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.
Sep 04, 2020 · Although an attorney isn’t always necessary when dealing with legal situations, if you’ve decided you want to hire a lawyer, you may now be wondering how you go about finding a good one. Before you begin your search to find a lawyer , remember there are different types of lawyers, from estate planning to criminal defense.
Dec 14, 2012 · 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.
Jun 17, 2014 · 17 reviews. Avvo Rating Not Displayed. Family Law Attorney in Old Saybrook, CT. Reveal number. tel: (203) 377-4111. Call. Posted on Jun 17, 2014. You have a right to be concerned. The rules of ethics for attorneys mandates that you get a response to a phone call within a reasonable amount of time.
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.
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.
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:
One way to get a feel for an attorney’s practice is to be observant when you go for your first consultation.
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.
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.
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. ...
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.
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.
You should continue to contact your attorney and attend the hearing. If he does not appear at the hearing, you should inform the judge and find a new attorney. Good luck.
I agree with counsel. Advise the court of the problems as they will at least attempt to contact your attorney
You have a right to be concerned. The rules of ethics for attorneys mandates that you get a response to a phone call within a reasonable amount of time.#N#Every attorney has to have a physical address. Search for him at http://www.jud.ct.gov/attorneyfirminquiry/AttorneyFirmInquiry.aspx and unless he...
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, according to the ABA. These ads can help determine the lawyer's practice area, which in turn can help you narrow down which type of lawyer you need for your case.
Some lawyers offer pro bono services, but this is based on their discretion. Some legal aid offices have their own lawyers while others work with volunteer lawyers. It's important to note that in civil cases, people do not have the right to a free attorney.
It is one thing to hire a lawyer to draft a real estate contract or a will and another to be represented in an acrimonious divorce or when charged with a felony. Each legal situation is different and not every lawyer is the right one for you and your legal problem.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
These deadlines may be very short. In Alaska, for example, the deadline is three days .
If you are in jail, your attorney will meet with you. If you have been released on bail, be sure to return your attorney’s calls promptly. Your attorney will ask you for contact information for any witnesses, and may ask you to create a timeline of events or draw a picture of the crime scene .
Your first appearance in court is usually your arraignment or bail hearing. It is also your opportunity to ask for a court-appointed attorney. If you are in custody, jail officials will escort you to the hearing. If you have already been released on bail, you are responsible for attending the hearing on time.
If your financial situation improves and you fail to disclose it to the court, you may be penalized.
Criminal law is complex and detailed, and you will be facing an experienced and well-trained prosecutor. You want a defense attorney on your side for their writing, negotiating, and trial experience. What’s more, your defense attorney will monitor the prosecutor’s work and address any unethical conduct to the judge.
In most criminal cases, you are entitled to have an attorney represent you unless the offense is so minimal that you are not facing a jail sentence if convicted. There are other types of cases where you are entitled to an attorney, such as a case initiated by Child Protective Services to terminate your parental rights.
When you answer “no,” the judge will ask whether you would like the court to appoint an attorney to represent you. Say yes. At this point, the judge may appoint a lawyer immediately. That lawyer, who will already be present in the courtroom, will represent you and assist you through the rest of the hearing.
How To Choose The Right Lawyer 1 Choose a lawyer that specializes in the type of crime that you are charged with. 2 Try to find a lawyer via recommendations from friends or family or other people who may have used the lawyer in the past. 3 You can get lawyer recommendations from the Bar Association in your state. 4 Also check your local Legal Aid Society for recommendations or for the availability of attorneys that do pro bono work.
Once you are out of jail awaiting trial, you have certain choices: you can stick with the lawyer you originally called or the public defender that was assigned to you, or you can pick a new lawyer. For a specific crime, it is a good idea to hire a lawyer that specializes in that area.
If you have a bail hearing, you lawyer will file a motion for OR (own recognizance) release. This means that they are requesting that the court allows you to be released without bail, on condition that you agree to appear in court when necessary.
Depending on where you live, the severity of the crime or complexity of the case, and experience of the lawyer, fees can range from $50 per hour to $400 per hour. Don’t forget other expenses such as filing fees and court costs.
Also, there are many organizations and programs out there that offer free representation in the form of pro bono lawyers. Most law firms offer pro bono lawyers, and in fact some state bar associations have a requirement that a lawyer complete a minimum amount of pro bono hours per year. Many lawyers don’t actually advertise pro bono services, so it is up to you to locate one. As with a public defender, you have to be able to prove your income level to qualify for their services.
Do not represent your self! Make sure you have an attorney representing you! In conclusion, there are a lot of things to take into account when choosing a lawyer to represent you. Do your homework, and don’t just go with the first one that you meet.
Obviously, the need for a lawyer depends on the severity of the crime. While a speeding ticket or DUI may not necessarily warrant their services, if you are faced with anything more serious, it is essential. Remember, that you have the right to request a lawyer immediately. Once you make this request, you are not obliged to answer any more ...
If you have filed a lawsuit then you can subpoena the documents you are requesting. However, I know this process may seem like something you can handle on your own, but there is a reason why attorneys train and specialize in employment law, it isn't as easy or simple as it seems...
I suspect you really ought to hire a lawyer. However, if you have filed a lawsuit and you're doing it on your own, you have subpoena power now. If nothing else, consult w/a local lawyer for assistance in doing the subpoena.
You can't force them to give you the name of their lawyer, and in fact they may not have a lawyer relative to your "case", until you actually file. Once you file suit, they will file an answer and presuming they are a corporation, will have to do so through an attorney. You'll soon hear more from/about their attorneys than you ever wanted to.