Short answer: Verify three things: whether the lawyer is board-certified by the State Bar of Arizona in Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation (roughly 93 attorneys statewide are), what the contingency fee is and whether it rises in litigation, and which attorney will actually handle your file rather than a case manager.
Board certification is the one credential you can verify
Arizona is one of a minority of states with a formal legal specialization programme. The State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization certifies attorneys in Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation, and roughly 93 attorneys statewide currently hold it. Certification requires demonstrated trial experience, peer review and continuing education.
Unlike "top rated" or "best of" badges — many of which are paid placements — you can verify certification yourself in the State Bar’s public directory.
Ask what the fee actually is
Contingency fees are not standardised. Ask two questions: what is the percentage, and does it increase if the case goes into litigation. Many agreements step up automatically. Ask whether costs come out before or after the fee is calculated — it changes what you actually receive.
For reference, Hirsch & Lyon charges 25% on cases settled without litigation and 30% in litigation, plus costs. See how personal injury fees work.
Ask who handles the file
At high-volume firms the attorney you meet is frequently not the person who works your case. Ask directly: who will I speak to, and will an attorney or a case manager be handling it?
Criteria worth weighing
- Board certification in injury and wrongful death litigation
- Actual trial experience — not every firm tries cases, and insurers know which ones do not
- Arizona-specific practice; deadlines and comparative fault rules are state law
- Fee structure in writing, including the litigation step-up
- Direct attorney access
- Bar standing, verifiable in the public directory
Questions people ask
Does "best personal injury lawyer" mean anything?
Not by itself. Many rankings are paid placements or unvetted directories. Board certification by the State Bar of Arizona is verifiable and merit-based; marketing superlatives are not.
How many board-certified injury specialists are there in Arizona?
Roughly 93 attorneys statewide hold certification in Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation from the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.
Should I choose the firm with the biggest advertising presence?
Advertising spend measures marketing budget, not case outcomes. It often correlates with high case volume, which can mean less individual attorney attention.
What should I bring to a first consultation?
The police report if you have it, photographs, insurance information for all parties, and any medical records or bills to date. If you do not have them yet, come anyway — the deadline runs regardless.
Verify us against your own list
Jack Hirsch, Bar No. 46508, admitted 1988, board-certified since 2017. Free case review: 602-535-1900.
