That means that the law firm had to settle cases with fees over half a million dollars a year before they made a single dollar for themselves. Do you think that put a LITTLE ECONOMIC PRESSURE on those lawyers ? Do you think that the lawyers of the big volume firms have an incentive to bring in money quickly to get the advertising bill paid ? As they used to say on “Laugh In,” – “YOU BET YOUR SWEET BIPPIE !”

SO, what can you do to make sure your case is not “processed” by some “volume shop” ? Here are a dpozen things you can check out:

1. Make sure the law firm you have chosen ACTUALLY TRIES CASES ON A REGULAR BASIS.

2. Call the local or State Bar Association to make sure that the firm is on the “Lawyer Referral Service” as this means they are in good standing, insured and not subject to dsiciplinary action.

3. Talk to other clients and see what their experiences have been.

4. Watch them “in action,” in court, or teaching other lawyers, judges or the public.

5. Do they have the highest (“A-V”) ratings in the Martindale Hubbell Directory of Lawyers ?

A. DO they have an “A” rating, which is the highest rating for legal skill ?

B. DO they have a “V” rating for Ethical Standards ?

6. Are they recognized by their peers (other lawyers who actually try cases and know their work product and skills) in “BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA” and “SUPER LAWYERS” ?

7. Check to see if there are reported case results in the area of law or of the type of case you have in Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Metro Verdicts Monthly, The ATLA (now AAJ) Law Reporter, VTLA Law Letter ?

8. Have they ever had a case featured on the front page or back page of any of the periodicals listed in #7., above ?

9. Is the lawyer licensed in the state(s) where you need legal help ?

10. Can the lawyer handle ALL of your injury and disability needs ? Are they experienced in personal injury, workers compensation AND Social Security DIsability cases ? Or do they outsource some of these cases ?

11. Have cases they have handled created new law, expanded the rights of the injured and disabled, and have they “put their money where their mouth is ?” regardless of the popularity of their position and its likely economic benefit ?

12. Look to see if they GIVE BACK to organizations that speak on behalf of injured victims and their families. Speakers and writers for these organizations are usually not paid, and do so because they are truly committed to helping people and giving back to the groups that help the injured and disabled.

A. Do they contribute time, effort and money to the American Association for Justice (“AAJ”) ?

B. Are they members of the “WIlliamsburg Society” – the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association’s (VTLA) HIGHEST level of contributors, for legislative, lobbying and other assistance to injured victims and their families ?

C. Do they teach fo the “not for profit” state, local and NATIONAL trial lawyer associations (like AAJ, VTLA, The VIrginia State Bar, etc.) ?

D. Do they teach, speak and assist state governmental agencies, like the VIrginia State Bar, the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission ?

E. Have they published in PEER REVIEWED law or medical journals. “PEER REVIEWED” meens that not every article sbmitted gets published, but must be reviewed for expertise, accuracy and truth. Have they published articles in NATIONAL or STATE TRIAL LAWYER magazines or journals ?