How to choose the right lawyer
If you have found yourself in a situation that has become a legal issue, you might be wondering how to find the right attorney to help you. Just because you think you’ll never commit a crime and you won’t need a defense attorney, doesn’t mean you might not need legal representation for other issues in your life. Knowing how to find the right attorney to represent you is imperative to your success in your issue.
Do your homework
One of the most important things you need to remember is that a lawyer is a vendor offering services and you are the consumer in need of their services. You should examine the services offered by a lawyer the same way you would research a new car purchase or vacation rental. Do your homework. Research. Read reviews. Google any previous proceedings they were part of. Know what you are getting when you hire someone. Don’t settle for the first person that pops up on your online search. Interview lawyers like you would a potential employee. Finding the right fit is important to the process, don’t skimp at the beginning with this decision.
It’s all in who you know
It’s not likely that you would accept a friend request on Facebook from someone you’ve never heard of with no mutual friends. So why choose a lawyer for your legal issue without making sure you can get the scoop on them? Finding out who your friends have used previously is a great first step in finding an attorney for your dispute. Personal referrals are a great way to know you are getting someone worth your time and money. It can be very reassuring to work with someone you can trust is a good person because they have a proven track record with someone you know and trust.
Know what you are signing up for
If you are in the market for a family issues attorney, you don’t need to hire a corporate tax attorney. You wouldn’t bring t-shirts and shorts to the North Pole and you shouldn’t show up to court with the wrong representation either. Making sure the attorney you are hiring has the area of expertise you are needing is key in selecting your representation.
Is the price right?
Choosing the wrong attorney and having to find a second lawyer is a quick way to run up a huge legal bill. Making sure you understand from the very first consultation what you will be paying and when is important to your decision making process. While many would like to hire the same attorneys that Hollywood stars use, not everyone has that same budget. There are fantastic lawyers for every price range and everyone deserves to find someone affordable who will represent them in the best way.
It’s all about communication
A lack of communication might have led to your legal issue. You want to avoid that fate with your lawyer. Making sure the personality fit is a good one in your selection process is important. In addition, making sure all those involved have a clear picture of the communication needs, processes and platforms is crucial to the success of your representation. It’s also a good idea to make sure your preferred and desired communication methods align. You are paying for their services and you deserve timely responses and appropriate knowledge transfers.
If it doesn’t feel right, it’s not right
Just because a friend used a certain lawyer and swears by them doesn’t mean they will be the right for you. You have to do what feels right. You have to trust your gut and your instincts, not the opinions of others. This is your hearing, your issue, your concern. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s not the right choice for you. You owe it to yourself to make sure you find legal representation that suits your needs, not the needs of others. Trust yourself.