how to find a competent attorney

How to Find a Good Attorney.

• 1. Determine what type of attorney you need. It is always preferable to locate an attorney who has specialized expertise in the practice area that ...
• 2. Contact your local bar association for qualified attorneys in your area. State bar associations keep public records about complaints and ...
• 3. Review online listings of attorneys. Many websites offer free reviews of businesses. Some places to look for lawyer reviews include: LegalZoom, ...
• 4. Get referrals and recommendations from friends and family. Talk to friends and family members who used an attorney. Find out who they hired, for ...

Full Answer

How do I find out what kind of attorney I Need?

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 …

How to choose an attorney for a case?

Dec 20, 2017 · If you have any friends or family members who have hired an attorney for a similar issue, get referrals from them. While online reviews can provide you with at least an idea of the …

How do I find a lawyer who has been disciplinary?

How do I assess a lawyer’s legal ability?

How do you find a good attorney?

How do I know if I hired a good lawyer?

What should you not say to a lawyer?

What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

What is the first qualification for a lawyer?

The lawyer will be helping you solve your problems, so the first qualification is that you must feel comfortable enough to tell him or her, honestly and completely, all the facts necessary to resolve your problem. No one you listen to and nothing you read will be able to guarantee that a particular lawyer will be the best for you; you must judge that for yourself.

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.

Do lawyers use ads?

In some ways, yes, ads are useful. However, always be careful about believing everything you read and hear — and nowhere is this truer than with advertisements. 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. Some ads also will help you determine a lawyer’s area of expertise. Other ads will quote a fee or price range for handling a specific type of “simple” case. Keep in mind that your case may not have a simple solution. If a lawyer quotes a fee, be certain you know exactly what services and expenses the charge does and does not include.

4 Tips for Finding the Right (and Competent) Attorney

Any time you encounter a legal matter that is complex or involves large amounts of money, you should reach out to an attorney to help you address the issue. Attorneys are not just excellent resources for legal advice, but they also apply their skills gained over their training and careers to help you overcome the legal challenges you face.

Which Damages Can I Recover for Legal Malpractice

If you bring a legal malpractice lawsuit against your former attorney you may be entitled to recover damages, assuming you can prove he or she was negligent and you suffered damage.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Legal Malpractice in California?

If you believe your attorney committed legal malpractice you might be able to seek compensation for your financial harm through a lawsuit. However, prior to filing a claim, you should consult with an experienced legal malpractice attorney to identify the applicable statute of limitations and determine whether or not it has expired.

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.

How to connect with local lawyers?

Many sites, including Nolo.com, offer a way to connect with local lawyers based on your location and the type of legal case you have. You answer a few questions about your case and your contact information, then the right type of lawyers contact you directly. Talk to a local lawyer.

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.

How to get a lead on a sexual harassment case?

A better approach is to talk to people in your community who have experienced the same problem you face -- for example, if you have a claim of sexual harassment, talk to a women's group. Ask them who their lawyers were and what they think of them. If you talk to half a dozen people who have had a similar legal problem, chances are you'll come away with several good leads.

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.

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.

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.

How to tell a lawyer about his office?

You can tell a lot about an attorney from their law office. Request a brief tour of their office, beyond the office or conference room where you met with the lawyer. Is the law office neat, orderly, efficient and well-run? What kind of support staff does the lawyer employ? Does the staff appear friendly and helpful? Is the lawyer’s office local and easily accessible? Is a large portion of his office space unoccupied? Watch for red flags, such as mass disarray, unhappy staff members, and empty offices.

What do lawyers know about other lawyers?

Lawyers know the skill and reputation of other lawyers. Attorneys may be able to provide information about a fellow lawyer that you may not find in a book or online, such as information about a lawyer’s ethics, competence level, demeanor, practice habits, and reputation.

What to do if you can't afford an attorney?

If you are unable to find an attorney whom you can afford, then you may ask the judge put you on a list that may allow you to obtain an attorney who will represent you for free. Your records will be helpful to the Court should you ever make such a request.

How to increase your chances of success in a legal case?

Experienced legal counsel familiar with the law and rules of procedures can greatly increase your chances of successfully resolving your case. Ask your family, friends, and associates for the names of attorneys with whom they are pleased. A word of mouth recommendation is invaluable.

What is a pro bono attorney?

An attorney who represents pro se litigants for free is called a pro bono attorney. To apply for a pro bono attorney, you must: file an application with a supporting request to proceed in forma pauperis in a case already pending in the Court.

Can a judge deny habeas counsel?

It is within the judge’s discretion, based on factors set forth in the statute and case law, either to grant or deny the appointment of habeas counsel. If the judge grants the application, an attorney will be appointed from the Court’s Criminal Justice Act’s (CJA) Panel.

Can you find an attorney through telephone books?

Telephone books also have listings for attorneys, but are generally not the best way to find an attorney because they typically only provide the name and contact information for attorneys. Remember to keep detailed records of your efforts to find an attorney.

Can a judge deny a pro bono case?

It is within the judge’s discretion, based on factors set forth in the case law, to either grant or deny your application for the Judge to request the appointment of pro bono counsel. If the judge grants the application, there is no guarantee that an attorney will volunteer to take the case. If no attorney volunteers to take the case, you must proceed without one.