how to find the best attorney in your area

by Prof. Ulices Swift 10 min read

  • Personal Referrals. Friends and relatives can be a great way to find a knowledgeable attorney in your area. ...
  • FindLaw's Lawyer Directory. FindLaw's Lawyer Directory is one of several online legal directories that offer attorney listings across the U.S.
  • State Bar Associations. State Bar Associations can be a good way to locate a lawyer in your state. ...
  • Volunteer Legal Organizations. In addition to state bar associations, most states have volunteer legal organizations that can lead you to a reliable lawyer.
  • Lawyer Referral Services. Lawyer referral services can help direct you to lawyers in your area based on certain criteria, mainly practice area or special services, such as immigration, domestic violence ...
  • Advertisements. Advertisements about a lawyer's services that you read and hear in newspapers, billboards, and on the radio may provide some useful leads to attorneys in your area, but you ...
  • Internet Search. For savvy internet searchers, you may be able to pinpoint a lawyer in your area by typing in certain keywords in your favorite search engine.
  • Final Considerations. How Much Will It Costs to Hire a Lawyer? ...

Full Answer

How to tell if an attorney is a good attorney?

It’s usually a good idea to find a lawyer located in your geographical area. Besides legal knowledge of state and local laws, lawyers also have practical local knowledge. Lawyers in specific cities or towns will also have connections to helpful agencies in that city, which will expedite the process of resolving your issue.

How do I find the best attorney for my case?

What is the best website to find a quality attorney?

What to look for when looking for an attorney?

Lawyers.com is an excellent starting point as you look to find a successful resolution to your legal challenge. We make it easy to search for attorneys by location and practice area and offer critical advantages to simplify the process of selecting the correct attorney for you. In just a few moments, you can develop a detailed perspective on the firms that handle issues like yours …

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How do I find a good local lawyer?

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 good?

So if you're curious, use these five quick ways to research whether your lawyer is legit:
  1. State Bar Profile. Every lawyer who is licensed to practice law in your home state must be listed in your state bar association's directory. ...
  2. Google / Search Engines. ...
  3. Yelp. ...
  4. The Attorney's Own Website. ...
  5. Third-Party Rating Groups.
Sep 18, 2014

How do I decide what kind of lawyer to get?

Here are a few questions to help you determine what type of law would be a good fit for you:
  1. How Much Do You Like to Argue?
  2. How Motivated You Are by Money?
  3. How Much Control Do You Need Over Your Work Life?
  4. How Much Interaction Do You Need With Other People?
  5. What Do You Like to Do?
Dec 11, 2019

How much does it cost to hire the best lawyer?

On average, attorneys who charge on an hourly basis charge between $100 and $300 per hour. Attorneys involved in much higher-level, particularly complex or specialized work may charge as much as $1,000 per hour.Mar 30, 2021

What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your Lawyer
  • I forgot I had an appointment. ...
  • I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ...
  • I have already done some of the work for you. ...
  • My case will be easy money for you. ...
  • I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ...
  • Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.
Mar 17, 2021

Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer?

Throughout the process of getting your financial settlement after becoming injured, there may be periods of time that you do not hear from your attorney. Although this can be unnerving, it is a normal part of the legal process.Oct 25, 2018

What type of lawyers are the happiest?

The happiest attorneys, therefore, are those who experience a cultural fit. This means they work for firms where they are free to act independently, do work that matters to them and collaborate on teams with people who complement their personality and communication style.Jun 21, 2019

What is the easiest law to practice?

What is the least stressful type of law to practice?
  • Real estate law.
  • Intellectual property law.
  • High Street family law.
  • Government lawyers.
  • Working In-House.
Jul 9, 2021

What lawyers go to court the most?

Criminal defense lawyers may appear in court more frequently than other types of lawyers—especially if a case goes to trial.

How long is a lawyer retainer good for?

A lawyer cannot claim the retainer fee until they have completed work and provided an invoice to the client. The retainer is still the possession of the client until used for legitimate expenses as detailed in the retainer agreement. The amount in the trust account will not expire.

How much is a lawyer paid?

A: In 2020, the average salary of a lawyer was approximately $12,410 a month, which amounts to about $148,910 a year. Q: Do lawyers who own private practices or partners in law firms have a higher salary? A: Lawyers working in law firms generally earn more than those who own private practices.

