How to find a good attorney in advance?

Sriracha · August 17, 2006, 10:23 PM

(Sorry if this isn't precisely on topic)

I hope none of us ever needs to shoot to protect ourselves or our families. But if such a terrible event happens, I know it's very advisable to have an attorney to do the talking to avoid mistaken prosecution.

It'd be nice to know a skilled attorney in advance. As part of general self-defense preparations, it seems wise to memorize contact information for such a lawyer.

How do you find a good lawyer if you don't need one at present?

Thanks,
Sriracha

Dave R · August 17, 2006, 10:48 PM

Someone, sometime before, posted a link to a website that lists firearms-friendly attorneys. But I couldn't find it with the search function. Big help I am.

Maybe:
1) Ask your shooting buddies.
2) Ask at your favorite locally-owned gun store or range.

**4V50 Gary** · August 18, 2006, 11:09 AM

There's also legal insurance that you can buy (about $20-30 a month) and when you need one, you're covered. You have to find someone who sells it though (and it's a network marketing/multi-level marketing thing). The company uses only "A" rated firms but that doesn't guarantee you that they'll have a 2nd Amendment Specialist on board.

Number 6 · August 18, 2006, 01:16 PM

I strongly suggest contacting the bar association in your state regarding criminal defense counsel. The Second Amendment is a non-issue if you are arguing self-defense; criminal charges will be the issue, not civil rights.

If you know any clerks at the superior court level, ask for their suggestions.

AirForceShooter · August 21, 2006, 09:02 AM

if you're friends with a LEO ask him/her for a lawyer.
Barring that the Bar Association in your state will help you.

AFS

atlctyslkr · August 21, 2006, 09:48 AM

Ask an attorney you have used for something else. Generally attorneys run in packs and know others. I have a family friend who was an attorney and now a judge and she has been able to reccomend attorneys for various things I have needed (real estate diputes, labor law, and other things) I would not hestiate to call her if I needed an attorney after a justifiable shooting.

If you NEED a lawyer a lawyer that specializes in something else is better than no lawyer at all. I would rather be met at the police station by a real estate attorney than no one. I know that attorney can atleast help me deal with the intial shock of the situation and get me someone else.

**Bud Helms** · August 21, 2006, 10:02 AM

Martindale-Hubbell

The Second Amendment Foundation

Dave Markowitz · August 21, 2006, 10:29 AM

The Shooters' Bar.

Samurai · August 21, 2006, 12:51 PM

Finding a good attorney is like finding a good antique. You have to look hard, talk to people who do it all the time, and hope that you get lucky.

If you have absolutely NO place to look, then start with your state Bar Association. Specifically, find out who is the president of that association and call his/her office, or (preferably) visit their web page. Find out if they handle criminal cases. If they do, great. If not, ask them for the name of a good attorney in town who does.

This next part is important!!!

Do NOT assume that just because you carry some lawyer's number around with you that they will automatically take your case. Call them, and make an appointment to meet with them. (You'll have to tell the scheduling secretary what it's all about. It will help if you tell the scheduling secretary that you won't need much time; about 15 minutes will do.) At the meeting with the attorney, tell them who you are, tell them about your carry permit, and tell them you're looking for an attorney's contact information to carry with you for emergency purposes. Ask if it's ok if you get the attorney's business card and keep it with your CCW permit. If it's not ok, ask for the name of another attorney.

Some attorneys will want a fee in exchange for the guarantee of legal representation. (This is called a "retainer," and it can be quite costly.) Others will simply say, "Sure," and give you their card. My guy told me that, in the unlikely event that I needed him, he would either represent me or find someone who could. In any case, once you've talked to them, you at least know ONE attorney who can talk to you about others in the area.

Sriracha · August 23, 2006, 08:50 PM

Thank you all for the advice and links! I shall check them out.
-Src

Ausserordeutlich · August 23, 2006, 09:22 PM

Don't count on getting a real lawyer for that $20-$30 monthly pre-paid legal services insurance. I'm not sure what an "A" rated lawyer is, but I do know a real lawyer when I see/hear one.

I don't foresee a problem in my being able to find a competent attorney, should I ever need one...again.

