By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 19, 2022
Many attorneys will probably be angry with this article. The honest attorneys will agree with what we explain here. Vanity awards have heavily infiltrated the legal profession. Companies that have no valid legal credentials or recognition often sell these awards to lawyers who are looking for recognition in their field. Beware of fake attorney awards when looking for a Michigan criminal defense attorney.
Unfortunately, many lawyers buy them because they offer the promise of a prestigious award without having to go through any vetting process or hard work. You can pay a fee and get an “award” from them with no questions asked and no actual qualifications necessary.
These awards may look impressive at first glance, but they lack credibility. Someone looking for an attorney should think twice about hiring a lawyer who posts these fake awards and badges on their website. Vanity awards don’t carry any weight with clients or the court system, and they can actually hurt you in the long run.
A company that is not registered with any recognized legal accreditation body may sell these awards. This means that their “award” has no actual value and cannot help a lawyer’s career except misleading the client. We argue that simply purchasing such an award should put the attorney at risk of disciplinary action from the State Bar of Michigan or other regulating bodies.
We believe that attorneys who use these fake awards to boost their qualifications are risking their reputation and credibility as an attorney when potential clients learn the awards are fake. No amount of fake recognition is worth sacrificing professional standing. Instead, attorneys should focus on obtaining meaningful awards from organizations that have legitimate credentials and recognition within the legal profession.
Be sure to do your due diligence when looking for a criminal attorney, as some are legitimate, but others could fake their credentials.
Protecting yourself from an unqualified attorney who uses fake attorney vanity awards is essential if you want the best criminal attorney for your case. Doing your research and avoiding scams will help you find the best Michigan criminal attorney near you.
Beware of fake attorney awards used by Michigan criminal defense attorneys.
Be wary of the attorney who has several “best lawyer” this or “top 100” that badges on their website. I want you to look at several attorney websites and you will come across them. The lawyers buy them and did not earn them. They want you, the person who needs a criminal defense attorney, to believe they have outstanding credentials, so you will hire them. How do we know, because our office gets solicitations for them all the time. Here is one we just received:
Dear James Czarnecki,
The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 is an invitation-only professional organization composed of the nation’s top trial attorneys. Being recognized as a top attorney in your field is more important than ever and The National Trial Lawyers has identified you as one of the Top 100 lawyers in Michigan.
Accept this exclusive invitation today and receive 25% off of one NTL recognition item using the discount code NEW25.
If you choose to join with auto-renew you will receive $25 off of your first year of membership. To sign up with auto-renew, simply select auto-renew on your membership form. This form can be returned via email, fax, or U.S. mail.
Please contact me if you have any questions. I am happy to help in any way I can.
National Trial Lawyers
I can choose to “renew” my award? If it is an award for a Top 100, why do I have to renew? Notice is said, “in your field” but never mentions criminal defense. If I received an award, shouldn’t it at least recognize the type of law we practice? We never use these fake awards to attract clients. I am not sure why the State Bar of Michigan allows this because the “awards” are dishonest. Look through Michigan attorney websites. You will see plenty of lawyers with “awards” like this on their websites.
Here’s how they work. Unfortunately, attorneys use fake awards to market their business, which misleads you into believing that the attorney earned the award based on hard work and results. It isn’t true. All an attorney needs to do to receive an “award” is pay for it. These awards are not based on wins, results, client reviews, hard work, skill or merit. All an attorney has to do is pay approximately $395. After payment is made, the attorney gets a plaque, listing in a magazine or website, and a badge to add to their website. Attorneys list the award on their website, Facebook, social media to mislead clients and increase their business.
