“To… not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues” – Sun Tzu
People ask me what to look for in an attorney. Whether it’s family law, litigation, or a criminal case, I always say the same thing: Look for someone who prepares.
How do you know if someone prepares? Easy, ask. But you need to ask the right question. If you ask, “Do you prepare for trial?” every attorney will say “yes.” A more telling question is “What did you do to make sure you would win your last trial?”
You should hear something like, “I interviewed my client and reviewed documents so I would be familiar with the facts of the case.” Or “After I understood the facts, I looked for legal areas we could exploit and I filed several pre-trial motions.”
Preparation is the key to winning. Everything else is just luck.
