Did you know that up to 95% of personal injury lawsuits are taken care of before even going to court? Are you wondering how to choose a lawyer so that you’ll win your case?
In this article, explore how to choose a lawyer for your case to ensure that you have a higher likelihood of winning. Whether you need a very specific lawyer or not, read on to explore all of the top tips and tricks for separating the best lawyers from the rest, and winning your case in court!
Do You Need a Lawyer?
Before you need to pick a lawyer, it’s a good idea to determine if you’ll need a lawyer for your case. While small cases can be settled outside of court without a lawyer, it’s a good choice to go with an attorney to protect yourself from legal risks.
If you need a divorce, have been served with a lawsuit, or charged with a crime, these are clear reasons you’ll want to pick an attorney. An attorney can also help you with any legal advice or questions you might have as well.
They can also help you with any confusing paperwork in regards to wills and trusts, adoptions, estate planning, and business negotiations and partnerships. A high-quality attorney will help you avoid legal trouble in the future by helping you in the current situation.
Contacting the Local Bar Association
When you’re determining how to choose a good lawyer, the local bar association is a good place to start since they’ll have a public record of any disciplinary actions or complaints against lawyers. They also have referral services to help you find the right attorney for you.
Obtaining Referrals
Reach out to your friends and family, and see if they have any referrals for good lawyers. Keep in mind that a good lawyer is subjective, and you’ll want to make sure that they’ll handle what case you need.
Organize
Make a list of all potential attorneys including their name, phone number, website, and address. Take a look at each attorney’s website, and see if there are any reviews. If they don’t have reviews, you can ask them for referrals from previous clients.
Law Firm Size
Keep in mind that the size of a law firm matters depending on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a more personal touch you can choose a small law firm, but keep in mind that with fewer people working the case, it might take longer.
A big law firm is great since you can find attorneys who can handle complicated cases. Keep in mind that you might notice a less personal touch, and there might be multiple people working on your case.
How To Choose a Good Lawyer?
First, you’ll want to do research on various attorneys in your area. Whether you’re wondering how to choose a Car Accident Lawyer or divorce attorney, you should have it clear in your mind what type of lawyer you need.
Conduct Interviews
Before you meet or speak with an attorney, have a notepad and pen ready to take notes. Prior to the meeting, it’s a good idea to write down the different questions you’ll ask. You’ll also want to keep all of the important documents with you for the case.
Some questions you’ll want to ask are what their track record is, and how long they’ve been practicing for? Ask them for their experience in regards to the type of case you’ll need.
Find out what certifications and special skills they have. You’ll also want to determine if you can afford them.
Before your meeting, you’ll want to come up with a realistic budget for yourself and stick to it. If you don’t have much money to spend, it’s a good idea to look for an attorney who does pro bono (free) work or offers low-cost options.
Find out how you’ll receive your bill, and what any additional costs are as far as filing or copy fees. Do they outsource any work, or will they do all of the work themselves?
How Will I Receive Updates?
When you need to hire an attorney, you’ll want to find out how you’ll receive updates during the process. Find a lawyer who will keep you informed during the process, and not in the dark. Keep in mind that you might be billed for updates, so find out the fee structure in advance.
When Can You Start?
If you need an attorney tomorrow you won’t want to go with someone who doesn’t have availability to begin your case for 3 months. It’s also a good idea to find out if you’ll be contacting them or someone else for updates during the case, or questions you might have.
Warning Signs
There are warning signs you’ll want to notice as far as a bad lawyer. If you’re looking to sue, and they don’t mention how it can backfire, that’s a bad sign. Make sure that they’re willing to go through the court if necessary, and not try to get it out of the way and in pre-settlement.
Avoid an attorney who isn’t specific, or is evasive when you ask questions. Take a look at how organized they are as well, and how their attitude is toward you. You want someone who you’ll feel comfortable speaking with.
Exploring How To Choose a Lawyer
Now that you’ve explored how to choose a lawyer, you should have a better idea of how to pick the right attorney for you. Would you like to read business content? For everything from health to business, check out our other articles today.
Amanda Byers is a graduate of Columbia, where she played volleyball and annoyed a lot of professors. Now as Zobuz’s entertainment and Lifestyle Editor, she enjoys writing about delicious BBQ, outrageous style trends and all things Buzz worthy.