Companies that offer the “awards” are many. Below is a list of just a few of the companies that offer paid “awards” that are not based on merit, results, peer voting, or qualifications:
- American Institute of Legal Counsel
- American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
- American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
- National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys
- Lawyers of Distinction
- National Academy for DUI Defense
- Top American Lawyers
- America’s Top 100 Attorneys
- Top 40 under 40
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100
The State Bar of Michigan does not recognize these awards. So, if an attorney pays for it, is it really an award? When posting these “awards” on websites or social media, attorneys should be required to put a disclaimer underneath the badge, showing that they paid for it and it is an advertisement. Otherwise, it is misleading. For example, A New Jersey ethics panel has issued a reminder to lawyers about proper standards for advertising the receipt of awards such as “Top-Rated Lawyers,” “Super Lawyers” or “Lawyers of the Year” from industry publications. Michigan should also force attorneys to disclose how they got the award.
Your Doctor’s and Lawyer’s Rankings and Awards Are Most Likely Fake
Regarding our health or legal needs, one of the biggest hurdles is finding a professional we can trust with our life. Finding an attorney, doctor, or dentist is stressful. For example, a random Google search for “top Michigan defense attorney” will return literally thousands of search results.
Here is where the problem begins with the “credentials.”: You’ve no doubt seen them on attorney websites or while you’re sitting in the lobby of a doctor or dentist’s office. The “awards” allegedly say that they are one of the “Super Lawyers” or “Top Docs.” They want you to believe that you’re seeing one of the top professionals.
Except: In nearly every instance these awards mean absolutely nothing.
While there are some professional rankings or “top” lists that are based on actual metrics and a good-faith effort to identify the truly exceptional in a field, the simple fact is that most of these awards are pretty much pay-to-play scams. In fact, it’s not uncommon for folks who aren’t even medical professionals or lawyers to easily pay to receive one of these “awards,” as a ProPublica writer did with the Top Doctors Award in 2019—paying $99 to be named one despite a distinct lack of a medical degree.
Lifehacker.com – Your Doctor’s and Lawyer’s Awards Are Probably Fake
The awards are a pay to play scam. Doctors and attorneys know what they are doing when they pay for these awards. A scam award looks impressive as a marketing tool aimed at people who need a professional. It’s easy to see how an official-looking “award” on their website or hanging in their office might work as a “trust me” sign, suggesting official approval of an attorney or medical professional.
Our office believes these awards are unethical. Attorneys use these “awards” to convince you to trust them. They pay a lot of money to look better than they are in real life. In criminal cases, based on their “award,” you are supposed to trust them with your life and liberty.
So, these awards say “trust me.” But, if attorneys bought them, aren’t they being dishonest? Isn’t that misleading you? Also, if the lawyer deceives you, isn’t that attorney unethical? The answer is clearly, yes.
Since our office is forthright and honest, we don’t purchase these awards to trick you into hiring our law firm. Let me ask you these questions: if these attorneys don’t care about posting misleading awards to boost their qualifications, how honest will they be about your case? Do they care more about you or your money?
We rely on our experience and track record of success.
The Federal Trade Commission issued a warning about fake lawyer awards
The FTC has stated that there are several fraudulent awards that are being offered to lawyers, and the public should be skeptical about them.Since the practice of law is a business, lawyers try to distinguish themselves from other attorneys to attract clients. Some lawyers try to buy as many “awesome lawyer” awards as they can. The attorney hopes that the fancy awards will impress a potential client looking for a lawyer on the internet. The attorney wants the client to falsely believe they are one of the best in the field.
The Federal Trade Commission issued a warning because it became concerned about the fake advertising.
If you suddenly need to hire a lawyer, you might start searching online. When you do, you’re likely to see lawyers and law firms with fancy-looking seals and badges on their websites claiming they’re among the best in their field. Before you move forward, know that some of these seals or badges might be “vanity” or “ego” awards that lawyers can buy.
It can be tricky to tell whether an award is earned through merit or is simply a marketing ploy, but a few questions can help. How long has this award been in existence? What requirements does someone have to meet to earn the award? How many awards are given out each year? Is a marketing company awarding it? Try searching online for the name of whoever’s giving the award plus words like “vanity,” “ego,” “marketing,” and “scam” to find out.
