subject: Crucial Information You Need To Know Before Hiring A Lawyer [print this page] To have a broken nose fixed, it would be safe to go to a cosmetic surgeon. When you're expecting a baby, you need the services of an obstetrician gynecologist. Oftentimes, approaching the right lawyer for the particular case you want to file in court is not an easy task.
You must be willing to exert a lot of effort and patience if you want to find a suitable attorney to defend your case. While doctors cannot practice a specialization without the necessary board certification, lawyers are allowed to render any type of legal service regardless of their specialization.
The bar should have a definitive policy on board certifications so that it will be more convenient for clients to hire a lawyer. Any passer of the bar should be able to deal with basic documentation work.
These tasks range from examining, analyzing or amending legal documents to writing or executing contracts, deeds, or undertakings. For more complicated transactions or cases, lawyers with proven track records in their field should be sought.
How then should you find the right attorney? Asking around is a good first step when looking for a lawyer. List the names of all the prospective lawyers provided to you by friends.
Referrals from family and friends are helpful leads that can bring you to the particular lawyer you need. In large communities, a good way to find lawyers is through referral services.
Experienced lawyers do not resort to advertising because they are much sought after and have an established clientele. Promotions through the media and the Internet tend to be overstated, which can mislead clients as to the real background of a lawyer.
The telephone directory is an important reference if you're looking for people. When a name is referred to you, you should try to gather as much information about this person as possible. Although law firms may offer all types of legal services, each lawyer is assigned cases related to his or her expertise.
The setting for an interview may be formal or informal, depending on the relationship you have or don't have with your candidate. Your initial consultation with the lawyer will involve a narration of your case, problem or situation Politely ask the lawyer what the chances of your case are.
The succeeding guide may help you in your line of questioning. Does the lawyer have enough past experience on similar cases to take on your problem? People, customs, traditions and practices change, so should certain areas of the law.
Lawyers are expected to keep abreast of the latest changes in the law. Does the lawyer have an hourly rate or does he or she bill on a per project basis?
For a variety of reasons, some lawyers do not just accept every case that is presented to them, hence the seeming reluctance to reveal their fees. This is just a part of the whole picture and thus, must not be considered as gospel truth. Litigation and other complicated legal procedures can be long drawn out, hence costs are hard to estimate.
Is the lawyer consulted for writings he has done? Publishing can be tedious, that is why lawyers are sometimes not encouraged to write. The abilities of a lawyer can be measured in part by his or her written work.
Aside from testimonials from clients, it may also be wise to get information from less satisfied clients to make a balanced judgment. Present clients can learn much from previous clients with similar situations.
Is the lawyer an active member of any sections or other subgroups of the state bar? There are as many sections as there are areas of specialization. Legal assistance for tax problems, for instance, is best handled by a lawyer belonging to the state bar taxation section.
Although these pointers are worth trying, they should not be construed to be the only factors to consider. Having said that, you have to get the ball rolling. To check on the integrity of your prospective lawyer, go to the state bar association.
