Chances are very good that at some point in your life, you will require the services of a lawyer. How do you hire someone? What will a relationship with your lawyer entail? The purpose of this article is to help you decide how to pick a lawyer who is the right fit for your case.
When it comes to hiring a lawyer, trust is an essential part of the relationship that you want to build. You will want a lawyer that you can feel comfortable with and who seems very capable of handling your case. This may take some time to find, so look carefully!
A great tip if you’re thinking about hiring a lawyer is to make sure the lawyer you select answers all of the questions that you have. You don’t want to pick a lawyer who can’t give you a straight answer because you’ll be left in the dark and won’t know what’s going on.
You may not know that you are entitled to have everything you’ve shared with a lawyer to be kept confidential. In other words, if you discuss key issues related to your business or company, for example, he or she is not allowed to go to your competitors and disclose that information.
It is important to discuss fees with your lawyer up front, before signing any contracts with them. Find out the fee structure that they use to make sure that you can afford their services. If it is out of your price range, then you can look around for a more affordable lawyer.
Communicate with your lawyer. A good lawyer should be easy to get in touch with and call you back quickly after you leave a voice-mail. You should not hesitate to call your lawyer to ask for some updates or schedule regular appointments so your lawyer can give you more details on what they have been working on.
Do your research prior to hiring any lawyer. You may get the itch to get it over with and just choose someone from the Yellow Pages. Don’t do it! You won’t be happy with the outcome. Instead, research lawyers who could perform best for you. Track down some referrals (they may be online) and get an idea about his or her personality and track record. It’ll make your situation much better.
Wait to sign a contract with an attorney until you feel the situation is right. Request an estimate from the attorney so that you know approximately how many hours he or she intends on putting into the case. If the lawyer refuses, move on. A range is acceptable, but it is not fair if you have no idea what you are getting into.
Use only lawyers you feel are trustworthy. This is particularly true if you’re using a lawyer for business purposes. Many lawyers will ask for a blank check or retainer fee. If so, you are very vulnerable when hiring that person. Make sure you protect yourself!
A good tip to remember when working with a lawyer is to try and get as much done in possible in one meeting. You’re going to pay a lot more to schedule different meetings to discuss multiple things. Going over several topics in one meeting can save you a lot of money.
Any initial meeting or conversation with a lawyer should include four key questions that you ask them. Is the lawyer experienced in your specific type of situation? Do they charge flat rates or hourly fees? How much do they estimate the total cost will be? How long will this take to fully resolve?
Create a list of questions to ask your lawyer during the first meeting. You may be very nervous during that first encounter with your potential lawyer, so do yourself a favor and write down your top questions. This way, you’ll be sure not to forget anything during the meeting.
Bring a pen and notebook to your initial consultation. At this meeting, you are probably going to be presented with a lot of material that is important. It is crucial to write this down and keep a notebook of your case, as there are usually deadlines that you will have to meet.
Take a look around the room when you first enter an attorney’s office. If there are bookcases in the office, how are books arranged? Are they grouped alphabetically or by area of expertise? If not, the lawyer may not be particularly organized, which is definitely a red flag. Does your lawyer have piles of paperwork and whatnot all over the desk? Are the lawyer’s personal items in order or just thrown around the room randomly. Attorneys will charge you for the amount of time used locating your paperwork, so an organized office is important to you.
When you know what to look for and what to expect, the search is much easier. It can be very difficult to manage your legal issues. Read this article for tips on finding the best lawyer for you.