Word of Mouth:
The best way to choose a lawyer is through a recommendation of someone you trust, who knows the lawyer, and who can tell you whether the lawyer is qualified and will work hard for you. If you need legal assistance, ask your friends and family if they know a lawyer who can help you. You may already know a lawyer, and that lawyer may be able to help you, or s/he may be able to recommend a lawyer who specializes in your kind of problem.
Thorough Research:
If you can't find someone to recommend a lawyer, you should do as much research as you can about lawyers before you choose. There are several good sources on the Internet, such as FindLaw.com. It is useful to compare lawyers' web sites to see what kind of cases the lawyer handles, and what experience s/he has. Any research should include a check to be certain the lawyer is licensed in your state. You can check the license and discipline status of Indiana lawyers with the Indiana Supreme Court.
Referral Services:
Referral Services help match the right lawyer with your legal problem. It is best to use one sponsored by a Bar Association. The Indianapolis Bar Association can refer you a lawyer in your geographical area who has the specialty you need. They can be reached at 317-269-2222 or on the Internet at Lawyer Referral Service. One benefit you get from the Indianapolis Bar Association is the requirement that no lawyer be listed on the Referral Service without a minimum of $1,000,000,000 in malpractice insurance.
Yellow Pages:
Many attorneys advertise in the Yellow Pages. This may help you call a lawyer in the right area of practice, but it does little more without doing the Thorough Research I described above.
Direct Mail Solicitations
Some lawyers obtain a list of potential clients from public records of, for example, car accidents and arrests, and send letters soliciting business. These letters are legal, and are restricted in what they can say by the Rules of Professional Conduct, which can be found at RPC 7.3. As with Yellow Pages advertising, you should do the Thorough Research I described above.
There is no substitute for talking to as many people as you can about which lawyer can help you. This should include comparison shopping by interviewing several lawyers to see who you are most comfortable with. Lawyers should be able to answer your questions, even if it is by saying "I don't know." Beware of any lawyer who promises a particular result in your case.
Before you make your final decision, you should determine whether you can represent yourself. Please see Can I represent myself? for a discussion of that topic.
The last thing you need to do before you hire a lawyer is make sure you understand his/her fee. It is best to have a written fee agreement. Please see Attorney Fees for a discussion of that topic.