how to find a reputable attorney

by Prof. Ben Russel 3 min read

You can run an attorney search at databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which provide information such as practice areas, location, disciplinary records, and lawyer reviews. You might also consult your local or state bar association's attorney directory, which is a list of lawyers in your area.

How do I find out if a lawyer is legit?

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.

How can I find out how good a lawyer is?

How To Find A Reputable Attorney? 1. How to Find an Excellent Lawyer | Nolo. The director of your state or local chamber of commerce may be a good source of business lawyers. · The ... 2. Find a lawyer. The best attorneys near you by specialty – …

How can I get assistance with finding a lawyer?

The internet is the best starting place for finding a high quality lawyer in your area who won’t break the bank. Comparing references, areas of legal specialization and rates will give you a wide selection of choices to consider and can save a lot of time.

How to find the Best Lawyers?

May 08, 2020 · Reviews offer great help when you want to hire a reputable bankruptcy attorney. One of the reputable bankruptcy firms has outstanding reviews about its attorneys and different bankruptcy services. Tell about the case. Every bankruptcy case is different, and thus attorneys need to study it adequately.

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Dec 14, 2016 · Next step should be to visit websites like the American Bar Association (findlegalhelp.org), Legal Services Corporation (LSC.gov), and the federal court system (uscourts.gov). Avvo (avvo.com) and Martindale-Hubbell (martindale.com) are reliable ratings services for finding affordable bankruptcy attorneys.

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How many years of experience do I need to become an attorney?

Typically, you should look for an attorney with at least three to five years of experience practicing the type of law you need help with. Additionally, you should choose an attorney that currently practices in the area you need help with.

What is a family law attorney?

Family law attorneys handle matters such as separation, divorce, pre-nuptial agreements, adoption, guardianship, child custody and support. 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.

What is hourly rate in law?

Lawyers charging an hourly rate “bill” hours and then charge the client for the amount of hours worked on the client’s matter. Usually, hourly rates are used by businesses and corporations who may be involved in litigation. Additionally, individuals may be charged hourly rates for long or complicated litigation. ...

What is an engagement letter?

This is a contract between you and your attorney that defines the nature of the legal engagement you are involved in, and the conditions and terms of your agreement with your attorney.

Do attorneys charge for consultations?

Most attorneys do consultation appointments for free. However, some may charge a small fee for a consultation. Make certain that you know whether you will be charged, and don't make an appointment with an attorney who isn't forthcoming about these details. Most attorneys offer consultations for free.

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.

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.

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 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.

What can a law librarian do?

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.

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.

Consider Your Need

Remember, much like doctors or any other professional, lawyers have different areas of expertise. You'll need to find a lawyer who specializes in the area that you need help in.

Word of Mouth

Personal referrals and professional networks are where most people find legal representation. Almost everyone knows someone who knows a lawyer, the question is whether or not that lawyer specializes in the subject area you need.

Call Your Local Bar Association

Both the American Bar Association and various s tate and local Bar Associations offer search and referral tools to help you find legal representation based on the type of lawyer you're looking for.

Contact Your Insurance Company

In many cases, your auto insurance company will defend you in court after an accident, but your home insurance company or renter's insurance company will also step in to assist in certain other issues as well. Give them a call and ask to speak to their legal department.

Web Resources

Legal aid sites like LawHelp.org and ProBono.net all offer legal aid and referrals to people who need representation or legal consultation but don't know where to start. LawHelp specifically offers state-by-state referral listings so you can at least get solid leads on lawyers able to help with your needs or your case.

Make the Call

Now that you have some leads, it's time to make phone calls. You'll want whatever documentation you have on your legal issue or question in order, and you'll want to take the first phone call as a kind of interview where you can exchange questions and information about your case (or at least as an opportunity to set up that Q&A.)

How do I choose a bankruptcy lawyer?

Choosing a bankruptcy lawyer is essentially a two-step process: Begin by finding and vetting likely candidates. Complete the mission by interviewing the handful that meet your criteria, then retain the one that feels the most compatible.

Why do bankruptcy attorneys help?

It helps if the attorney has empathy for the client’s situation. Maybe they’re enduring a divorce, he says. Or their kid is sick or the car broke down or they lost their job. The go-to bankruptcy attorney knows overwhelming financial strife often creates more problems and increases misfortune.

Who is Bill Fay?

Bill “No Pay” Fay has lived a meager financial existence his entire life. He started writing/bragging about it in 2012, helping birth Debt.org into existence as the site’s original “Frugal Man.” Prior to that, he spent more than 30 years covering the high finance world of college and professional sports for major publications, including the Associated Press, New York Times and Sports Illustrated. His interest in sports has waned some, but he is as passionate as ever about not reaching for his wallet. Bill can be reached at [email protected].

1. Search for candidates

Start by identifying what you need to accomplish with your estate plan. That information will help you determine the type of attorney you'll need.

2. Interview your prospects

After you've narrowed your list to your top few candidates, confirm their state bar registration status, and then talk to them about an interview. An attorney may or may not charge you for an interview.

3. Understand each attorney's fees

Price is a key consideration in choosing an attorney. Keep in mind how much you can pay and find a lawyer whose fees you can afford.

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How to Find The Right Lawyer

  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 your case involves (e.g., malpractice law, bankruptcy law, etc.). It’s also a good idea to find attorney familiar with the courts and laws of the area where you live. This will enable your attorney to best represent your interests. Some …
  2. Contact your local bar association for qualified attorneys in your area. State bar association…
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Consider A Specialist

Interview The Prospective Lawyers

  • Locating a good lawyer who can efficiently help with your particular problem may not be easy. Don't expect to locate a good lawyer by simply looking in the phone book or reading an advertisement. There's not enough information in these sources to help you make a valid judgment.
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Further Resources

  • Most lawyers specialize in certain areas, and even a so-called "general practitioner" may not know that much about the particular area of your concern. For example, of the almost one million lawyers in America today, probably fewer than 50,000 possess sufficient training and experience in small business law to be of real help to an aspiring entrepreneur. It can pay to work with a law…
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