A lawyer’s success rate is typically defined by his or her win-loss record, but this is an incomplete measurement that doesn’t tell the whole story. Circumstances play a big role in determining whether a case outcome is successful for the parties involved. In many cases, a successful outcome does not always mean there was an acquittal.

Consider this example: A client with an extensive criminal record has a major new charge against her that could result in significant jail time. A success for this client could be a conviction that does not result in jail time or one that results in a much lighter than expected sentence.

Also, consider that a lawyer may receive a bad ruling -- impacting his or her win-loss record -- but successfully gets the loss overturned on appeal. Could that case be considered a success or a failure?

It simply isn’t possible to win every case, but successful outcomes in the eyes of the parties involved are often possible. It’s hard to say whether some of those successful outcomes are wins or losses, but they are successes nonetheless. The important thing to remember is that there is much more involved in a lawyer’s success rate than a win-loss record, so that statistic may not be as meaningful as some presume.

For your case, turn to a lawyer who can help you achieve your goals by listening to you, communicating well with you, choosing the right approach and using years of experience to get you what you consider a successful outcome.