How Dating Rules Can Help You Find an Attorney

Like a good relationship, communication is key no matter who you choose.

"We used to call lawyers wordsmiths," says Charne. "You want to know the lawyer is willing to speak in a language you understand."

Also, says Charne, don't be afraid to ask if your lawyer is insured. You're not being insensitive, just cautious. "Insurance shows that they are someone who protects their business just like you want to protect yours," he says.

You'd Better Shop Around

The $250 to $650 an hour that some attorneys charge for an initial consultation isn't just a drop in the bucket for the limited budgets of most small businesses. Referral services, however, make it much more feasible for the small business owner to shop around. The New York Bar's referral service is free, and the first half-hour meeting with any of their attorneys is only $35. Most State Bar referral services follow the reduced half-hour consultation model.

Once you select an attorney, says Charne, make sure you know exactly what services he or she will be charging for after the initial consultation. A lawyer who tells you to write your concerns down and call once to address them all will be more financially beneficial and honest than one who encourages you to call every time you have a small concern, he says.

Also, define what results, both positive and negative, can be expected from the services you will be paying for, says James Siegel, attorney and member of the New York Bar's legal referral service.

Frequently, says Siegel, attorneys who have been in practice for many years command a higher hourly rate, but that doesn't mean you have to empty your pockets for a good one. Some younger attorneys with lower rates have a wide range of experience and may even be more appropriate to your needs, depending on the scope and magnitude of the cases they've handled.