Typing “top lawyers in Ohio” or “best attorneys in Ohio” into a search engine like Google or Bing will take you to a range of rankings and ratings compiled by several different organizations. Honestly, this is not the worst way to start looking for a legal representative you can trust and work with. It is, however, only the first step.

Attorneys with the Jones Law Group appear on several of those lists, and we are proud to have earned the esteem of our legal colleagues and clients. We also know that such recognition will not make us the right choice for every person who needs help with a legal matter in Ohio.

If you need an attorney, you find satisfactory answers for the following four questions, meet with potential representatives, and understand that the lawyer you hire works for you. The laws of Ohio give clients the ultimate authority to fire and replace any attorney at any time for any reason.

Does the attorney specialize in your type of case?

Experience and knowledge count for a lot. Just as you would never go to your dentist for knee surgery, do not expect a family law attorney to defend you against a criminal charge. Be aware, however, that larger law firms often offer a broad array of services. For instance, attorneys with the Jones Law Firm handle

• Workers’ Compensation
• Social Security Disability
• Personal Injury (e.g., traffic accidents, medical malpractice, defective and dangerous products)
• Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
• State Employee Disability through programs like OPERS and STRS
• COBRA and other insurance disputes
• Debt Collection
• Business Contracts (e.g., sales and leases, mergers, construction, partnerships and joint ventures, nondisclosure agreements, franchising)
• Professional credentialing, licensure, and discipline
• Mediation, which is an alternate dispute resolution process that allows parties to most types of lawsuit to avoid going to court and reach a mutually agreeable settlement

If you use an attorney ranking and search service, make sure to narrow your options by location (i.e., city or county) and practice area.

What do former clients say about the attorney?

Visit the websites of the lawyers you identify as possible hires. While on each site, read what they say about your type of case, looking for knowledge, thoroughness, and successes. Pay particular attention to endorsements offered by previous clients. Each case is different, and past results do not guarantee future results, but hearing previous clients mention many of the strengths and qualities you want in a legal representative should give you confidence in reaching out for an initial consultation.

Did the lawyer respond quickly when you first contacted him of her?

Your attorney must be responsive and attentive. Do not waste time — and possibly money — on a lawyer who does not treat you as a priority. Follow this rule all through your professional relationship and be willing to replace an attorney who stops responding to emails, ignores phone calls, skips appointments, or fails to meet deadlines for filing paperwork on your behalf.

What impression did you get when you met with the lawyer?

You may spend a considerable amount of time in offices, conference rooms, and court buildings with the attorney you hire. The real measure of what makes a “top” or “best” Ohio lawyer for you comes down to your ability to trust, respect, and like him or her. Treat the first meeting as a job interview, asking, at minimum:

• Do you think I can succeed?
• What strategies have you used in cases similar to mine?
• What is your track record in cases like mine?
• What will I need to do as my case moves through the system?
• How much will it cost me to hire you, and how can payments be arranged?

Pay as much attention to how the lawyer answers as to what the attorney says. Do not sign a contract if you have serious misgivings.

To find out if one of the highly rated Jones Law Group attorneys is right for you, request a free, confidential consultation by calling (614) 545-9998. You can also schedule an appointment online.