Need Help Hiring The Right Lawyer? Here’s How To Do It
At one point or another, you would need a lawyer in life. Whether it is when you are in some criminal situation, want to get a divorce, need to lay a claim, or been in a car accident; the usefulness of an attorney is broad.
It is not enough to know when you need a lawyer, how can you get the right lawyer for your case? Searching for the perfect lawyer for your case and entrusting your life (in some cases) to someone you don’t know can be daunting.
Fortunately, that’s what you’d learn in this article: how to get a lawyer that is willing to guide you and serve as your legal counsel. Keep reading to find out more.
1. Referrals
One of the best approaches to take when searching for the right lawyer is through word of mouth or referrals from loved ones (friends, neighbors, relatives, business associates, and acquaintances). These people have no ulterior interest or financial gain when they recommend a lawyer.
As you can imagine, they can brief you on benefits or issues they faced during their experience with the attorney they’re referring to. You are advised to seek recommendations from your friend and not hire them. While you can be easily tempted to do that, it may not be the best approach especially if they specialize in a different niche outside of what you need. In that case, they won’t be much help to you. The referral approach is split into three: personal, business, and lawyer referrals. The personal referral has been discussed above.
Business Referrals
Depending on the area of specialization you want, you can reach out to businesses that provide services to important stakeholders in the legal area to help you identify lawyers that would be relevant in your case.
People interested in small business law can speak to their accountant, broker, or insurance agent, as these people are usually in contact with attorneys representing similar business clients as you.
Lawyer Referral Services
If you’re familiar with Upwork’s modus operandi, this service shouldn’t be new to you. They maintain a network of lawyers and help connect people in need of an attorney with a corresponding lawyer. Verhaeghe Law in Alberta would connect you with any kind of lawyer you need depending on your case. Lawyer referral services need to be approved by the state bar association. This is a good place to search for a lawyer.
2. Internet Resources
Quite similar to lawyer referral services, there are a good number of paid directories online that provide search engines through which you can easily get a lawyer. They usually offer a way to contact local lawyers based on where you’re located and your legal case.
In most cases, you’d only need to answer some questions about your case and provide your contact information. After that, the right type of lawyer you’re looking for would reach out to you directly.
3. Local and Online Directories
You can visit your local library for a unique lawyer or law firm directory. They have a comprehensive profile list of attorneys that would guide in making an informed decision. Some directory’s profile shows the lawyer’s fees, their educational background, and philosophy of practicing law. You could also get similar data from online directories.
4. Legal Aid Services
People in need of a lawyer but don’t have the means to hire one can contact the local legal aid office. It is an institution that offers free or pro bono legal assistance to low-income earners in non-criminal cases. You’d see them on the white pages of your phone directory or search online for legal aid and insert the city or county to find legal aid providers close to you.
Interrogating Prospective Lawyers
After getting a good number of prospects, you want to talk to each of them personally to know if they’re a good fit for your case. There are few qualities to look out for.
Personality
Getting an experienced lawyer is important but is there personal chemistry between you both? If you don’t feel comfortable with the lawyer within the first couple of meetings, communicating might be difficult. Look out for experience, accessibility, and personal bond during the interview.
Communication and Punctuality
Find out how you should contact them and what their response time would be. Just because the lawyer seems friendly and easy to communicate with doesn’t mean it’s okay to skip this step.
Are They Willing to Work With You?
Ensure the lawyer is willing to work with you if you hope to represent yourself and use him or her for advice. For instance, after drafting your bylaws, contracts, or agreements for your business, ask the lawyer if they’d be willing to go through your drafts and make comments where necessary.
People with complex legal problems or one involving lots of money would not want to attempt handling the case without a lawyer. Lawyers are more than just professionals that provide legal information, they dispense prudent advice alongside judicious and sophisticated technical skills to solve legal problems.
