One of the main things I think they should look for is whether the lawyer is certified or not. And what that means is that if you hire a lawyer that’s certified by the state bar association or by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, you know that that person has number one, taken an exam. They have also had enough trial experience to qualify for the designation. And what that means is they have to have had so many trials, so many contested hearings, they’ll have to cross examine so many expert witnesses. And then they also have to be supported by judges, prosecutors, and other defense lawyers.

So when I did my certification, there were 12 people that had to vouch for me. And then what the committee does is they go and talk to some of the judges that you didn’t put down for a reference. And that’s how you wind up getting certified. So the lawyers who have been certified have been put through the test, and you know that they’re of the upper echelon in terms of experience and trustworthiness.