How much do lawyers make an hour?

How Much Do Lawyer Jobs Pay per Hour?
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$129,500$62
75th Percentile$96,500$46
Average$80,743$39
25th Percentile$60,000$29

Personal Referrals

Friends and relatives can be a great way to find a knowledgeable attorney in your area. Not only can they recount first-hand experience with the attorney, they can give you insight on the attorney's business practices, mannerisms, and handling of fees.

FindLaw's Lawyer Directory

FindLaw's Lawyer Directory is one of several online legal directories that offer attorney listings across the U.S. As the premiere attorney search locator, FindLaw allows you to conveniently search for a lawyer by legal issue, location (i.e. state, county, city, and metro) and name.

State Bar Associations

State Bar Associations can be a good way to locate a lawyer in your state. Most bar association's websites contain comprehensive listings of attorneys licensed to practice in the state at best. In most cases, you can search for lawyers by name, location, and legal practice area, but may also conduct more advanced searches, such as languages spoken.

Volunteer Legal Organizations

In addition to state bar associations, most states have volunteer legal organizations that can lead you to a reliable lawyer.

Lawyer Referral Services

Lawyer referral services can help direct you to lawyers in your area based on certain criteria, mainly practice area or special services, such as immigration, domestic violence or legal aid.

Advertisements

Advertisements about a lawyer's services that you read and hear in newspapers, billboards, and on the radio may provide some useful leads to attorneys in your area, but you may have to do some additional fact-finding to determine a lawyer's reputation and experience level.

Internet Search

For savvy internet searchers, you may be able to pinpoint a lawyer in your area by typing in certain keywords in your favorite search engine. Keep in mind, however, that there is no filtering of internet searches and you'll probably have to sift through multiple websites one by one to find a lawyer.

Why Use Lawyers.com to Find a Lawyer?

Lawyers.com is an excellent starting point as you look to find a successful resolution to your legal challenge. We make it easy to search for attorneys by location and practice area and offer critical advantages to simplify the process of selecting the correct attorney for you.

What to consider when hiring a lawyer

Whatever your particular legal needs might be, it is likely that many attorneys have the education, skill and experience to serve you effectively. However, finding the right fit might require you to review the credentials of several lawyers and examine several different considerations.

Why Hiring A Lawyer?

What is the best thing to do when we are already in a so-called legal situation? Should we try to devise our defense or seek the help of someone who is an expert in a certain field? In any case, this second option is more recommended – unless you practice law. For many of us, the very act of seeking a lawyer can sometimes be a little intimidating.

Consider Whether You Need An Attorney

At the very beginning, you need to decide whether it is necessary to hire a lawyer for a certain case. Of course, that depends on what it is about, although in any case, it is much better to be represented by someone who is up to date with all the laws – and who is authorized to represent you.

How To Contact A Lawyer?

When faced with a problem of a legal nature, it is best to immediately seek a lawyer, to consult with him about your legal rights and obligations, and to comply with all legal deadlines. In many countries, there are different legal deadlines for action, that is, filing lawsuits and complaints – and lawyers certainly know these things best.

Facing A Legal Issue

Some people would rather avoid contact with a lawyer if that were possible. However, there is no reason to act like that. The most important thing is to prepare well before you start your search – and to know exactly what questions you will ask to make the right choice. According to Attorney Jeffrey D.

How Do You Choose The Right Lawyer To Handle Your Case?

From a personal point of view, the choice of a lawyer is a very personal matter. But that doesn’t mean you won’t hire someone whose appearance you don’t like – and yet, you’ve got all the good recommendations about his work.

Availability And Speed

Also, one of the important items that say a lot about the quality of a lawyer’s services is his availability and speed. Therefore, pay special attention to whether the lawyer answers your phone immediately, how quickly he answers emails or messages, whether he receives you at the exact agreed time, etc.

Questions You Need To Ask

The questions you inevitably need to ask attorneys going through the selection process are:

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.

De La Cruz & Cutler, LLP

Jeff Cutler is a native Miamian, attending local public schools before graduating with honors from the University of Florida School of Business Admin... Read More#N#istration (BSBA, Finance) and receiving his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida School of Law in 1982.

