Anytime you are in a position that involves your legal rights, you should make sure you have the right attorney for you. 
While asking friends and family for recommendations is a good way to start, you should be sure that the attorney you choose not only knows the area of the law involved, but that he or she is a good fit for your needs and personality. You can check with the Board of Professional Responsibility to determine whether the attorney has had any serious complaints, but you really need to speak with the attorney to determine the attorney's legal approach and whether you can easily communicate your needs and issues in your matter.
You should be sure the attorney you choose has a contract you understand and that he or she or someone in their office, will communicate with you in a timely manner. You should ask the attorney about his or her case experience, their billing procedure, their experience with the judges in your county, and their legal philosophy, if any. Many attorneys may be impatient with this process, but if you tell the attorney up front that you are trying to make sure the two of you are a good fit, the attorney will most likely not only understand but will help you be assured of their interest.
Remember, however, just as you are interviewing the attorney, the attorney will be assessing whether you will be a "good" client. A "good" client is one who not only pays their bills in a timely manner, but one who listens to and follows their attorney's legal advice, one who follows through with any requirement for necessary information, one who listens to and follows any order of the court, and one who makes sure the attorney is informed of any potential problem or any material change in the client's situation.