Legal Services Require Trust: 5 Key Criteria for Choosing The Right Lawyer for Your Business
Legal services are a sensitive area. You’re sharing confidential information and receiving advice that can significantly impact your business. That’s why it’s essential to take the process of choosing a lawyer for your company seriously. In this article, we’ve outlined 5 key criteria to keep in mind when selecting a legal professional. These tips apply […]
These tips apply whether you’re hiring an in-house lawyer or working with an external legal consultant. Remember: the format of your collaboration is up to you — it should align with your business goals and the volume of legal tasks you’re dealing with.
Education
Always check your potential lawyer’s educational background. Pay attention to the university’s ranking — but more importantly, to the country where they studied. It’s crucial that the lawyer received their education in the country where they currently practice.
Think of it this way: a dentist trained in Europe doesn’t need to completely retrain when moving to the U.S. — after all, European and American teeth aren’t that different. Of course, they’ll need to validate their qualifications, learn local regulations, drug names, and some technicalities. But the core foundation remains the same.
Law is a completely different story. Legal systems vary greatly from country to country — civil law vs. common law, statutes vs. precedents. And that’s not even mentioning the countless differences in local regulations. Without the proper legal education, a lawyer is essentially useless.
Ideally, your lawyer should have studied at a local university and in the local language. This gives you confidence that your legal documents are correctly drafted and all interactions with government authorities are handled appropriately.
It’s also important that your lawyer doesn’t stop learning after graduation. Laws change constantly, and a good legal professional should be committed to staying up to date and continuously improving their qualifications.
This is exactly the approach Oxana Brizmer, partner at Herz Lawyers, follows. Oxana has already earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Leiden University and her Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Amsterdam (UvA). Yet she continues to study, grow, and refine her expertise. This commitment to continuous learning allows her to stay on top of legal developments and offer our clients the most up-to-date and effective legal solutions.
Experience
Experience matters in every profession — and law is no exception. Once again, pay close attention to where the experience was gained and how relevant it is to your specific legal issue. If you’re facing an employment dispute in the Netherlands, a criminal defense lawyer from California with 20 years of experience is unlikely to be the right fit. Don’t hesitate to ask a lawyer where exactly they’ve practiced.
At Herz Lawyers, for example, our team is transparent about their backgrounds and professional experience. You can find all the details on our website in the About Us section.
Case Studies
Before you start working with a lawyer, take a look at their past cases. These are often shared on the firm’s website, or you can simply ask during the consultation whether they’ve handled matters similar to yours. This is especially important if you’re in a niche industry like R&D, IT, HoReCa, or construction. You want someone who understands the specific challenges your business faces — not someone who’s learning on the fly. If a lawyer has successfully handled similar cases before, there’s a good chance they’ll know how to navigate your situation and deliver real results.
Don’t hesitate to ask about similar cases the lawyer has handled. It’s completely reasonable to want to know if they’ve dealt with situations like yours. However, keep in mind that lawyers aren’t always able to share specific details, names, or outcomes due to client confidentiality. After all, you may soon become their client too — and you probably wouldn’t want your own legal matters discussed with others.
Client Reviews Matter
Not every legal case can be turned into a public case study. There are many reasons for that — NDAs, sensitive matters, or simply uncommon legal issues. In such situations, client reviews can be incredibly helpful. Check reviews on the firm’s website, Google Maps, or trusted legal platforms. And if you find out that the lawyer has worked with someone you know — even a friend of a friend — don’t hesitate to ask about their experience. Was the lawyer professional and knowledgeable? Was the collaboration smooth and comfortable? These firsthand insights can be just as valuable as formal credentials
The First Consultation Is Key
You can study the website thoroughly and read countless reviews — but sometimes, the moment you sit down for the first consultation, you just know: this isn’t the right fit. Remember, a lawyer is like a doctor. You’ll be sharing everything about the “health” of your business — including details only your closest partners might know. That’s why trust and personal comfort are essential. You need to feel at ease and confident in their presence. And that’s something you can only truly gauge during a real conversation. So whenever possible, schedule the consultation in person or via video call — not just over email or chat.
At Herz Lawyers, this is exactly the approach we take. That’s why we invite all potential clients to meet with us at our office for an initial consultation. If you have a legal question or need assistance, simply submit a request — and we’ll get back to you within 3 hours.