The key to a successful, quick divorce is a good divorce lawyer. Thus, it is imperative that you choose the perfect divorce lawyer to represent your case. Looking through the yellow pages and randomly picking a name just wouldn't cut it. You have to choose your divorce lawyer wisely, carefully, and strategically.When you are searching for a divorce lawyer, you are interviewing for a job opening. You will be hiring that lawyer - he / she will be working for you. So you have every right to 'interrogate' the lawyer (think of it as a job interview) before you actually hire him / her. During that interview, find out about the lawyer's years of practice, area of expertise, records of win, hourly rate and such.
Family Law Expert
For the area of expertise, you would want to have a family law expert on your side. If your divorce lawyer is an expert on family law, he / she will be able to defend your case thoroughly. He / she will be able to guide you with regards to child custody, child support, and alimony issues. After you have established your lawyer's expertise in this area, determine his years of practice in this area. Ask the lawyer to talk about the last divorce case he represented. Years of experience are really very important alongside with the area of expertise. If the lawyer has only practiced family law for a year, you may have doubts just then. You'll feel safer with a divorce lawyer who's had years of experience in his belt.
Court Experience
In some cases (especially those in the middle of a divorce property negotiation) out of court settlements do not work out. Thus, you should always be prepared to go into court. You need a divorce lawyer who has considerable court experience. Again, ask the lawyer about his court experiences. Ask him too when he last represented a divorce case in court. A lawyer who's had a lot of experience in court will be able to represent you very well. He is knowledgeable of strategies and techniques especially used in court.
Personality
A lawyer should be a chameleon and a brilliant strategist. When the situation calls for firm yet unyielding - he should be able to bring it. When the situation calls for aggressiveness - he should be able to bring that as well. Also, choose a lawyer that puts you first. You are the client and you should be the most important part of the case. He should be able to listen to you. He should know what you want and he should deliver it. In any case, choose a lawyer you are comfortable with. Someone you can be honest with. You don't want those nasty surprises revealed by the other party. That will leave your lawyer unprepared.