an online attorney search tool (floridabar.org/names.nsf/MESearch?OpenForm). All states maintain a professional group of attorneys and even have subgroups or committees based on practice areas.
- 4). Approach family members, friends and colleagues for attorney referrals. If you know someone who was involved in a personal injury case (e.g., slip and fall, car accident) and hired an attorney, ask if the attorney accepted contingency fees.
- 5). Search through national databases, including lawyers.com and martindale.com. Realize that attorney self-advertising or marketing generates several online listings. For instance, attorneyfind.com is a directory that charges attorneys for each listing so the directory does not maintain information about all attorneys.
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