how to find a good labor attorney

To find a good labor lawyer who can support your case, follow these steps:

1. Search a directory of lawyers and narrow your focus by your state. ...
2. Read each candidate's profile carefully to assess whether they're a good match for your situation. ...
3. Make a list of the top two or three candidates who seem like the best fit. ...
4. Request a consultation with your top candidates. ...
5. Clarify the lawyer's rate. ...
6. Confirm the case's timeline. ...

Full Answer

When Do You Need a Labor Lawyer?

Both employers and employees may need to consult with labor lawyers. If you're an employee, consider talking with a labor lawyer if:

How Do You Become a Labor Lawyer?

Labor lawyers need several years of post-secondary education and a state license to work in the legal field. To work as a labor attorney, follow these steps:

What Are Labor Lawyers?

These lawyers are experts on union rules and regulations and how they apply to employers and union members.

How Much Do Labor Lawyers Cost?

Before you hire a labor attorney, it's important to understand how much they charge and how they structure their rates so you can set appropriate expectations. Labor lawyers charge rates based on their experience level and their location. For example, a labor attorney who has 15 years of experience and who serves a city with a high cost of living may charge substantially more than a newer lawyer who serves a rural area with a lower cost of living.

How Are Labor Lawyers and Employment Lawyers Different?

Employment lawyers represent nonunionized employers and employees . They typically deal with state and federal laws related to nonunion scheduling, overtime, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and workers' compensation.

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Do You Always Have to Talk With a Labor Attorney Before Terminating an Employee?

No matter the situation, it's always in an employer's best interest to talk with a labor lawyer before firing a unionized employee. Even if you believe the employee has performed illegal actions or stolen from the company, you should always talk with a lawyer before moving forward with a termination.

How to get a lawyer?

Get referrals and recommendations from friends and family. Talk to friends and family members who used an attorney. Find out who they hired, for what type of service, if they were happy with the services, and why or why not. Ask if they would recommend the attorney.

How to find an attorney in your area?

Contact your local bar association for qualified attorneys in your area. State bar associations keep public records about complaints and disciplinary actions taken against attorneys licensed to practice in the state. Most local bar associations also have free referral services that can help you find an attorney to suit your case's needs.

What to do if an attorney isn't listening?

Remember that you are interviewing the attorney for a job. Treat your meeting as such, a job interview. If you feel as though the attorney isn't listening to you or isn't answering your questions, pick a different attorney.

What is personal injury law?

Personal injury law. Personal injury attorneys handle cases involving medical malpractice, dog bites, car accidents and any injury to a person that may be the fault of another.

How does wikihow mark an article as reader approved?

wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status.

What type of lawyer deals with estates?

Trusts and estates. This type of lawyer deals with issues such as estate planning, qualifying for Medicaid, probating an estate, and obtaining guardianship of an elderly parent or grandparent.

How to ask a lawyer about his practice?

Write out questions about the lawyer's practice. You can generally find out the basic information about the attorney online, such as how long s/he has been practicing, where s/he went to law school, etc. For your in-person questions, ask about matters that are relevant to your specific case. The attorney should not have any problem answering any questions you may have, and should not sound hesitant or unsure. Areas to ask about include questions about the following:

How much does an employment lawyer make an hour?

These vary widely due to a number of variables, but on average, you should expect to pay between $250 and $500 per hour for an employment lawyer.

Why do you need an employment attorney?

If you’re making decisions that affect a large number of people, such as a mass layoff or a change to your retirement plan, an employment attorney can help you avoid legal problems resulting from the decision.

Why do you need a lawyer for employee handbooks?

Employee handbooks, policies, and procedures It's a good idea to have a lawyer review your office policies, procedures, and employee handbooks to make sure you don't violate any employment laws. A lawyer can ensure you meet requirements for wages, overtime, and family medical leave, among others.

What to do if you have a complaint against an employee?

If one of your employees has filed a harassment or discrimination complaint against you with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or other state agency, or if you are the subject of a lawsuit by a disgruntled employee, contact a lawyer immediately.

How long does it take to resolve an employment case?

Employment cases are often complex and can take many months or even years to resolve, so make sure to choose attorneys you trust and feel comfortable working with over a long period of time.

Can an employer be sued for illegally acting?

The rights of workers are protected by many different federal and state laws and regulations. An employer who is acting illegally can be sued under a variety of laws:

Do employment lawyers charge an hourly rate?

Most law firms offer a free initial consultation, but some employment lawyers will charge you their regular hourly rate for your first meeting.

What Are Some Instructions on How to Find a Lawyer?

When searching for employment lawyers, most people begin their search by calling phone numbers they found in a phone book or through an advertisement.

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Can you check an attorney's background on a website?

They might provide a long list of lawyers, but you’d still need to contact each one individually. Many websites of this kind also don’t have any means of checking an attorney’s background.

What should I look for when choosing 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.

Is there a free legal aid program?

Several legal assistance programs offer inexpensive or free legal services to those in need. Look in the yellow pages under topics such as “legal clinics,” “legal aid,” or “legal advice,” or search online. Most legal aid programs have special guidelines for eligibility, often based on where you live, the size of your family, and your income. 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.

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.