the experience factor comes into play. Seasoned lawyers generally charge more than novice lawyers, but seasoned lawyers also may get more done in an hour than inexperienced lawyers can. A low fee is no bargain if the novice is learning on your dollar. And you may pay the consequences if the novice fails to handle your case properly. Has a good track record: If the lawyer you consult thinks that your case may go to trial, find out whether that lawyer has courtroom experience or intends to refer you to another lawyer. (Some lawyers don't do trial work.) Always ask about the lawyer's track record of wins versus losses. What good is a lawyer with a great deal of trial experience if that lawyer never wins a case? Is a deal maker or a deal breaker (whichever is appropriate): Some lawyers are great at putting deals together. Others specialize in blowing them out of the water. Each skill is important. Depending on whether you want the lawyer to get you out of a deal so you can accept a better offer or need legal assistance to keep your deal together, be sure that you have the right type of lawyer for your situation. If your lawyer's only solution to every problem is a lawsuit, you may be in the clutches of a deal breaker who wants to run up big legal fees. Find another lawyer! Speaks your language: A good lawyer explains your options clearly and concisely without resorting to