No one ever looks forward to commercial litigation. As bad as the process is, it’s even worse if you don’t take the time to find an attorney with excellent commercial litigation skills. Here are some warning signs when looking for a commercial litigator and tips for identifying a good one.

1. Agreeing With Everything You Say Is A Bad Sign

A good commercial litigation lawyer uses critical listening skills to help analyze your situation and set realistic expectations. If you meet with a lawyer who is saying yes to all your feelings and thoughts on the situation, this usually means they’re more interested in closing a sale than helping your case.

A common mistake businesses make is going with an attorney who does everything they ask and who promises them the world. A good attorney will usually give a reality check, which may disappoint you, but is critical to resolving the situation. Lawyers who are too eager to please often end up being bad news.

2. The Lawyer Doesn’t Give You Details In Writing

If you’re dealing with an attorney and you don’t get a written agreement within a reasonable amount of time you should be concerned. The attorney’s hourly rate and payment arrangements need to be addressed in writing to avoid confusion and misconduct. A good lawyer will promptly provide you with documents on how their firm works with their clients.

3. The Lawyer Prides Themselves On Being Aggressive

Aggressiveness is a stereotypical trait associated with lawyers, and in reality, it’s not a positive one. If you meet with a high-energy, tenacious and aggressive attorney, you should be worried. A lawyer’s demeanor needs to be based on the case and the judge. No one likes aggressive people in general and having an aggressive attorney won’t make your case easier to win.

4. They Have No Idea About The Total Cost

Professional firms can give you an idea of what their services cost and help you budget for the legal spend. When you deal with a law firm that can’t give you any idea of what their services cost, you’re putting yourself ask risk for overbilling and vague expense reports. A good law firm is upfront about their prices, and they leave no mystery about how they wish to be compensated.

5. They Should Be Easy To Communicate With

An attorney who’s good at their job should make you feel relaxed and comfortable. When explaining things to you, they should avoid using legal jargon and put things in simple terms that you can understand. This doesn’t mean you want a condescending lawyer, but someone who understands not everyone is familiar with the legal processes and knows how to distill complex legal explanations.

6. Look Them Up Them In Court Records

Another way to find a good lawyer is to search their court records. By taking a look at their court records, you can see how many cases they’ve won or lost. Keep in mind settlements, and other types of resolutions aren’t always included in the records. However, you can use the records for some insight into the lawyer you want to choose.

7. Ask For Referrals

Asking for referrals from other business owners and friends is a great way to find a reliable lawyer. Lawyers who specialize in other fields can also give you referrals to lawyers who have experience with commercial litigation.

8. Go With Your Gut

Before pulling the trigger with a lawyer, the final check is to go with your gut. An excellent commercial litigator takes the time to understand your problems, identify your concerns and put the legal situation into terms you can understand. Good attorneys are easy to communicate with, and you’ll feel confident in their ability to guide you through the legal process.