A firm focused 100% on Personal injury and Wrongful death cases
Law firms that have developed niche practice areas necessarily have more in-depth knowledge and experience than generalists. That means specialists can focus on optimizing client outcomes in areas they already know — rather than learning the applicable law for the first time or crafting a strategy in new cases they haven’t seen before. Specialists use their time to perfect case approaches that increase the likelihood of a client’s successful financial recovery.
A firm with a documented history of success against national manufacturers, insurers, corporations, and government entities
When the other side knows that the law firm you are partnering with has defeated them in the past, they treat your referral partner and your client’s claim with greater respect. A track record of past success against the country’s largest corporations, insurers, and businesses tells the other side that your referral partners are not intimidated by power, size, or money.
A firm with positive online reviews from satisfied clients
Happy, satisfied clients willing to tell their story to others are an honest indicator of client satisfaction. When selecting a referral partner, you want to ensure that your potential partner has past clients who have been satisfied and happy. Good lawyers ensure that their clients receive the help and support they deserve, and these must be characteristics of any law firm you refer a client to. A history of positive testimonials from previous clients says volumes about your referral partner’s dedication to its clients.
A firm with a record of major awards in the courtroom and in settlement for catastrophic injuries and wrongful death
A history of substantial settlements and jury verdicts in complex cases is the hallmark of referral partners who are serious, skilled, and unafraid of the courtroom. Those characteristics are critical when referring a complex, challenging, or major case to a referral firm. Those attributes tell your client that the firm you have selected to help them is willing to fight up to and through trial to obtain the maximum possible compensation for their losses.
A firm that doesn’t accept the first settlement offer, but works hard to make sure that the last dime owed to your client is recovered
In selecting a firm to partner with, you want to make sure that the firm you choose has the financial stability to prosecute any case, no matter how long it takes or how much it costs, to obtain the last dime owed to your client. Taking an initial settlement offer or convincing the client to take less than is owed are not characteristics that you want in a referral firm. Good, skilled, experienced and fearless lawyers understand how much is owed, what probable jury verdicts look like, what the risks and benefits to the client are of trial, and will transparently discuss all of those issues with your client, and you, to make sure that any decisions about settlement or pre trial resolution are made for the right reasons and in the right amount.
A firm with a licensed medical Doctor on staff to help analyze complex medical issues and network with medical experts
Where physical or emotional injury is the focus of the litigation, it only makes sense to find a referral firm that has a full-time M.D. JD on staff. Having a skilled physician, who is also a lawyer, acting as part of your referral team guarantees that the full panoply of injuries sustained by the client is recognized, evaluated, worked-up, and described with accuracy to a judge, jury, or mediator. Having an MD JD on staff also assists in hiring and collaborating with the right experts for the injuries sustained by your client. Personal injury damages are focused on treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis. An on-staff doctor is an attribute that very few firms possess.
A firm committed to keeping its clients informed and involved throughout the case
When attorneys are looking for a referral firm, they want to make sure that whoever they select keeps the client informed. They don’t want to hear complaints from the client that they have selected a firm that doesn’t answer phone calls, or doesn’t keep the client updated, or talks down to the client. After all, the case is about the client, not the lawyers. A commitment to transparency and communication makes sure that the only thing you hear from your clients is “thank you” after you have referred them to the right referral partner.
A firm that is financially sound and honors its agreement to pay agreed-upon referral fees
When selecting a firm to partner with, honesty and integrity are key. When cases are referred and a referral fee, or a fee sharing, is part of the agreement, it’s critical that the referral partner fulfill its written obligations. It’s also important that any fee-sharing agreement be reduced to writing and approved by the client, consistent with appropriate State Bar requirements. The fee to the client must be fair and consistent with State Bar rules. While the contingency fee system permits injured clients with few resources to secure good lawyers, the lawyers must recognize that any contingency fee must be fair in light of the nature and extent of the injury, the amount of work that will be undertaken, the financial investment to be made by the firm, and the cost of turning down other cases in order to work on the matter you are referring.
A firm with the economic resources to finance litigation against defendants who have substantial assets
Major corporations, health insurers, casualty insurers, and public entities’ insurance companies have nearly unlimited budgets to defend claims. The referral Partner you select needs to be similarly situated in terms of the ability to finance litigation brought on behalf of your client. The cost of prosecution under contingent fee agreements can be a major burden – experts are expensive, discovery is expensive, exhibits are expensive, travel is expensive, trial preparation and conduct are expensive, and appeals are expensive. Your partner lawyer must be able to finance the case dollar for dollar to combat he behemoth on the other side.
Plaintiffs’ lawyers often refer cases to firms known for securing top-dollar insurance recoveries for deserving clients.
When choosing a referral partner, it’s important to consider the firm’s proven track record, something you can verify through court results, judge feedback, and peer reputation. Consistent referrals that yield consistent, strong outcomes build a reputation rooted in fact. Ultimately, any decision to refer a seriously injured client should be guided by what’s in the client’s best interest, and a firm’s history of results is a key factor in making that determination.
A firm dedicated to social justice and advocacy for underrepresented plaintiffs
The ideal referral partner should seek justice for those who have been wronged, advocating for the rights of underserved people in the community. By seeking to invoke change at an institutional level, you have chosen a firm with a conscience.
A firm recognized and rated by “Best Lawyers In America”, ABOTA, and ACTL
The Best Lawyers, ABOTA, and the American College of Trial Lawyers are reputable entities that have been around for many years and whose stamp of approval or citation of excellence are reasonable indicators of a firm’s success.
A firm known to judges and other lawyers as being a leader in the bar
The ideal referral partner has a verifiable reputation among lawyers and judges that is excellent in all respects in upholding the highest professional and ethical legal standards.
A large enough firm so that every client can have at least two experienced lawyers assigned to their case
Some law firms delegate cases to paralegals or junior associates because they are understaffed or overworked. The ideal referral partner should have sufficient staff and experienced counsel so that, regardless of size, at least two lawyers in the firm are available at any time to provide personalized attention to the client.
A firm known for teaching other lawyers how to handle cases in law schools and advocacy programs for practicing attorneys
Attorneys who are capable of teaching other lawyers the proper methods of representation almost always have superior talent in the courtroom, with exceptional knowledge, skills, and experience.