Choosing the Right Lawyer. Once you've made the decision to hire a lawyer, the next step is to pick a specific lawyer to handle your legal matter. While each state has many lawyers to choose from, choosing the right lawyer can make the difference between a pleasant experience and a frustrating experience. FindLaw's Choosing the Right Lawyer section provides tips on …
Sep 09, 2019 · There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.
Mar 18, 2020 · The first step in the process of choosing the right lawyer, then, is the research phase. Ideally, you want to start with the names of several lawyers, and, as with the purchase of most other services, personal referrals are often the best place to start.
How to Find the Right Lawyer for Your Needs Start by getting a recommendation. Obtaining personal referrals is usually the best place to begin when searching for a... View attorney advertisements with a healthy dose of skepticism. While advertisements can help you survey the legal... Interview your ...
These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters. Other programs cover only advice and consultation with a lawyer.
Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes.
If you are accused of a crime, the U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes. If you cannot afford a lawyer, either the judge hearing the case will appoint a private lawyer to represent you free of charge or the government’s public defender will handle your case, also at no charge.
Newspaper, telephone directory, radio, television, and Internet ads, along with direct mail, can make you familiar with the names of lawyers who may be appropriate for your legal needs, according to the ABA. These ads can help determine the lawyer's practice area, which in turn can help you narrow down which type of lawyer you need for your case.
Some lawyers offer pro bono services, but this is based on their discretion. Some legal aid offices have their own lawyers while others work with volunteer lawyers. It's important to note that in civil cases, people do not have the right to a free attorney.
It is one thing to hire a lawyer to draft a real estate contract or a will and another to be represented in an acrimonious divorce or when charged with a felony. Each legal situation is different and not every lawyer is the right one for you and your legal problem.
But in many fields of the law, lawyers tend to specialize. You might find a lawyer to handle: Real estate: buying, selling, and leasing real property. Employment: issues regarding laws about the employer-employee relationship. Taxes: planning for taxes and dealing with tax agencies. Litigation: when a dispute turns into a lawsuit.
General business lawyers handle business formation, contract writing, and more. But in many fields of the law, lawyers tend to specialize. You might find a lawyer to handle: 1 Real estate: buying, selling, and leasing real property 2 Employment: issues regarding laws about the employer-employee relationship 3 Taxes: planning for taxes and dealing with tax agencies 4 Litigation: when a dispute turns into a lawsuit
A person who is preparing to take legal action should know a few things before they start the process. The following is a list of important questions to ask a lawyer, so that the answers will not be a surprise once the case begins. These include: 1 How does the lawyer charge for their legal services? (e.g., flat fees, contingency fees, hourly rates, etc.). 2 Are there additional costs on top of their attorneys’ fees? If so, what are they? 3 What is their strategy for the case? What are the pros and cons of that case strategy? 4 How long does this type of case normally last? 5 Are there other alternatives available aside from going to court? 6 What type of experience do they have in handling similar matters? 7 How often will the lawyer provide updates about the case? 8 Is there any information or documents that the client can give them to help support the case? 9 What persons will be working on the case and how much will they cost? (e.g., experts, paralegals, other lawyers, etc.). 10 What are the potential outcomes of the lawsuit or negotiation?
The free consultation is beneficial for both the lawyer and their potential client. It gives the prospective client an opportunity to determine whether they want to hire that particular lawyer or not, and it gives the lawyer some more insight to the case, so they can let the client know if they are not the right fit.
Here are a few other sources you can turn to for possible candidates in your search for a lawyer: 1 The director of your state or local chamber of commerce may be a good source of business lawyers. 2 The director of a nonprofit group interested in the subject matter that underlies your lawsuit is sure to know lawyers who work in that area. For example, if your dispute involves trying to stop a major new subdivision, it would make sense to consult an environmental group committed to fighting urban sprawl. 3 A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. 4 A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.
Nolo offers a unique lawyer directory that provides a comprehensive profile for each attorney with information that will help you select the right attorney. The profiles tell you about the lawyer's experience, education, and fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer's general philosophy of practicing law.
Lawyers, of course, are prime sources of this information, but if you bought all the needed information at their rates -- $150 to $450 an hour -- you'd quickly empty your bank account.
Lawyer referral services are another source of information. There is a wide variation in the quality of lawyer referral services, however, even though they are required to be approved by the state bar association. Some lawyer referral services carefully screen attorneys and list only those attorneys with particular qualifications and a certain amount of past experience, while other services will list any attorney in good standing with the state bar who maintains liability insurance. Before you choose a lawyer referral service, ask what its qualifications are for including an attorney and how carefully lawyers are screened.
A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.
Fortunately, many lawyers will work with you to help you acquire a good working knowledge of the legal principles and procedures you need to deal with your problem at least partly on your own. If you are hoping to represent yourself and use a lawyer only for advice, make sure the lawyer is open to that type of set-up.
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Your privacy is always protected - you decide when to disclose your personal information to interested attorneys. All member lawyers are pre-screened and in good standing with their state's bar associations. Review attorney's profiles and responses to your case before making a decision.