Show notes
How do you actually pick the right lawyer without getting misled by billboards, online noise, or empty promises?In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa walk through the smartest (and safest) ways to find an attorney who genuinely fits your case.From why “phone a friend” still works better than Google, to the danger signs of attorneys who guarantee outcomes, to what intake calls should sound like, this episode breaks down the real-world process of hiring a lawyer the right way.You’ll hear insider insights on referrals, reviews, pricing models, red flags, and the questions clients rarely ask - but absolutely should.🕒 Chapters:00:00 – Intro 00:42 – How Most People Start the Attorney Search 02:12 – Why “Phone a Friend” Still Works 04:02 – Google vs. Real Referrals 06:15 – Billboards & Advertising: Does It Matter? 08:05 – Using the State Bar to Find Lawyers 09:46 – What Happens When You First Call a Law Firm 11:34 – Red Flags: Promises, Guarantees & “I Never Lose” 14:58 – Flat Fees vs. Hourly Billing 17:15 – Professionalism: Talking Trash About Other Lawyers 19:50 – Fit Matters: Hiring the Attorney You Actually Connect With 22:30 – Online Reviews: What They Really Mean 25:00 – Great Questions Clients Should Be Asking 27:45 – The Strangest Intake Questions Attorneys Have Heard 30:40 – Final Thoughts: Hire Smart, Not Fast📌 Key Takeaways:Referrals from trusted people are still the most reliable way to find good counsel.Be wary of attorneys who guarantee results—they can’t.Flat fees in family law often create conflicts of interest; hourly billing is usually fairer.Reviews matter, but extremes (great or terrible) need context.Hiring a lawyer is personal—fit and communication style matter more than marketing.Smart clients ask about process, expectations, experience, and who will actually handle the case.Lawyers Without Billboards is hosted by Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, and Alexa Lewis, partners at Shewmaker & Lewis — a family law firm based in Atlanta, Georgia.📺 Episode also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XcgYdFvusws📩 Contact: [email protected] 🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com 🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards📺 Subscribe for new episodes and candid conversations about family law, custody, and criminal defense.🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc. 🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner 📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA
