Working with an Attorney in New Jersey

by Cynthia Lambert, Law Section, New Jersey State Research Library
Published on March 18, 2025

However, there will be times when legal research isn’t enough, and you’ll need to work with an attorney. Finding the right attorney requires some effort—unlike choosing a restaurant or hotel, you won’t find reliable online rating sites to guide you. In this blog, we’ll explore the steps you can take to identify and select the best attorney for your needs.

What to Consider When Looking for an Attorney

Before you even begin looking for an attorney’s name, consider the following three points.

1. Practice Area: The attorney you used (and loved) when buying your home is probably not the attorney you will want to use for a legal issue that doesn’t involve real estate. However, a trusted attorney might be a great source for getting a recommendation for an attorney that does specialize in the practice area you need. In 1980, the New Jersey Supreme Court created the Board on Attorney Certification.  This program is designed to help consumers make informed decisions when seeking and selecting a lawyer. It protects them from false advertising. It also helps build attorney competence in a specific area of the law.
2. Location: While any lawyer authorized to work in New Jersey can represent you, consider their location when researching the best lawyer for your case. You may meet in person several times, you may need to deliver documents to the office, etc. In addition, most municipal and county courts have local rules and processes which an attorney working locally will likely know. Your lawyer will also likely know the judges, prosecutors, and possibly the opposing counsel working in the court where your case is being heard.
3. Communication: The biggest complaint we hear about attorneys is a perceived lack of communication.  As you are considering attorneys, think about how they will communicate with you over the course of your case and how frequently; how quickly you can expect a response from them when you reach out; and which staff or other members of the practice will be responding to your requests. You will want to have a good working relationship with your attorney.  Will you feel comfortable disclosing detailed personal and sensitive information to this person?  Do you like how they respond to your questions? Findlaw provides a list of questions to ask an attorney before hiring them.

The American Bar Association Consumers’ Guide to Legal Help offers a section dedicated to assisting the public in how to find a lawyer.  This section uses a question/answer format, and many topics are covered.  The topics include what to look for in an attorney, specialized practices, and where to look for an attorney (including their state by state referral service).

How Do You Find a New Jersey Attorney?

Now that you have determined the Practice Area, Location, and Communication Style you want, you can start looking for an Attorney that will meet those requirements. 

Don’t underestimate the power of a recommendation!

Perhaps your real estate attorney can recommend an attorney to handle a medical malpractice claim for you. Ask family and friends about their experiences with attorneys.  Be sure to ask them what they liked about the attorney, what area of the law they specialize in, and how the attorney communicated with them. Your employer or union may offer legal assistance services.

There are organizations that can help you find attorneys in the practice area you need.  

Can’t Afford an Attorney?

Affording an attorney can be very difficult.  There are a few options in NJ for low cost or free legal representation:

• New Jersey Judiciary Pro Bono Portal 
  The New Jersey Judiciary has a web-based portal for finding pro bono representation for criminal cases only.
• Rutgers University Law School Clinics 
  Offers legal clinics where law students, supervised by full-time Law School faculty, provide legal services and assistance to clients on a wide range of topics including child advocacy, domestic violence, education, entrepreneurship, immigration, and intellectual property.
• Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
  Provides free legal services throughout New Jersey to economically disadvantaged adults, children, and families.
• Seton Hall Center for Legal Justice 
  Offers legal clinics where law students, supervised by full-time Law School faculty, provide legal services and assistance to financially disadvantaged clients in New Jersey.

Is there a Way to Determine if an Attorney has been Disciplined?

What to Do If You Are Upset with Your Attorney

There are times when your relationship with your lawyer may not be going the way you want it to go. 

A common complaint we hear at our Law Library is that a lawyer is unresponsive.  While communications with clients is covered in the Rules of Professional Conduct, the rule is broad. 

Frustrated clients are usually looking for assistance on filing a grievance against their attorney with the Office of Attorney Ethics.  Filing a grievance is one path that can be taken.  However filing a grievance is a slow process, and it will not compel your attorney to act or respond immediately.

While you may need to file a grievance at some point, there are things you can do before escalating to the level of a grievance:

• The American Bar Association provides advice and strategies for working with your attorney when you are unhappy with them.
• NOLO, the legal publisher dedicated to making legal information accessible to non-lawyers, has published “What to Do When You’re Mad at Your Lawyer”.

If you do feel your attorney has acted unethically, there is a process for filing a grievance or settling a fee dispute. 

Check out our research guide on Attorney Ethics & Discipline for more information.

In Closing

Doing the research needed before hiring an attorney is a smart and economical use of your time.  Legal issues cause stress and can feel impossible to manage.  The attorney/client relationship you have can make navigating the legal landscape easier and less stressful.  Picking the right attorney can make all the difference. 

For more information on this topic and other New Jersey Law related topics, check our Legal Resources Research Guide.