How to choose a lawyer wisely
In the Philippines, choosing a lawyer seems to be a very easy task, especially due to the influx of passersby taking the oath every year. Despite this fact, there is still a need to make a wise choice. Otherwise, clients risk losing their property, liberties and even their very lives due to poor legal advice and/or representation.
Before discussing some useful tips for choosing a good Filipino lawyer, it is best to first look at the main purpose of searching for one. Clients hire attorneys for various reasons. It can be as simple as seeking advice on a legal query or as complicated as representing one in court cases. With this, it is clear that the common objective of hiring a lawyer is to seek help in solving legal problems. A successful resolution of a case, therefore, refers not only to winning over an opponent, but more importantly, to giving the case a chance to be heard in court.
Based on the above objective, the following are some useful tips for choosing a good Filipino lawyer:
• look at the soul. A good quality lawyer has self-respect, dignity and integrity. He avoids using illegal means in handling cases because he values self-respect. He can’t fool anyone because he knows he’s fooling himself in return. He competes only with his own weaknesses, not with other lawyers.
• look at the heart. A good lawyer loves his profession; therefore, he loves to serve his clients. Such an attorney offers his services to anyone in need, regardless of compensation. Public service is his motivation, not material wealth.
• look at the mind. A good quality lawyer has a firm understanding of all the laws and is capable of integrating everything into a whole. He continues to expand and update his knowledge through constant research. He does his job with the utmost diligence and never allows himself to perform below average.
The above advice may seem overly idealistic, but high standards are needed when choosing a lawyer to avoid compromising one’s rights. It’s not simply a matter of background, fame, or government connections. More than anything, it is a question of sincerity for public service.