Need a disability lawyer

November 18, 2004 11:52 AM

How does one find a lawyer? I'm skeptical of the online directories I can find with Google, as well as lawyers who are aggressively advertising. There must be a better way than picking one at random from the phone book. A friend looking for legal help with disability stuff has asked for my advice on this matter, and I turn to you, O MeFites.
posted by eyebeam to law & government (11 comments total)

Email me. I'll help privately.
posted by Seth at 11:53 AM on November 18, 2004

Ask your local disability rights center or advocacy group.
posted by sacre_bleu at 11:57 AM on November 18, 2004

Most state Bar Associations provide a referral service.
posted by dirtylittlemonkey at 12:25 PM on November 18, 2004

The same way you would find an MD, with is NOT through an ad.
posted by ParisParamus at 1:03 PM on November 18, 2004

Ask a lawyer friend for a recommendation, even if the friend is in a different specialty and/or state.
posted by callmejay at 1:09 PM on November 18, 2004

Every state has a federally-mandated Protection and Advocacy program for people with disabilities.
posted by gokart4xmas at 1:33 PM on November 18, 2004

The disability rights center or advocacy group is probably your best start. If you know a local lawyer, especially a litigator, ask them for a recommendation. This is a fairly specialized area of law and there are probably only a handful of local top notch attorneys.. Other attorneys will know who they are or how to find out. If you really have no legal contacts in the area you can turn to Martindale Hubbell, a directory of lawyers. It has short bios and attorney ratings, AV being the highest. The ratings are by no means perfect but are better than nothing. Find a few prospects and then go interview them.
posted by caddis at 1:44 PM on November 18, 2004

check your email
posted by miss meg at 2:47 PM on November 18, 2004

Law professors at a local law school could also be of some help, especially one that specializes in disability law.
posted by gyc at 3:03 PM on November 18, 2004

I'm an Austin lawyer with a couple of recommendations for you (not myself), please check your email. (And this is my first post, thank you, Matt).
posted by seventyfour at 8:01 PM on November 18, 2004

Thanks to everybody for their answers, advice, and offers of assistance -- both here in the green and by email. I really appreciate everyone's help, and I'm sure my friend will too. Thanks!
posted by eyebeam at 9:31 PM on November 18, 2004