When choosing a lawyer, be sure to look beyond any seals or badges on lawyers’ websites.
FTC – Look beyond the award when you hire a lawyer
The FTC issued the warning so that you, the public, can be skeptical about the fake lawyer awards. Think about this question. If 50 attorneys have a Top 40 Under 40 award, does that make any sense? The Better Business Bureau also issued a statement regarding fake lawyer awards.
BBB believes many of these honors – often used by attorneys in advertising or on their websites – are no more than vanity awards, and may have little to do with a lawyer’s standing or professional ability. In several cases, the organizations making the awards require that the honoree purchase a plaque, trophy or membership package.”
BBB
While the FTC doesn’t call any company out in particular, they recommend that people looking for an attorney search online for the name of whoever is giving the award plus words like “vanity,” “ego,” “marketing,” and “scam.” So, when researching an attorney, look at the “awards.”
The fake awards do nothing to benefit you during your search for an experienced criminal defense attorney. The product they deliver is a phony “award.” The award is meaningless and falsely suggests that this lawyer is are better than other lawyers. Attorneys use the questionable awards as marketing strategies to mislead you and trick you into retaining their services.
Honest attorneys don’t bother with fake awards
Lawyers with integrity will not purchase the fake awards and then promote them on Facebook, their website, or social media as being earned. An unqualified attorney could cost you everything. So, beware of fake attorney awards. To make matters worse, some attorneys use fake Google reviews and then tell you to “check out our client reviews.” Some attorneys pay clients to post a review. Outstanding Michigan criminal defense attorneys don’t need fake awards and constantly post them on their website or social media to trick you into hiring them.
How to find an honest criminal defense attorney.
Similar to other professions, there are good lawyers and there are bad lawyers. When people are facing criminal charges, and are at their most vulnerable, they must rely on an attorney to help get them the best outcome in their case. So how you choose the right Michigan OWI attorney?
1. Do research
First, you’re going to have to do some research. When you have so much on the line, why wouldn’t you? Look at attorney websites. Read their blogs, like this one, to find out if they can provide detailed information about criminal law topics.
If you are facing criminal charges and need a lawyer, do your research on that lawyer, but don’t fall for fake attorney awards. Here. are 10 tips to help you find a great criminal lawyer. If you’re asking, how do I find the best Michigan criminal lawyer near me? – this article will help you.
2. Look for attorneys who specialize in criminal defense
When Michigan attorneys become licensed to practice law, they can practice any area of law. Does this mean they are experts in all areas of law? No. It’s impossible. For example, while all doctors have a medical background, some specialize in cardiology, psychology, brain surgery, and so forth. Many are general practitioners. There are also attorneys who are considered “general practitioners.” They take cases ranging from trusts and estates, divorce law, civil lawsuits, criminal law, among many others. Essentially, they are a “jack of all trades, master of none.”
So, when facing a criminal charge, you need an attorney who specializes in criminal defense. For example, our law firm specializes in criminal defense for over two decades. If someone contacts us regarding a divorce, we refer them to an attorney who specializes in family law. So, when facing a criminal charge, choose a Michigan attorney who specializes in criminal law. You wouldn’t trust a foot doctor to do heart surgery, would you? Of course not. You want someone who dedicates their time to become an expert in that area of medicine. Criminal law is no different. When researching attorneys’ websites, see if they specialize in criminal law.
3. Expensive doesn’t mean great.
Expensive doesn’t mean the attorney is outstanding. You also shouldn’t look for the most inexpensive attorney either. Do your research and get a few quotes. Again, you’re going to have to do some research. For example, we represented a juvenile client charged with fleeing and eluding a police officer. One attorney tried to quote our client $15,000 (before they hired us) for a juvenile case where no one was injured and the client had no criminal history. That was absurd and a clear sign the attorney was trying to rip off the hardworking parents. Make sure you get several quotes and that you’re comfortable with the fee, the payment arrangements, and the services that you will get from the attorney.
