how to find a strong an attorney

How To Find a Good Lawyer?

1. PERSONAL REFERRALS. A better approach is to talk to people in your community who have experienced the same problem...
2. ONLINE SERVICES. Many sites, offer a way to connect with local lawyers based on your location and the type of legal...
3. LAWYER DIRECTORY. Lawyer directories provide a comprehensive profile for each attorney with...

Full Answer

How to find a good lawyer?

Dec 14, 2012 · Finding Potential Attorneys Download Article 1. Determine what type of attorney you need. It is always preferable to locate an attorney who has specialized expertise... 2. Contact your local bar association for qualified attorneys in your area. State bar associations keep public records... 3. Review ...

What do the profiles tell you about the lawyer?

Talk to a local lawyer. Nolo's Lawyer Directory Nolo offers a unique lawyer directory that provides a comprehensive profile for each attorney with information to help you select the right attorney. The profiles tell you about the lawyer's experience, education, fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer's general philosophy of practicing law.

How to choose an attorney for a case?

Apr 05, 2017 · How To Find a Good Lawyer? 1. PERSONAL REFERRALS. A better approach is to talk to people in your community who have experienced the same problem... 2. ONLINE SERVICES. Many sites, offer a way to connect with local lawyers based on your location and the type of legal... 3. LAWYER DIRECTORY. Lawyer ...

What are the factors to consider when hiring a lawyer?

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 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 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.

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.

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 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.

What do lawyers specialize in?

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. It can pay to work with a lawyer who already knows the field, such as employment discrimination, zoning laws, software design issues, or restaurant licensing. That way you can take advantage of the fact that the lawyer is already far up the learning curve. Sometimes specialists charge a little more, but if their specialized information is truly valuable, it can be money well spent.

What is a lawyer director?

Lawyer directories provide a comprehensive profile for each attorney with information that will help you select the right lawyer. The profiles tell you about the lawyer’s experience, education, and fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer’s general philosophy of practising 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 lawyers and list only those lawyers with particular qualifications and a certain amount of past experience, while other services will list any lawyer 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 lawyers and how carefully lawyers are screened.

What does legal insurance cover?

These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters. Other programs cover only advice and consultation with a lawyer.

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.

Can you be incarcerated for six months?

If you are accused of a crime, the U.S. 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. If you cannot afford a lawyer, either the judge hearing the case will appoint a private lawyer to represent you free of charge or the government’s public defender will handle your case, also at no charge.

Tap Your Network

Ask around among your family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances to see if they know of any attorneys they could recommend. Personal references can be some of the most reliable references you will find.

Do Some Research

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.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer

Now that you have some attorney options, it’s time to choose. To get you started, here’s a list of questions to ask an attorney before hiring them:

More Considerations When Hiring a Lawyer

One way to get a feel for an attorney’s practice is to be observant when you go for your first consultation.

How Do I Find a Lawyer?

Finding a lawyer can be difficult because so many people practice law in cities across the U.S. The process requires careful research and consultations with each potential attorney.

Why Is Finding a Lawyer Important?

Finding the right lawyer for your case can impact the outcome. An experienced lawyer in the area of your case will understand the necessary steps to improve your chances of having a favorable ruling. When working on other similar cases, a lawyer can also get a better feel for the requirements and regulations around your legal issue.

Reasons to Consider Not Finding a Lawyer

One of the most common reasons that someone might not hire a lawyer is the cost. Lawyer fees are not cheap, although options like flat-rate pricing can help reduce the overall cost. But even if you can't afford a lawyer, you don't have to go into your legal proceedings without any help.

Reasons to Consider Finding a Lawyer

Working with an experienced attorney comes with several benefits. You only have one chance to represent the information and win your case, so coming in with the best possible resources will help. The defendant and his/her lawyer may also change the strategy when they learn of who you choose to represent you.

What Could Happen When You Find a Lawyer?

With the right lawyer on your side, you can go into a legal battle with confidence. Your attorney will have the knowledge, tools, and resources to put together a strong case, helping to increase your odds of having a ruling in your favor.

What Could Happen When You Don't Find a Lawyer?

If you can't find a lawyer who makes you feel comfortable and confident, it's better to keep looking than hire just anyone. A good lawyer should communicate promptly to give you the information you need. But going into certain types of cases without legal representation is difficult and complex.

Common Mistakes

One mistake that you could make while trying to find a lawyer is hiring the first one you meet. Take time and meet with several lawyers in the specialty of your case so you can get a feel for different approaches and options. Cost is certainly a factor when choosing a lawyer, but don't hire the cheapest one because that's what you can afford.

The first thing you need to do is find a good lawyer. Here are 3 ways to do just that!

You only have one chance to win your case. Having the right lawyer protect your rights is critical to your success.

Approach No. 1- Personal Referrals From Qualified Sources

First of all, keep in mind that the right lawyer for you is someone who not only can provide you with the correct answers to all 9 of these questions. It is also someone you are comfortable with and who you can trust.

Approach No. 2- Visit These Websites

If you are unable to get a personal referral from a trusted friend or professional acquaintance, go to the Martindale-Hubbell ( martindale.com ), American Association for Justice ( justice.org ), The National Trial Lawyers ( thenationaltriallawyers.com) or AVVO ( avvo.com) web sites and do a search for the type of lawyer you need.

Approach No. 3- Contact Your Local Attorney Organization (Bar)

Another good way to find an experienced lawyer is to contact the local bar association (the local lawyer organization) in the town or area were you need legal help. This is a great way to find a lawyer in another state.

Final Tips

1. Just because someone “knows” and shares the name of a lawyer with you doesn’t mean that lawyer is any good at practicing law or trying cases. Use the above steps to investigate further.