Whether you hire a law firm with 600 lawyers or with only two, only one or two lawyers will be working on your case. Before the technology age, large firms probably had some advantage because they could justify buying more books. Now that legal research is computerized, small firms have just as much access to legal resources. Small firms tend to be more personable and less formal. When you talk to a lawyer in a small firm, you are probably talking to one of the decision-makers of the firm instead of one set of ears in a bureaucracy.
Some people think so.
Being comfortable with your lawyer is important and if having a lawyer who is obnoxious makes you happy, hire one. Some other qualities that you might consider are hard working, prepared, diplomatic, and experienced. Lawyers with these qualities toy with obnoxious lawyers. Location, experience, and type of case determine the hourly rate of a lawyer. Compare the rates of several lawyers to get an idea of the amount customarily charged.