When you find yourself in legal trouble or in a situation where you need legal counsel in order to obtain a resolution, you want the best representation on your side. Just like any other service you would choose, you need to do due diligence with research to make an informed decision about your legal counsel. Here are some simple steps that you can use to help choose the best attorney for your legal needs.
Conduct an Interview
Many attorneys offer a free consultation for potential clients, and this gives both you and the attorney a chance to find out if you are a good fit. During this time you should choose your questions carefully, as you should be able to assess the lawyer’s legal ability through their answers. Most free consultations only last an hour or less, so you should prioritize your questions accordingly.
1. How much experience do you have in the particular area of law, both in years of practice and cases tried?
If you are needing a divorce lawyer, you don’t want someone who only has experience in real estate law. It is possible to find a lawyer that has a specific interest in representing cases of your nature. Consider that work of the Cordell and Cordell professionals. After their legal team noticed a significant gap in the quality of representation males received in certain areas of litigation (such as domestic suits), the founding lawyers at Cordell & Cordell address their specialty of work with cases of litigation involving males. Find a lawyer that meets your needs but looking for one with the most experience in a specific area.
2. How do you structure your fees and when does billing occur?
Some lawyers will bill by the hour and leave you with an enormous debt at the end of the case. Others can give you a flat for their services and demand the payment upfront. Keep in mind that what you are willing to pay may not be on par with the level of services you will receive. The same goes for a more expensive lawyer. The amount of money you have to spend or are being charged is not a guarantee of better services or verdict in your favor. Some lawyers may bring in assistants to help with the case, and you may be charged for these services as well. Ask for an itemized list of services to accompany each bill, and be very clear about your understanding of the rates and charges before you hire an attorney.
3. Can you provide references from any other clients?
Talking to other clients will be one way to get the inside story on what working with the attorney will be like. In today’s digital age, you may be able to go online to a website or social media page in order to read a first-hand account of a client’s experience. While you are probably interested in hearing success stories, hearing from someone who did not win their case may provide a balancing perspective. However, always take personal opinion with a grain of salt.
4. Do you carry malpractice insurance and what are the limitations of the policy?
You aren’t asking because you intend to sue the attorney, but because in the event that your case is neglected or gross misconduct occurs, there will be a resource to help recover any potential losses. An attorney should not take offense by this question, as malpractice insurance provides peace of mind for an attorney and his or her law practice, as well as any potential clients.
Knowing what to ask an attorney can help make the most of your legal case. Take these four questions with you to a consultation to select the most qualified legal counsel.
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