Great criminal defense attorneys are not cheap. So don’t hire an attorney unless you are comfortable with them. Be cautious because you are entrusting this person to represent you against criminal charges.
Low fees are also a sign that you will not get good representation. Think about it, you’re are hiring an attorney for their time, experience, attention, court appearances, research, and skill to get you a good result. No one will put in hard work for next to nothing. Also, watch out for attorneys that charge low rates because they are inexperienced, have a poor reputation, or inability to specialize in criminal law. Ask to view your potential attorney’s defense experience and credentials, such as where they practiced law and their graduation dates. A clear indicator of an attorney’s lack of credentials or experience is if they do not list this information on their website. Therefore, some attorneys result in using fake awards to help their profile.
Look at an attorney’s experience.
Make sure you consider the attorney’s experience, reputation, and ability to expose weaknesses in prosecution cases. An experienced lawyer will be knowledgeable about criminal law and have a solid understanding of how to best defend your rights. A good reputation is also a key factor because of the attorney’s commitment and professionalism.
When selecting an attorney to represent you in a criminal case, ask questions about their experience with cases like yours and inquire about their strategies for going to trial or negotiating the best outcome. A good lawyer will identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence or point out possible defenses that may be available in your situation. By being prepared and well-informed, you can make sure that you get the legal representation you need and deserve.
Ultimately, a great lawyer will be someone who will fight for your rights as if they were fighting for their own family. Remember, it is up to you to find an attorney who will protect your interests and ensure a favorable resolution of your case. With this in mind, take the time to do your research and choose an attorney who is right for you. How to find a great criminal lawyer near you.
How Czarnecki & Taylor attorneys distinguish themselves from other criminal defense attorneys.
At our Czarnecki & Taylor, we don’t use fake lawyer awards to promote ourselves. We rely on the results of our cases and client testimonials to demonstrate the quality of our services.
We understand that selecting a law firm can intimidate clients and so we strive to provide them with as much transparency as possible about what they can expect when working with us. We do not participate in any fake award programs.
Instead of unethical fake awards, we choose to focus on providing excellent legal representation to every one of our clients. We take pride in being able to help them find solutions to their legal challenges through knowledge, experience, and dedication.
Our attorneys have decades of experience, and we only specialize in criminal law. We are committed to providing quality legal services tailored to the individual needs of each client at an affordable price. Our attorneys understand the importance of developing meaningful relationships with our clients and strive to bring efficient and effective results.
Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony, our experienced criminal defense attorneys will work tirelessly to advocate and help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case. One quality that sets Czarnecki & Taylor apart from other firms is our ability to handle complex cases that require specialized knowledge and experience.
Our firm’s impressive track record for success and aggressive Michigan criminal defense is unparalleled for achieving exceptional results. Czarnecki & Taylor has a well-earned reputation among judges, courts, city attorneys, prosecutors, police, and other defense attorneys for defending our clients.
Our attorneys commit to providing clients the highest quality criminal defense services. Our dedication to excellence is clear in our results. We have a proven track record of success in representing clients facing all types of criminal charges, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. No matter how complex or challenging your situation may be, you can trust that we will do everything we can to get you the results you need. Our lawyers are aggressive advocates who fight tirelessly on behalf of our clients. Whether you need help negotiating a plea deal or defending yourself at trial, we will work hard to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
At our firm, we are confident that you will receive superior representation no matter what type of case you need help with. If you are looking for a reliable law firm that puts your interests first, contact us. We look forward to helping you find success in your legal issues.
Contact Czarnecki & Taylor
Are you facing a criminal charge? We can help. Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC’s experienced attorneys will handle your case with care and help you through every step of the process. For a free consultation, call us today at (586) 718-2345 or online for a prompt response. We are available 24/7 and have weekend and evening appointments.