Selecting the right attorney is the most important decision you will make in pursuing or defending your case. Selecting the right attorney should not be a blind decision and at your initial conference with an attorney it is essential that you obtain certain information which will enable you to make proper choice of an attorney.
Experience: The old saying "there is no substitute for experience" is actually true. The attorney with substantial experience knows courtroom procedure, rules of evidence and how to present a case at trial. He knows how the judge or jury most likely will react to your case and to your situation. Mr. Brown has been engaged in the practice of law for over thirty (30) years and has appeared before judges in the counties of: Banks, Jackson, Barrow, Franklin, Madison, Hart, Elbert, Oglethorpe, Clarke, Habersham, Stephens, Gwinnett, and many other counties throughout the State of Georgia. He is familiar with many judges within these counties and knows their demeanor and their positions on many issues which may affect your case.
Experience In Your Type of Case: Not only is it important that your attorney have substantial experience as a lawyer, it is absolutely essential that your attorney have substantial experience with your type of case. Most divorce, child custody and modification cases have similar issues that arise in every case. The attorney who has substantial experience in a particular type of case, to a great degree, knows what issues will arise and what issues he or she should pursue at the beginning of the case. Most likely the experienced attorney has appeared before the judge in your case and has a very good idea as to how a judge will react to the issues in your case.
Additionally, it is necessary that your attorney has actually tried many cases of the type you are involved. Only through trial of cases can an attorney learn how to present a case and how to defend a case. The more trials in which an attorney has participated, the better that attorney should be in representing you at trial.
Mr. Brown has concentrated his practice in the area of divorce, child custody, child support, and modifications of divorce decrees and has repeatedly appeared before the judges in many of the counties in northeast Georgia. He knows what issues to raise, what issues will be raised by opposing counsel, and in most cases how the judge will rule on various issues. Furthermore, in more than thirty (30) years of practice, Mr. Brown has tried hundreds of cases, knows the law in family law cases and has developed skill and knowledge in this area of the law.
Approach to Your Case: Sadly, many attorneys do little to prepare a case for trial and approach a case from the beginning with an eye toward settlement. While a settlement that is fair and reasonable is always to be preferred over a resolution at trial, the best way to secure a fair and reasonable settlement is to aggressively pursue a case and demonstrate a willingness to take a case to trial, if necessary. Only through bargaining from a position of strength can one secure an effective settlement. The attorney who enters the case with the immediate goal of settlement is likely to provide his client with a great disservice and more importantly, a poor result.
Even worse is the attorney who does nothing with the case. The attorney accepts the deposit or fee and then does nothing to work the case. In the final analysis the client ends up with a poor result or a trial with an attorney who is totally unprepared - - a perfect recipe for disaster.
Mr. Brown strongly believes in working his cases. He routinely engages in formal and informal discovery such as interrogatories, production of documents, depositions, field work in court houses and interviews with prospective witnesses. He always attempts to be prepared in court because the client deserves the best he has to offer and each time he appears in court he is being judged not only by the client, but also by opposing counsel, the judge hearing the case, the courtroom personnel, the witnesses and any jury involved in the case. In short, again there is no substitute for preparation and Mr. Brown works to always be organized and prepared legally and factually.
Billing and Cost: In order to have a successful relationship with a client, it is important that the client have an understanding of how the attorney charges for his services and some idea of what the case will ultimately cost. While there is no way that an attorney can realistically and fairly set a flat fee to handle a case, the attorney should have some idea in broad terms of what a case will cost.
Personalities: Will you be comfortable with the attorney? If you do not believe you can successfully work with a particular attorney, you should not retain him or her. Domestic cases are stressful and demanding. If you and your attorney are unable to communicate and to relate to each other, your case progress will suffer and the stress will increase. The firm wants its clients to be comfortable in communicating with all its personnel and staff on any and all issues regarding their case. Mr. Brown wants an open-line of communication between his client and him. Communication is key to the success of the case and after all, Mr. Brown works his cases for his clients and he works his cases to win.
Mediation: Many clients want to know if the case must go to trial. One of the best means of resolving a case is through an effective mediator. Once discovery is complete, mediation can be an effective tool in resolving a domestic case. Usually both sides prefer a settlement to a trial and mediation is one means of reaching a settlement short of going to court. A settlement agreed to by the parties is always preferable to a ruling by a court which may be unsatisfactory to both sides.
Mr. Brown stands willing to pursue mediation in any case where the parties desire to submit the matter to a mediator for a resolution of the case.
