how to find a civil suit attorney

by Rusty Hackett 8 min read

Try these searches:

  • Pro Bono Resource Directory maintained by the American Bar Association. ...
  • Contact your local or state bar association (a professional organization dedicated to advancing the careers and education of their members). ...
  • Contact the organization or state agency that oversees lawyer licensing in your state. ...
  • Visit the local law school. ...
  • Call the local courthouse. ...

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Full Answer

How much does a civil attorney cost?

Smaller firms or less experienced attorneys will charge $100-$300 per hour, while larger, more powerful firms with in-demand attorneys may charge as much as $500 per hour. Certain types of civil cases, such as personal injury, are likely to be charged on a contingency basis.

What cases does a civil attorney handle?

What cases do civil lawyers handle? Some civil lawyers handle civil rights cases. These are cases in which an individual — or group, for class action lawsuits — believes that her basic human rights have not been respected. Examples include seeking damages for unlawful police searches, or discrimination in housing, employment or education.

What do lawyers handle civil cases?

What Cases Does a Civil Attorney Handle?

  • Civil rights. In civil rights cases, an individual believes that their basic human rights have not been respected.
  • Business law. In the business law area, civil attorneys can not only defend you against a lawsuit brought by another company, but they can help you during the process of ...
  • Personal injury law. ...
  • The role of a civil attorney. ...

Where can you find a lawyer?

  • Bankruptcy law. This will be helpful if you are struggling with your finances.
  • Criminal law. An attorney who specializes in criminal law is important if your case involves a crime or potentially illegal activity.
  • Disability specialist. ...
  • Trusts and estates. ...
  • Family Law. ...
  • Personal injury law. ...
  • Employment law. ...
  • Small business or corporate law. ...

What are civil cases?

What is civil litigation?

What are the two types of remedies in a civil case?

What is a civil procedural issue?

Why are civil lawsuits so complex?

What are some examples of civil law?

What is the burden of proof in civil cases?

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About this website

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Where can I file a civil rights lawsuit?

Generally, you can bring a lawsuit in the county where the discrimination occurred or where the defendant lives or does business . It is often easier to hire an attorney who is based near the county where the incident happened, so keep this in mind as you search for a civil rights attorney.

What documents can an attorney see?

These documents can include emails, letters, memos, and police reports. An attorney will want to see them when you meet for a consultation. If you have a lot of documents, then it might be helpful to create a binder in which you can store witness statements, communications, and official reports.

What should an attorney tell visitors about recent employment cases?

Each lawyer should also list representative cases that he or she has worked on. For example, an employment discrimination attorney should tell visitors about recent employment cases. Often, the attorney will give a capsule summary of the case and tell you how much money the client won in a settlement or at trial.

What to do if your lawyer's fees are too high?

If the lawyer’s fees are too high, then he or she can refer you to another civil rights attorney who charges a reasonable fee.

How to find a bar association?

To find a bar association, you can search the Internet. Type your state or county and “bar association referral.”.

Can civil rights be violated?

Your civil rights can be violated in a variety of ways. You should identify your type of civil rights lawsuit before you search for an attorney. Some attorneys specialize in only some areas of civil rights law but not others. Employment discrimination. This is a common form of civil rights lawsuit.

Do civil rights lawyers get paid?

Often, civil rights attorneys will represent clients on contingency. With contingency fee agreements, the lawyer will only get paid if you win or settle your case. In those situations, the lawyer will take around a third of your settlement or jury award.

What to do if you are a lawsuit?

Delaying your response to the lawsuit can have dire consequences for your defense. If you must file a lawsuit, or someone has filed a lawsuit against you, consult with a skilled and knowledgeable civil attorney. An experienced and local lawsuit lawyer will be able to represent you in court as needed. A good way to find an attorney is by searching ...

How to choose a lawyer for a lawsuit?

When selecting a lawsuit lawyer, you should first and foremost consider their experience with other cases similar to your own. Also take into consideration their expertise, reputation, and integrity. Maybe most importantly, consider how compassionately they treat their potential clients as well as the opposing side.

Why are civil lawyers hired?

These lawyers are hired by a client in order to pursue or defend a civil lawsuit in a court of law. Generally speaking, civil attorneys address and solve legal issues encountered by the citizens of society. Such issues typically arise everyday between people in a social or business setting. Because of this, civil attorneys are sometimes said ...

What are some examples of lawsuits?

Some examples include: Personal injury law; Employment law; Family law; Business and finance law; Immigration law; Real estate law;

How is civil law different from criminal law?

Civil law is different from criminal law due to the fact that criminal law involves conduct that breaks criminal laws or statutes somehow. Civil law can also result in heavy fines or other consequences, similar to criminal law. However, the sentences are often far lighter in comparison.

What to do if you believe you have been wronged financially?

If you believe you have been wronged financially or otherwise, it would be ideal to hire a civil attorney in order to help you assess the merits of your case . Additionally, if another person or business ever sues you, it is best to immediately consult with an attorney to determine the best course of action.

What do you do in a deposition?

Prepare for and conduct depositions to be used as testimonial evidence; Handle all correspondence with the other party’s lawyers as well as the court; File motions, briefs, and other documents with the court; Make a discovery plan and serve discovery requests to the other party;

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.

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.

What are civil cases?

As mentioned, civil law cases can involve a wide range of legal issues and disputes. These typically involve injury claims, though they can also involve other types of conflicts as well. Some common examples of civil law issues include: 1 Civil assault claims, along with civil assault defenses; 2 Civil battery lawsuits and their corresponding civil battery defenses; 3 Cases involving property damage; 4 Various types of cases involving parental responsibility, such as child neglect cases;

What is civil litigation?

Various other types of disputes. While civil courts may handle a wide range of claims, a large portion of civil law claims deal with personal injury and torts.

What are the two types of remedies in a civil case?

Remedies in a civil case usually fall into one of two main categories: monetary damages and equitable remedies. Monetary damage s may be issued by the court to help the plaintiff recover any monetary losses caused by their injury, including lost wages, medical costs, and other expenses.

What is a civil procedural issue?

Some civil procedural issues can be extremely complex, such as those involving dormant civil judgments (cases where the time period for collecting on a judgment has expired), and transferred intent (cases where the defendant intended to harm one person, but ended up harming another person accidentally).

Why are civil lawsuits so complex?

Civil law claims and lawsuits can be complex. In any given civil lawsuit, there may be a number of procedural nuances that must be followed in order to avoid being held in contempt of court, or to avoid compromising the success of the lawsuit. On top of the procedural requirements, the substance of the law itself can also be complex.

What are some examples of civil law?

Some common examples of civil law issues include: Civil assault claims, along with civil assault defenses; Civil battery lawsuits and their corresponding civil battery defenses; Cases involving property damage;

What is the burden of proof in civil cases?

Satisfying the burden of proof in a civil claim, which is “preponderance of the evidence” (as opposed to the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard of proof, which is a higher standard used in criminal law); Raising objections during trial; Formulating defenses to civil liability;

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