Unfortunately most people charged with a Tennessee DUI offense do not realize that the selection of his or her lawyer can be life-altering decision. Many people charged with a DUI in Tennessee find themselves in the midst of the criminal justice system for the first time in their lives. The experience is often overwhelming and terrifying. The worst thing a person can do is hire an attorney at random to handle a driving under the influence case. Steve Oberman and I often advise potential clients to not rely solely on the biggest yellow page ad or a billboard advertisement. Your decision should be based upon careful research and reflection.
On the August 16th show of “Let’s Talk Law with Steve Oberman and Sara Compher-Rice,” we were fortunate to have two guests to discuss this issue and answer questions from our listeners on the topic of Selecting and Working with a Lawyer. Attorneys Tom Scott and Mark Britton, for providing our listeners invaluable information relating to selecting and working with a lawyer.
Tom Scott is currently serving as the Chair of the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR). Tom provided us with information on the role of the Tennessee BPR and explained how the BPR fields and processes complaints of clients against lawyers. We also learned that the general public can visit the BPR website to search for any disciplinary action taken against attorneys. For more information on the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility and the Board can assist you, visit http://www.tbpr.org/ or call 800-486-5714.
Mark Britton is the CEO and founder of Avvo. Avvo.com is a resource for consumers to use when researching potential attorneys. Unlike other lawyer rating services, Avvo provides both positive and negative feedback on attorneys. For instance, Avvo works with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility to inform clients of any disciplinary action taken against a lawyer.
The decision of which attorney to hire is often one of the most crucial decisions a person will make in his or her life. Tom and Mark have provided an excellent starting point for the potentially life-altering lawyer search. Once you have completed your initial research, you should follow up by asking those you know and trust (friends, family, neighbors, other lawyers and professionals) for recommendations. Finally, take time to meet with the potential lawyer to assess his or her skill level, attentiveness and professionalism. You may also visit our website for examples of questions to ask during your interview.
