I don't think so!

I have 2 questions: 1. WHY are they always sleazy? and 2. WHY do the always wear tacky hats and cheap, shiny suits? It's a given! And no, I would not use anyone who had to stoop to that type of advertisement.

Not the ones fishing for a case. Like the guy who wants yu to sue a nursing home because your 104 year old grandma kicked it there. If it's just "If you need a will or other legal document made out and filed for you," I see no reason not to. Will save ya from a Google search or a phone book shuffle. They also advertise in the phone book, so really see no difference.

I wouldn't, but I've had acquaintances who've use them (mostly for DUI reprsentation) and they've had nothing but good things to say. As sleazy as they may come across in their advertisements, TV lawyers (or "ambulance chasers") often have so much experience in a particular jurisdiction that they've built connections with all of the "high-rollers" in that area (judges, DAs, even the police).

Depends...on a lot of things.. but I probably would if he met my criteria otherwise.

I got one from a radio ad once...big mistake. Mostly, once you start the wheels rolling it is hard to change council in mid stream. You really have to shop. Do you want a hungry lawyer? His aggression might be just what your case needs. Compassion? Experience? How do you pick? Figure that one out and let me know. A client/lawyer has to be a working relationship. You have to trust him to know what to do and he has to think more of you than just being a cash cow. I'd say it's a gut thing. Take advantage of the free consultations. See many. Don't let on you are shopping and don't sign anything before you are sure about the person and that they will represent YOUR interest.

I think I would ask family or friends first who they recommend.

As a paralegal for seventeen years, I would say as a general rule no, do not hire an attorney that advertises on television. There are so many reasons why but mostly I think that attorneys who advertise run their law firms like an assembly line and you will not get the personal attention you want and many of them have absolutely no court experience - they settle everything. Most good attorneys do not need to advertise - their clients come from reputation and word-of-mouth. Get opinions from friends and family and if you know any court clerks, they know who the great attorneys are.

Actually PartRadio, I completely disagree. The experience that these attorneys have is in dealing with insurance companies and knowing exactly what kind of injury will pay what kind of money. Soft tissue injuries are considered nuisance lawsuits and insurance companies have a set amount that they will pay out to get rid of the case. The attorney is doing nothing more than gathering your medical records and putting together a boiler plate demand letter to the insurance companies. Something along the lines of: My client experienced the following injuries [insert terms from medical records here]. I know because as a legal assistant for these attorneys, I have typed hundreds of those reports. I literally could send you the same letter, you could insert your own information and not have to pay a percentage to one of those attorneys. You could probably find one of the boiler plate letters on the net if your researched it. On the other hand, if you are seriously injured, you need an attorney and I would call friends and family or do a google search for articles that personal injury attorneys in your town have written. I beg to differ that they have connections with all of the "high-rollers" in that area. They have more contact but not necessarily more connection. Those are two different things. I have a fit whenever I hear of one of my friends going to one of those attorneys. Most paralegals and legal assistants will not send their family and friends to them. That should tell you something.

I probably couldn't afford an attorney who can afford to advertise on TV.