I'm Your Lawyer When You Pay Me

I got a call from a potential client today. He found me online, probably through a google search for a New York traffic ticket lawyer. His first words to me were "I'm shopping around for a lawyer." Oh boy I thought, I know where this is going. Nowhere. He gets my time for free because even though I know this lead is a loser, I have to be polite and courteous. I'm a professional after all, at least most of the time.

So the "consultation" begins- "Yes, I handle lots of speeding tickets in Wilton Town Court. This is what I can do for you blah, blah. My fee to handle your case is $300. etc." This guy then asks me if I would base my fee on the outcome of the case. I beg the reader to please, please, please, never ask a criminal defense lawyer that question. To suggest that I would do any better or worse of a job because of money is frankly insulting. I know I'm young and naive but I believe that there is still some sanctity left in the legal profession. I can hear the old farts laughing.

It may be possible that I have joined a profession that the public holds in such high disregard that they have no qualms about telling us up front they are "shopping around for a lawyer" like they are shopping around for a TV or a used car. Furthermore, would you ever ask your orthopedic surgeon if he would give you a 20% discount if the the range of motion in your new knee wasn't as good as promised? I'm not saying we're as important as surgeons but a lawyer is at a minimum, a trained professional.

I believe that anyone considering hiring an attorney, whether it's a DWI or a Worker's Comp case, should talk to more than one attorney to find the right fit. However, it's one thing to test a lawyer for his knowledge and skill versus testing a lawyer to find the lowest price.

And to the point I wanted to make- A criminal defense lawyer must be vigilant about being paid up front. If I did not get paid up front, I would be out of business immediately. If I lowered my fee because the client does not have the money, then I would have no money and I would not be a lawyer. When I get paid, I am retained. To anyone who is thinking about hiring a criminal defense lawyer, think about coming up with some cash quickly, then call me. Don't waste my time. It cost me 100k and seven and a half years of school to discuss your legal situation with you for an initial free consultation.