Matter fit
Who at the firm has handled matters involving a similar incident, injury, and jurisdiction?
Ask for relevant experience, not a promised result. A directory category alone does not establish fit.
Injury Lawyer Comparison Center
A useful comparison is built from the same questions, written answers, and independent verification—not rankings or promises. Use this worksheet for each consultation, then compare the records side by side.
Six consistent checks
One copy per firmConsultation scorecard
Case team
Who would be responsible for the work, and who would be your day-to-day contact?
Record names, roles, and when you would speak directly with the lawyer responsible for the matter.
Communication
How are updates delivered, how often, and what response time should you expect?
Compare a concrete communication plan rather than a general promise to keep in touch.
Fees and costs
How are the fee and case expenses calculated at each possible stage?
Request the written agreement and a numerical example. Ask what you could owe if there is no recovery.
Approach
What would the firm need to investigate before recommending a claim strategy?
A careful answer should identify missing facts and next steps rather than guarantee an outcome.
Verification
Is the lawyer licensed and in good standing in the relevant jurisdiction?
Confirm status with the state licensing authority, not only a firm website or directory profile.
Decision sequence
From search result to informed choice
Build a shortlist
Choose several firms that serve the relevant location and say they handle the type of matter involved.
Ask the same core questions
Consistency makes answers easier to compare. Add case-specific questions, but keep the six criteria constant.
Write evidence, not impressions
Record names, quoted terms, promised response times, and follow-up items. Separate facts from how the conversation felt.
Verify before deciding
Read the engagement agreement, resolve unclear terms, and check the responsible lawyer with the state licensing authority.
Side-by-side review
Final comparison ledger
| Criterion | Firm A | Firm B | Firm C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matter fit | |||
| Case team | |||
| Communication | |||
| Fees and costs | |||
| Approach | |||
| Verification |
Do not total these rows into a universal “best firm” score. Decide which criteria matter most for your situation and resolve missing answers before signing an agreement.
Go deeper
See the full guide library →Comparison guides
Authoritative starting points
Verification and professional rules
ABA lawyer licensing directoryLinks to the agency that licenses lawyers in each state.Open official resource ↗ABA Model Rule 1.4: CommunicationA national model rule; the controlling rule is the one adopted in the relevant jurisdiction.Open official resource ↗ABA Model Rule 1.5: FeesA starting point for understanding fee disclosures; state rules and the signed agreement control.Open official resource ↗
The ABA Model Rules are models, not the controlling rules in every state. Consult the rule and licensing authority for the relevant jurisdiction. Resources reviewed September 24, 2026.