Adulting
A checklist for finding the right lawyer to represent you
By Chrissy Mann
Let’s be real: No one wakes up hoping to hire a personal injury attorney. When people call my office, it’s usually because something has gone wrong: an accident, an injury, a moment that interrupted their life. When you call a lawyer (any lawyer), you’re not just looking for legal help; you’re looking for someone to steady the ground beneath you.
That’s why I’ve never believed that the most important question is, “What do I do after a car accident?” The more important question, the one that actually shapes your experience, is: How do I find a lawyer I can trust?
As the founder and principal attorney of Mann Law, I am guided by that question for every decision I make about our practice. Here’s what you should know.
01 | SCALE
Some firms are designed around volume. This means they’re built and rely on how many cases like yours they can move through the system as efficiently as possible. Other firms, like ours, are built around people. And when you’re the one who’s hurt, overwhelmed, and trying to make sense of what comes next, that difference matters.
02 | LISTENING SKILLS
First, pay attention to how they listen. When someone comes to us, we don’t start with paperwork. We start with your story. What happened? How has it affected your life? What are you worried about right now? Real care begins with curiosity and respect, not assumptions. If you feel rushed, minimized, or like just another number, trust that instinct. The right firm will make you feel heard before anything else.
03 | FOCUSED ON YOU
Legal processes are intimidating. A firm that cares will take the time to explain things clearly, answer your questions (even the ones you think you shouldn’t have to ask), and keep you informed at every step. You shouldn’t have to chase your attorney for updates or feel left in the dark about your own case. You shouldn’t be chasing anyone. You should feel like your attorney is five steps ahead.
04 | REPUTATION
Consider their relationships, not just their results. One of the things I’m most proud of is what our clients say about their experience with us. That’s what matters, not just winning, but how someone feels when it’s all over.
05 | AFTER HOURS
This one is often overlooked. Look at how a firm shows up in its community when they’re not working. If a law firm is truly people-focused, that commitment doesn’t stop at the office door. It extends outward. For us, that means actively supporting the communities we serve. We’re honored to be the Home Away From Home Partner of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine, helping provide comfort and stability to families during some of their hardest moments. It means sponsoring local Little League programs across Portland, Cumberland/North Yarmouth, Yarmouth, and all the way to Bangor and Brewer. It means showing up for organizations like Girls on the Run, Drive Fore Kids, and the Olympia Snowe Institute.Why does that matter when you’re choosing a lawyer? Because it tells you what a firm values. If they invest in people when there’s nothing to gain, they’re more likely to stand by you when everything is on the line.
06 | TRUST YOUR GUT
You don’t need a legal background to know when someone is genuinely in your corner. You can feel it in the way they speak to you, the way they follow through, the way they treat you on your hardest day.
Choosing a law firm is a big decision—one that can shape not just the outcome of your case, but your experience of getting there.
My advice? Don’t just ask what a firm can do for you. Ask who they are. Because when the dust settles, what you’ll remember isn’t just the result. It’s how you were treated along the way.
Go behind the scenes with Chrissy Mann.