By Rebecca Wade
Hiring the right attorney isn’t easy, but can largely determine the outcome of your case. Attorney Rebecca Wade explains the significant advantages of hiring a former public defender to take on your criminal or family law case.
1. Former public defenders have more extensive experience trying cases in court.
“The reality is, public defenders spend a lot of time in court,” explains Wade. “They have experience balancing enormous caseloads, which is a huge asset because they are often extremely comfortable trying cases in court. Much more so than an attorney who only has experience in private practice is likely to be, working for the same amount of time.”
2. Former public defenders are familiar with diverse cases and backgrounds.
Especially in the DMV area, an attorney’s ability to navigate the diversity of the region is critical to success in the courtroom. “Public defenders learn how to work with people from all walks of life. They regularly interact with people of different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and who speak different languages,” says Wade. “In a legal setting, knowing how to work well with diverse populations is a huge advantage in putting your case together because you never know what witness you might have or who is going to be on the opposing side.”
3. Former public defenders know how to interact with law enforcement.
“Attorneys with public defender backgrounds gain vast experience interacting with the police. They learn how to read police reports and how best to communicate with and obtain information from law enforcement,” says Wade. “In cases with police involvement, it’s important that your lawyer knows how to properly deal with law enforcement.”
About the Author
Rebecca Janet Wade
Rebecca Wade is a partner at Wade Grimes Friedman Meinken & Leischner PLLC, practicing in all areas of family law and criminal law having experience with protective orders, divorce, child custody and visitation, child protective services investigations, juvenile delinquency, and criminal charges.
Wade has been named a 2023 Best Lawyer in America by U.S. News & World Report, a 2023 Super Lawyer in Northern Virginia and Washington D.C., and a 2020-2021 Top Lawyer by Northern Virginia Magazine.
