Whether you need a lawyer for a litigation case or a criminal case or anything in between, it is essential that you know what to look for in a good attorney before you hire.
When you have a consultation with a potential lawyer, make sure you understand the following five important things.
Table of Contents
1. Some Law Firms Will Cover Multiple Different Areas of Law
One of the most important things to consider before hiring a lawyer is the attorney’s experience in handling your specific type of case.
Some reputable law firms, like Lawler Brown Law Firm, cover multiple areas of law. That means they have the skill and experience required for personal injuries, probate, civil litigation, and criminal defense.
Make sure that the law firm you go with can skillfully handle the area of law that you need help with.
During your initial consultation, ask questions related to your case to gauge how knowledgeable the attorney is. Two of the most important questions to ask are:
- How many cases like mine have you handled before?
- How long have you been practicing law?
2. The Lawyer’s Success Rate
During the consultation with a prospective lawyer, you should also ask about his or her track record.
By finding out how successful an attorney has been in the past with similar cases to yours, you can better understand how much the lawyer can assist you in successfully winning your case.
3. The Legal Costs
Another vital thing you need to know is the lawyer’s fees and any other associated legal costs you will have to pay.
In addition to getting a rough idea of how much legal fees may cost, you must know the fee structure. Lawyers can charge by the hour, on a flat-fee basis, or on a contingency fee basis.
You should also understand what policies the lawyer uses to calculate your bill.
By getting such answers upfront, you will not face unexpected costs, and you can avoid conflicts later on.
4. The Lawyer’s Availability
Many people overlook that lawyers are not always available when you need them to be.
It is, therefore, important that you find out what your potential attorney’s availability will be. The last thing you want is a lawyer who does not return your calls or is not available for face-to-face meetings as your case progresses.
Any legal case is sure to be stressful, so you need to ensure the lawyer you select is available to help you when you need assistance.
A good attorney will always be upfront about his or her availability and guarantee periodic updates throughout the legal proceedings of your case.
5. The Lawyer’s Personality and Style Matter
Going through any type of legal matter can be stressful, so it is important that you hire a lawyer you like.
You need to feel comfortable with your lawyer. You also need to ensure he or she has the right style to best serve you.
Some lawyers are openly compassionate and diplomatic, while others are more direct and business-like. There is no one ideal personality and style. The important thing is that you get an attorney on board who has the personality and style that is a good fit for you.
Choosing a lawyer with the right personal attributes can be the difference between a lasting relationship and the pitfall of communication breakdowns.
So, get to know a potential lawyer during the consultation stage to determine whether the attorney is a good fit for your specific wants and needs.
Featured Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels
