The State Bar Associations and the local Bar Associations assist in policing its members to make certain that attorneys comply with all rules and regulations. Has the firm or its attorneys published any articles or spoken at seminars or continuing education forums. Look for awards and honors, as well as continuing education and community involvement. Additionally, there are certain services that will rank attorneys or rate attorneys. However, a great deal of caution should be used in viewing most of these publications since such ratings may be politically motivated.
Some services look at the number of years an attorney has practiced.
Sometimes special ratings are given to attorneys who are members of large firms. Therefore, if an attorney is not rated as highly by some of these various services, it does not necessarily mean that the attorney is not extremely skilled or well qualified for that particular purpose. These sources of attorney rankings may be helpful, but should be secondary in the process of selection. Stay actively involved with your case even after you hire an attorney. Go to the library or a bookstore and educate yourself on the kind of case you are pursuing.