August 17, 2006, 10:23 PM	#1
Sriracha Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2005 Location: GA Posts: 310	How to find a good attorney in advance? (Sorry if this isn't precisely on topic) I hope none of us ever needs to shoot to protect ourselves or our families. But if such a terrible event happens, I know it's very advisable to have an attorney to do the talking to avoid mistaken prosecution. It'd be nice to know a skilled attorney in advance. As part of general self-defense preparations, it seems wise to memorize contact information for such a lawyer. How do you find a good lawyer if you don't need one at present? Thanks, Sriracha

August 17, 2006, 10:48 PM	#2
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	Someone, sometime before, posted a link to a website that lists firearms-friendly attorneys. But I couldn't find it with the search function. Big help I am. Maybe: 1) Ask your shooting buddies. 2) Ask at your favorite locally-owned gun store or range. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

August 18, 2006, 11:09 AM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	There's also legal insurance that you can buy (about $20-30 a month) and when you need one, you're covered. You have to find someone who sells it though (and it's a network marketing/multi-level marketing thing). The company uses only "A" rated firms but that doesn't guarantee you that they'll have a 2nd Amendment Specialist on board. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 18, 2006, 01:16 PM	#4
Number 6 Junior member Join Date: October 3, 2002 Posts: 919	Good luck with those! I strongly suggest contacting the bar association in your state regarding criminal defense counsel. The Second Amendment is a non-issue if you are arguing self-defense; criminal charges will be the issue, not civil rights. If you know any clerks at the superior court level, ask for their suggestions.

August 21, 2006, 10:29 AM	#8
Dave Markowitz Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2002 Location: SE PA Posts: 372	The Shooters' Bar. __________________ Dave Markowitz http://blogostuff.blogspot.com

August 21, 2006, 09:02 AM	#5
AirForceShooter Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Location: Sarasota (sort of) Florida Posts: 1,296	if you're friends with a LEO ask him/her for a lawyer. Barring that the Bar Association in your state will help you. AFS

August 21, 2006, 09:48 AM	#6
atlctyslkr Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 613	Ask an attorney you have used for something else. Generally attorneys run in packs and know others. I have a family friend who was an attorney and now a judge and she has been able to reccomend attorneys for various things I have needed (real estate diputes, labor law, and other things) I would not hestiate to call her if I needed an attorney after a justifiable shooting. If you NEED a lawyer a lawyer that specializes in something else is better than no lawyer at all. I would rather be met at the police station by a real estate attorney than no one. I know that attorney can atleast help me deal with the intial shock of the situation and get me someone else.

August 21, 2006, 10:02 AM	#7
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	Martindale-Hubbell The Second Amendment Foundation

August 21, 2006, 12:51 PM	#9
Samurai Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2001 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 901	Finding a good attorney is like finding a good antique. You have to look hard, talk to people who do it all the time, and hope that you get lucky. If you have absolutely NO place to look, then start with your state Bar Association. Specifically, find out who is the president of that association and call his/her office, or (preferably) visit their web page. Find out if they handle criminal cases. If they do, great. If not, ask them for the name of a good attorney in town who does. This next part is important!!! Do NOT assume that just because you carry some lawyer's number around with you that they will automatically take your case. Call them, and make an appointment to meet with them. (You'll have to tell the scheduling secretary what it's all about. It will help if you tell the scheduling secretary that you won't need much time; about 15 minutes will do.) At the meeting with the attorney, tell them who you are, tell them about your carry permit, and tell them you're looking for an attorney's contact information to carry with you for emergency purposes. Ask if it's ok if you get the attorney's business card and keep it with your CCW permit. If it's not ok, ask for the name of another attorney. Some attorneys will want a fee in exchange for the guarantee of legal representation. (This is called a "retainer," and it can be quite costly.) Others will simply say, "Sure," and give you their card. My guy told me that, in the unlikely event that I needed him, he would either represent me or find someone who could. In any case, once you've talked to them, you at least know ONE attorney who can talk to you about others in the area. __________________ - Honor is a wonderful and glorious thing... until it gets you killed! - Why is it that we fire 1,000 rounds and know that we need more practice, but yet we punch a bag 10 times and think we know how to fight? - When in doubt, train, train, train...

August 23, 2006, 08:50 PM	#10
Sriracha Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2005 Location: GA Posts: 310	Thank you all for the advice and links! I shall check them out. -Src

August 23, 2006, 09:22 PM	#11
Ausserordeutlich Junior member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 996	Don't count on getting a real lawyer for that $20-$30 monthly pre-paid legal services insurance. I'm not sure what an "A" rated lawyer is, but I do know a real lawyer when I see/hear one. I don't foresee a problem in my being able to find a competent attorney, should I ever need one...again.