LegalShield (pre-paid Legal Service)

LegalShield gives you the ability to talk to an attorney on any matter without worrying about high hourly costs. For one flat monthly fee $24.95 you ... Read More

The Campbell Law Group PA

The Campbell Law Group prides itself on being a friendly and honest, “boutique” law firm in Coral Gables. We specialize in both Family and Corp... Read More

The Walton Law Firm, PLLC

The law is the most valuable when it prevents people, familes, businesses and communities are protected from wrongful actions and from suffering inju... Read More

Wesoloski Carlson, P.A

Wesoloski Carlson, P.A. helps business owners and individuals near Miami find solutions to deal to their debt problems. If you have an overwhelming a... Read More

Mott Marvin Kornicki, Notary

Mott has been a Florida Notary Public for over 30 years! Experience in Apostille Signing "Authentications", Mobil Signing Agent, Mortgage Closing Doc... Read More

The Turner Myers Firm

For the past five years, I worked for a major law firm in Miami-Dade. In my tenure at the firm, I practiced in the following areas: Family Law,... Read More

What to do if you can't afford a lawyer?

If you need a lawyer but cannot afford one, you can contact your local legal aid office, an organization that provides free or pro bono legal assistance to low-income individuals in non-criminal matters.

Do lawyers know other lawyers?

Legal circles are small and most lawyers will know several other lawyers who specialize in the practice area for which you seek advice. Lawyers are also aware of other lawyer’s reputations in a particular practice field.

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Personal Referrals

  • Friends and relatives can be a great way to find a knowledgeable attorney in your area. Not only can they recount first-hand experience with the attorney, they can give you insight on the attorney's business practices, mannerisms, and handling of fees. Keep in mind, however, that your legal issue may be different than your family member's case, which may affect whether your frie…
See more on findlaw.com

FindLaw's Lawyer Directory

  • FindLaw's Lawyer Directoryis one of several online legal directories that offer attorney listings across the U.S. As the premiere attorney search locator, FindLaw allows you to conveniently search for a lawyer by legal issue, location (i.e. state, county, city, and metro) and name. Moreover, FindLaw's directory is multidimensional to help you pinpoint relevant local attorneys, …
See more on findlaw.com

State Bar Associations

  • State Bar Associationscan be a good way to locate a lawyer in your state. Most bar association's websites contain comprehensive listings of attorneys licensed to practice in the state at best. In most cases, you can search for lawyers by name, location, and legal practice area, but may also conduct more advanced searches, such as languages spoken.
See more on findlaw.com

Volunteer Legal Organizations

  • In addition to state bar associations, most states have volunteer legal organizations that can lead you to a reliable lawyer. These organizations, which often include minority bar associations, legal aid societies, and others, might focus on representing a certain type of client, such as low-income, or particular legal focus, such as immigration or family law. You can often access the names of …
See more on findlaw.com

Lawyer Referral Services

  • Lawyer referral services can help direct you to lawyers in your area based on certain criteria, mainly practice area or special services, such as immigration, domestic violence or legal aid. Since lawyer referral services are similar to phone book listings, however, you may not receive information regarding the lawyer's experience or qualification levels. As such, you may wish to cr…
See more on findlaw.com

Advertisements

  • Advertisements about a lawyer's services that you read and hear in newspapers, billboards, and on the radio may provide some useful leads to attorneys in your area, but you may have to do some additional fact-finding to determine a lawyer's reputation and experience level. While it certainly doesn't hurt to contact a lawyer that you find through an advertisement, you should always be pr…
See more on findlaw.com

Internet Search

  • For savvy internet searchers, you may be able to pinpoint a lawyer in your area by typing in certain keywords in your favorite search engine. Keep in mind, however, that there is no filtering of internet searches and you'll probably have to sift through multiple websites one by one to find a lawyer. Furthermore, since anyone can set up a web page, it may be hard to tell the quality or reli…
See more on findlaw.com

Final Considerations

  • Once, you're ready to start contacting your list or lawyers, you may wish to read the following beforehand: 1. Ten Questions to Ask Your Potential Lawyer 2. Types of Law Firms 3. How Much Will It Costs to Hire a Lawyer? Lastly, after you've found a lawyer to work with, you should research the attorney's discipline recordand investigate whether the attorney is currently eligible to practi…
See more on findlaw.com