3
What To Search for When You Need To Hire A Lawyer Finding the right attorney can seem like a challenge, but you just need to know the right information in order to find what you need. Keep reading to learn more about the selection process and where you can look and what you can do to ensure that you have the best attorney. You will be glad that you did. A good tip if you're looking to bring on a lawyer is to make sure you thoroughly investigate whether or not a certain lawyer will be a good fit. It's generally a good idea to go over a few different lawyers at a time and compare them to each other. You have a right to expect clear, consistent communication with your lawyer. He or she should be able to give you a general summery of what you can expect in terms of your case, as well as what potential issues might arise and what could be done to remedy these issues. Make sure the lawyer you are hiring is suited for your needs. Like medical professionals, lawyers can be general practitioners or dedicated specialists. Know what general legal area your case is in, and narrow your search for a lawyer within that specialization to find someone with focused training and experience. Do not pick a lawyer because you saw their ad on television or on a billboard. Many big firms that can afford this type of advertising use lawyers that are fresh out of school for most of their cases, but charge you for the experience held by its highest lawyers. It is important to discuss fees with your lawyer up front, before signing any contracts with them. Find out the fee structure that they use to make sure that you can afford their services. If it is out of your price range, then you can look around for a more affordable lawyer. If you have been charged with a crime, are in an accident or think you need legal help, you need to hire a lawyer. The amount of time that you wait to make this decision can be a critical factor. You want to have someone on your side that knows the law as quickly as possible. Establish a budget before hiring a lawyer. Can you afford to go forward with your case? Research the types of fees you will absorb if you choose a certain attorney. Schedule a meeting with them to discuss what you can afford and your expectations. Take note of what cost overruns may occur and insist the lawyer needs your permission to go over a certain amount. When you believe that you might have a lawsuit, it is tempting to call one of those lawyers in the

What To Search for When You Need To Hire A Lawyer

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: What To Search for When You Need To Hire A Lawyer

What To Search for When You Need To Hire A Lawyer

Finding the right attorney can seem like a challenge, but you just need to know the right informationin order to find what you need. Keep reading to learn more about the selection process and whereyou can look and what you can do to ensure that you have the best attorney. You will be glad thatyou did.

A good tip if you're looking to bring on a lawyer is to make sure you thoroughly investigate whetheror not a certain lawyer will be a good fit. It's generally a good idea to go over a few different lawyersat a time and compare them to each other.

You have a right to expect clear, consistentcommunication with your lawyer. He or sheshould be able to give you a generalsummery of what you can expect in terms ofyour case, as well as what potential issuesmight arise and what could be done toremedy these issues.

Make sure the lawyer you are hiring issuited for your needs. Like medicalprofessionals, lawyers can be generalpractitioners or dedicated specialists. Knowwhat general legal area your case is in, and

narrow your search for a lawyer within that specialization to find someone with focused training andexperience.

Do not pick a lawyer because you saw their ad on television or on a billboard. Many big firms thatcan afford this type of advertising use lawyers that are fresh out of school for most of their cases,but charge you for the experience held by its highest lawyers.

It is important to discuss fees with your lawyer up front, before signing any contracts with them.Find out the fee structure that they use to make sure that you can afford their services. If it is out ofyour price range, then you can look around for a more affordable lawyer.

If you have been charged with a crime, are in an accident or think you need legal help, you need tohire a lawyer. The amount of time that you wait to make this decision can be a critical factor. Youwant to have someone on your side that knows the law as quickly as possible.

Establish a budget before hiring a lawyer. Can you afford to go forward with your case? Researchthe types of fees you will absorb if you choose a certain attorney. Schedule a meeting with them todiscuss what you can afford and your expectations. Take note of what cost overruns may occur andinsist the lawyer needs your permission to go over a certain amount.

When you believe that you might have a lawsuit, it is tempting to call one of those lawyers in the

Page 2: What To Search for When You Need To Hire A Lawyer

commercials on television. Although these lawyers are qualified, they might not be allowed topractice law in your state, depending on where they took the BAR exam. It is always good to lookinto this and read the fine print.

You will never find a lawyer who is selling you positive results. If you do, they're lying. You need tolook for a lawyer who doesn't stay in the office day and night as this is truly a guarantee that theyknow what they're doing and will do a great job.

If you find a divorce lawyer and they seem very excited about making your ex "pay" for everythingthey have done to you, look for someone else. While you may have revenge in your heart, yourlawyer is supposed to think straight at all times. Being biased is not a good work ethic, even if it is inyour favor.

A good tip to keep in mind if you're going to be working with a lawyer soon is to do everything youcan to educate yourself about your case and the legal process. By having more knowledge aboutyour case, you'll be able to ask your lawyer all the right questions.

If you are looking to find a lawyer with a very specific sort of experience, it pays to do some fairlyextensive research. For instance, if you need an attorney who specializes in appellate matters, spendsome time looking at reported cases in which they represented one of the parties. By learning whatsorts of cases a given lawyer tends to take and the type of results they get, you will be better able todecide if their talents suit your needs.

Even if you think you know the legal issues of your case well, go over the issues again with youlawyer. Have questions prepared beforehand and ask anything that comes to mind. You want to bewell informed and know that he understands your case well. Being informed will ease your mind.

Go over the details of your case carefully with your potential lawyer. You want tohttp://www.dailymotion.com/video/x24k2rk_rand-spear-the-accident-lawyer_news inform him ofeverything, then you can make a proper judgement of his skills and how he will help you. This willgive you the best opportunity to make a judgement and decide whether he is right for you.

Just because an attorney's name appears first on a list of search engine results does not mean thathe or she is the best person to work with. It is important to do all the necessary research, whetherthe lawyer is tops at Google or falls toward the bottom of the pack.

You wouldn't marry someone after the first date, would you? No, you wouldn't. And you shouldn'thire the first attorney you meet with, either. You need to go out with your lawyers and find out whatyou can about them. This includes how confident they are, what cases they've dealt with and whatthey believe. Otherwise, you are virtually getting married after a blind date.

The first step in choosing a lawyer is making detailed notes about your case. Include a chronology ofevents, any evidence you have in hand like receipts or photographs, names and contact informationfor witnesses (both those who will support you and those who will not). This will help your lawyersgauge your case.

Page 3: What To Search for When You Need To Hire A Lawyer

If you've sustained a personal injury, finda lawyer who will take your case oncontingency. This basically means thatyour lawyer won't get paid unless youdo. This provides the lawyer with a bigincentive to hold out for a largesettlement. Upon your victory, yourlawyer will collect his price right off thetop.

It's important that you follow the advicethat you've learned as you start choosingwhich attorney you're going tohttp://www.metacafe.com/watch/642744/

large_truck_crash_pictures/ hire. You will fare much better if you approach things this way, and youwill notice the difference. Keep what you've read in mind, and get started finding yourself anattorney today.