how to find a civil defense attorney

by Pearlie Doyle IV 8 min read

  • Pro Bono Resource Directory maintained by the American Bar Association. Results might include some legal aid offices as well as individual law firms.
  • Contact your local or state bar association (a professional organization dedicated to advancing the careers and education of their members). Search for [Your state or city] bar association. ...
  • Contact the organization or state agency that oversees lawyer licensing in your state. Search for [Your state] lawyer licensing. ...
  • Visit the local law school. Many have legal clinics where students, supervised by attorneys, take cases for free.
  • Call the local courthouse. Many court administrators, realizing that cases move more quickly and smoothly when everyone has a lawyer, have taken pains to link-up willing lawyers with clients who ...
  • Contact your church or other house of worship. Some religious organizations or local chapters or houses offer legal assistance to their congregants.

Full Answer

How do I find a civil rights lawyer?

Find help with Super Lawyers. Civil litigation attorneys advise a variety of defense or plaintiff clients in a broad range of non-criminal litigation matters. Common types of civil litigation include: environmental law, landlord and tenant disputes, or workers’ compensation.

How to find a lawyer in your area?

You should search online for specific kinds of lawyer in your area, which will give you more information about style and pricing. Finally, cost may be a serious consideration for you. If you cannot afford an attorney in a civil case where a public defender is not an option, there are a few other options available you.

What is a civil lawyer?

1. 1. Deanna D. says, "The service was outstanding and the lawyer was very professional and knowledgeable." See more. Deanna D. says, " The service was outstanding and the lawyer was very professional and knowledgeable. ". 2. 2. Erich B. says, "He was very respectful and responsive, he took care of everything for m...

How do I find a good personal injury lawyer?

Find a local Civil Litigation attorney in your state. Our client reviews, law firm profiles, and live chat make it easy to find the best Civil Litigation lawyer for you.

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What happens to a civil case before it goes to trial?

Before heading to the trial, both the plaintiff and defendant are required to provide the briefs of their discoveries. They can then make opening statements, present witnesses and evidence to prove their argument, and finish with strong closing statements. The judge or jury in-charge then takes note of all the pieces of evidence and witness testimonies to deliver the judgment.

What is a complaint in court?

The process begins after the plaintiff files a pleading in the court. Pleadings are the documents required to be submitted by both the plaintiff and defendant to explain and elaborate on their side of the story. A plaintiff’s pleading is called a complaint in which they highlight the details and wrongdoings of the defendant and the course of action that they want the court to take against the defending party.

What is post discovery?

Post the discovery process, a civil litigation enters the pre-trial phase where negotiations between attorneys begin. Most cases are settled in this phase when both parties reach an agreeable settlement. Out of court settlements are a more preferred form as hearings and trails can cost both parties dearly. In this phase, both the defendant and the plaintiff can use motions to ask the court to deliver judgment or get parts of cases dismissed before it heads to the trial.

What is the pre trial phase of civil litigation?

In the pre-trial phase of the civil litigation process, civil lawsuit defense attorneys ensure their client is not bullied into the corner and is not forced to pay exorbitant amounts in the settlement.

What is a dispute between two parties?

These disputes arise when two or more parties sign a contract and one or more of them fail to or deny fulfilling their obligations. The situation arises when the contract is drafted using unclear terms that raise contrasting expectations or when a party fails to meet the obligations due to a lack of resources or funds.

What is immigration lawyer?

Immigration lawyers help their clients through all phases of the immigration process. Experts on immigration law, they are legally qualified to represent U.S. citizens, permanent residents or undocumented immigrants. Immigration lawyers also provide assistance to visitors here on student, work or travel visas, and can represent clients who may have ...

Who can put together a will?

Although most family attorneys can put together a basic will, you may want one who specializes in wills and estate planning, especially if you have a lot of assets or a dependent to take care of. You may need an attorney who has expertise in planning and executing trusts and a background in taxes.

Do personal injury lawyers have to pass the bar exam?

Most states then require the person to pass the bar exam to become licensed to practice law. Unlike many attorneys who require a retainer, personal injury lawyers often work on contingency fees. This means that in lieu of payment upfront, they receive an agreed-upon percentage of the settlement in case of a win.

Do you need a real estate attorney for closing?

Many states require a real estate attorney to handle sale closing documents. For more complex matters such as a real estate deal gone awry or foreclosure, you’ll want to find an attorney who has successfully handled cases like yours. Look for online reviews of real estate lawyers in your area.

Do personal injury attorneys get paid?

Personal injury attorneys typically receive a percentage of your settlement (called a contingency fee), so they are paid after the trial or case is complete.

How long can you be in jail for a crime?

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.

Do legal aid offices have their own lawyers?

Some legal aid offices have their own staff lawyers, and others operate with volunteer lawyers. Note that people do not have a right to a free lawyer in civil legal matters. I have been accused of a crime, and I cannot afford a lawyer.

How to find a lawyer for a lawsuit?

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.

Who is the best source of business lawyers?

The director of your state or local chamber of commerce may be a good source of business lawyers. 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.

What is Nolo lawyer directory?

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.

What is a lawyer referral service?

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.

How much does a lawyer charge an hour?

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.

Can lawyers be terrible communicators?

Unfortunately, the complaint logs of all lawyer regulator y groups indicate that many lawyers are terrible communicators. If every time you have a problem there's a delay of several days before you can talk to your lawyer on the phone or get an appointment, you'll lose precious time, not to mention sleep.

Do lawyers work with you?

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.

Why do lawyers take cases pro bono?

These cases are taken "pro bono.". When a civil law firm takes a case pro bono, it does so generally for marketing reasons, wanting to burnish its reputation.

What is legal aid?

"Legal aid" refers to a group of lawyers who work exclusively for the clients who qualify for their services—poor clients. These attorneys are expert in matters of landlord-tenant law, consumer law, welfare matters, and other areas of law that many poor people encounter. In keeping with the origins of the concept of legal aid (see "Where Did Legal Aid Come From?"), they are on the lookout for cases that can result in legal reform, not just a victory for a solitary litigant.

Can an attorney text you?

Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Do legal aid offices require income?

All legal aid offices require that their clients not exceed maximum income requirements (look for these requirements on the website). Before visiting your local office, gather tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and anything else that will give a current, accurate, and complete picture of your financial situation.

Do legal aid lawyers take bankruptcies?

Most offices handle only civil, not criminal cases; and most do not take bankruptcies, divorce cases, or personal injury cases. They typically represent both plaintiffs (people who sue someone else) and defendants (the people being sued). Legal aid lawyers are paid by grants and might receive some government funding.

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Types of Civil Litigations

Contract Disputes

Property Disputes

Torts

Class Action Lawsuits

Complaints Against The City

Steps Involved in Civil Litigation Procedure

Pleadings

Discovery

  • In this step of the process, both parties invest time and resources to collect evidence to prove their story. Typically, attorneys from both sides come into the picture and handle the proceedings from here. Again, witnesses are brought in, documents are scrutinized, and other steps are taken to examine the situation in question and obtain as many p...
See more on thelegalhelpers.com

Pre-Trial