When you’ve got a legal situation on your hands, searching for a lawyer can be overwhelming. There are thousands of attorneys out there, and not everyone is the best for every case. Your attorney could be the difference between a good outcome and a not-so-good one, which is why it’s essential to take the time to find someone who matches your needs.
Begin with the Right Specialty
For example, lawyers are not interchangeable. Someone who does real estate closings all day might not be the best fit for your criminal defense charge. Law has become an overly specialized field, and lawyers accumulate knowledge about niche areas through appropriate time in the field and specialization.
When you’re searching for representation, narrow down attorneys who consistently take on what you need. A personal injury attorney knows how insurance works and the various medical documentation needed; a family lawyer knows how the court works for divorces and custody arrangements. This type of experience means they’ve been in situations like yours before and know what works.
Research Their Success
It’s not only about experience, it’s about success. Any attorney can boast X years of operation under their belt; how many cases have they settled? How many settlements did they get? How many verdicts in the courtroom? If an attorney regularly boasts success on behalf of clients, check with their website or your consult.
Be sure to have realistic expectations of what “success” means. It could mean a good settlement that avoids trial costs and associated stress. It could mean reduced charges or innovative solutions to complicated situations. Practices like Sahyers Firm that focus on client success over billable hours typically approach this avenue with a practical approach.
Acknowledge Your Communication Style
Where people go wrong is that they care too much about what’s on paper and not what’s on person; your lawyer needs to communicate complicated topics in ways for you to understand them. Your attorney should return your calls/emails, address your concerns, and allow you to ask questions without making you feel dumb.
Pay attention to how an attorney speaks to you during your first consult. Do they throw around ten-dollar words without getting to the point? Do they glaze over because they’re on a schedule? Does it feel like they never talk to anyone but other attorneys? It matters because you’ll be working together through potentially complicated and lengthy situations.
Get Clarity on Fees
Lawyer fees can quickly become complicated. Some attorneys charge by the hour; some attorneys charge regardless of a win (contingency); some charge flat rates for services rendered. Before hiring anyone, ensure that you know what their policy is before you find yourself knee-deep in fees you didn’t expect.
Have a written fee agreement that covers the bases. What’s the hourly fee? Are there fees associated with other fees, filing, expert opinions, photocopies? Is every five-minute phone call billed, or are there minimum billing requirements? These may feel awkward to inquire about, but any decent attorney will expect them and be clear in their responses.
Follow Your Instincts
Sometimes it comes down to whether or not you feel good about someone, and that’s okay. After confirming credentials, successful history and relative fee range, you need to sit with yourself to decide if you get a good vibe from them. They’ll know more personal things about you regarding finances or personal situations and represent you regarding important matters.
This doesn’t mean it’s personal if you have a bad vibe, instead, it’s a way to replace your obligation if something feels wrong, maybe they brush off your concerns or promise you things that sound too good to be true or don’t engage with you fully enough. There are tons of lawyers out there; you don’t have to settle if they’re not fully right for you even if they check off all other boxes.
Ask the Right Questions
When meeting with multiple law offices, ensure you bring critical inquiries with you. At least two meetings should give you enough information to assess which firm is right for you. How long have they been doing this niche? How many similar cases have they taken on? What do they think is the most likely outcome? What’s their turnaround time on communication? Who else will work with you?
Yet where people most often go wrong is that they don’t know what to ask until it’s too late, until they’ve hired someone else and run into problems. An educated attorney won’t be offended by such inquiries; they’ll appreciate your seriousness about finding the best fit for your needs.
Make a Decision
After you’ve established lawyers you’ve met with, now’s the time to compare notes. Who had better answers? Who seemed to know better about cases like yours? Who gave you more confidence through this process? Typically, if you’ve taken notes from multiple consults, it becomes apparent which hire is right.
Don’t rush into hiring an attorney just because it’s easier; spend the time assessing who has the right experience, communication style and fees that are reasonable enough and it will make all the difference in how your case runs and resolves. After all, you want someone dedicated to your work and who has the skill to give your situation appropriate attention.
