Meet with more than one prospective divorce lawyer and interview them as you would interview anyone you would hire. If you do not feel that you like or connect with the lawyer, cross him off your list. You will need to work with this person on a matter that is very important in your life. You do not want to work on your life with someone you don't like or have a bad feeling toward. Go with your instinct.
If the divorce lawyer does not clearly explain what his/her fees are, when fees are charged, how and when you must pay fees, and what happens to any money you have paid in advance if you decide to part ways, cross the lawyer off your list. Your focus must be on getting through your case with your spouse, not adding another dispute with your lawyer.
Go to your divorce lawyer interviews with questions. Be as specific as possible. If you are spoken to in a condescending manner, or made to feel foolish for any question you ask, cross the lawyer off your list. Every client deserves to be treated with courtesy and respect. You need to feel that your lawyer is on your side. The last thing you need is to be insulted, berated or made to feel stupid by someone who is supposed to be supporting you.
If the divorce attorney says or suggests that he/she can help you get "revenge" against your spouse by using the court process, cross the attorney off your list. Revenge is expensive when it comes to legal action. It takes time and money - both of which are contrary to your interest. Getting divorced is about dissolving your marriage in a manner that is equitable under the circumstance of the divorcing couple. It is not about revenge.
If the divorce lawyer says or suggests that any child of your marriage can be used as a bargaining chip or tool for demanding something else you want from the divorce, cross the lawyer off your list. This is lacking in integrity and respect for your child(ren). Plus, if it backfires, you could be the recipient of a very unexpected outcome in your case.
Never hire an attorney at your first meeting. One of the most common complaints from clients about their divorce lawyers is that the lawyer fails to return the client's telephone calls. Test this by calling the lawyer's office a couple of times before hiring him/her. If the lawyer or someone from the lawyer's office does not return your call within 1-2 business days, cross him/her off your list. At best, this is an indication that the lawyer does not have enough time to pay attention to you or your case. At worst, it is disrespectful and inconsiderate. Whatever the case, you should not tolerate it.
Do not only interview lawyers who offer a "free consultation". The primary goal of some "free consultation attorneys" is to get you into the office to sign on as a client after having a chit-chat session about why you should hire the lawyer rather than any real assessment of your case. The best lawyer may, and probably will, charge for an initial consultation. If so, the lawyer should be actively engaged in gathering relevant facts of the circumstances of your marriage, and making an honest assessment of the pros and cons of your divorce case.

Tips

Here are some additional tips with respect to hiring your divorce attorney:
Do not hire your friends or a friend of a family member or a friend of your friend unless you follow the above list. Give each prospective lawyer the same evaluation. Do not make allowances for connections through friendship or family. If your relationship with the lawyer goes bad, the relationship with your friend or family member who referred you could go even worse.
Do not hire a lawyer who does little or no divorce work. While some lawyers do a variety of different types of work, your attorney's little to no divorce experience gives you little to no chance against any experienced attorney your spouse might hire.

Warnings

Here are some signs that you may have hired the wrong lawyer and should consider firing him:
Your relationship with the divorce lawyer has broken down. You become uncomfortable talking with your lawyer or are afraid to ask questions about your case.
You are ignored or abandoned by your divorce attorney when you go to court. This happens when your lawyer goes off to joke and laugh with his pals while you are waiting for your case to come before the judge, while you stand there alone and afraid of what to expect when your case is heard. This is particularly painful when the "pal" your lawyer is off playing with is your spouse's attorney.

Sources and Citations

- www.McKinleyIrvin.com - A guide on the top ten qualities to look for in your divorce lawyer.

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