I have been practicing law for over 20 years. Having wrestled with the challenges of practicing law personally, and by observing how other lawyers have responded to them, I have developed a set of standards that I try to adhere to and that I would look for in an attorney.
First and foremost, an attorney should be someone his client could trust implicitly. He would earn that trust by demonstrating a commitment to his client and that client's interests that would not be compromised by his own greed, ego, competitive instincts or desire to be liked. Further, he should do what he says he will do.
An attorney's billing practices should be forthright and honest and would represent a fair reflection of the value delivered. Most importantly, he should utilize his skills and understanding to operate in a manner that would be most cost-effective to his client, without the client having to closely manage him.
An attorney should have the courage to stand his ground while advocating an unpopular course of action to his client, but would also respect the client's right to make decisions for himself. An attorney should also help the client make good decisions on complicated matters by articulating clearly and simply both the relevant law as well as the consequences of various courses of action.
An attorney should define the quality of his work by results that are important to the client, as defined by the client, and not by the internal standards of the profession. Finally, an attorney should possess superb negotiating skills as well as a firm grasp of the law in the relevant subject matter.