Bankruptcy law is a specialty, so you’ll want to find a lawyer who does most of their work in the bankruptcy law field and is a certified specialist.  Certified specialist normally charge about the same as non-certified attorneys.  While a simple bankruptcy is simple, it may take a specialist to know if your case is simple.

Consider what your goal is going into a bankruptcy: a fresh start through a Chapter 7, which is generally simpler, or a reorganization of a business or your personal finances through a Chapter 11, 12, or 13? These are generally more complex, and bankruptcy lawyers tend to have sub-specialties in these areas.

Gather names of prospects

• Ask lawyers or other professionals you know for recommendations
• Check local bar associations, such as the Kern County Bar Association, state bar bar associations, such the the California State Bar.
• Bankruptcy is a specialty.  So, you should look for a certified specialists.  The two organizations that are authorized to issue specialist certifications for bankruptcy in California are the American Board of Certification and the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization.  You may check their web sites for lists of certified attorneys. 
• Most bankruptcy lawyers advertise, since they hope not to have repeat business, but must continually draw new clients.  Therefore, the yellow pages under the bankruptcy law section are a good source.  In Bakersfield, California, the major telephone books are produced by A T & T Yellow Pages, Valley Yellow Pages, and Yellow Book.  In smaller communities like Delano, you might try the Delano Handi Directory.  In Taft, the local directory published by Kern Publishing will have local attorneys.   

Narrow the list

Gather information about the lawyer, including:

• The amount and type of bankruptcy cases filed per year.
• Check to see if the lawyer is certified. 
• The more complex your financial situation, the more you will benefit from the skills of a lawyer who concentrates his practice in this field and has done many bankruptcy cases like yours.
• Check the web for information by or about the lawyer
• Call the office of the lawyer and ask about the lawyer’s experience and how much of his/her practice is devoted to bankruptcy of the kind that you think you’ll be needing.

Make an appointment

Many consumer bankruptcy lawyers offer free initial bankruptcy consultations.  After interviewing a lawyer, you should not choose the cheapest.  You can’t afford to have your case done badly, no matter how much money you appear to save.

If you make an appointment and later decide not to keep it, have the courtesy to call and cancel the appointment.

Consider the following questions and points: