Almost everything we do is affected by laws. There are so many laws that it would take a person with average reading ability over a thousand years to read the law book. As if we have nothing more to do with our lives than read laws. So what do we do when a legal situation arises? Do we handle it ourselves or do we call an attorney trained in the legal field? For many people, the thought of calling an attorney can be terrifying. Sometimes they may not even know if they need a lawyer or how to choose one, so they may avoid contacting a lawyer even when it is in their best interest to do so. However, do your homework before hiring an attorney for yourself and/or your business. At the time you are faced with serious legal or medical issues, you still need to make a well-informed decision about who will represent you. And it doesn’t have to be as difficult or as expensive as you think to find a good attorney. Here are some quick tips that can ease the stress of finding an attorney.
Can I represent myself?
You have the right to represent yourself. However, the law is extremely complex and changes frequently. Unless you spend 100% of your time learning about all the laws and legal procedures that apply to your case, you have a very good chance of losing. It is very easy to overlook a legal aspect that affects your case and that can sometimes lead to unforeseen legal consequences that can be difficult and expensive to undo. Therefore, you must weigh the risks and benefits of representing yourself vs. Hire an attorney to represent your case.
When do I contact an attorney?
When faced with a problem that you think needs legal attention, you may want to consult with an attorney about your legal rights and responsibilities as soon as possible. Many states have deadlines for filing lawsuits, especially for personal injury. These so-called “statute of limitations” laws are designed to encourage people to come forward immediately and present their case. But this doesn’t mean you just have to pick the first lawyer you come across because you’re in a hurry, as you’ll learn from these tips.
How do I choose the “right” attorney for me?
From a personal aspect, selecting an attorney is always a personal matter. But, as with any service provider, the lawyer only provides his service to his client. Therefore, the attorney-client relationship must be based on trust and open and honest communication so that the attorney can provide the best of his or her service. It requires a mutual commitment from both client and attorney. If the client is not fully cooperative, the attorney may not be able to provide their best service. At the same time, if the attorney is not easily accessible and does not respond quickly to your phone calls, emails, and requests, you will get nothing but frustration. Therefore, when choosing the “right” attorney for your case, you should feel 100% comfortable talking to that attorney and have confidence in that attorney’s abilities. If there is a single doubt, you should keep looking. Your case is too important to be entrusted to someone you don’t trust.
From a professional point of view, people tend to believe that just any lawyer can handle any case. This deceptive trust often works to the disadvantage of the customer. No lawyer is an expert in all areas of the law. Therefore, in order to find the “right” attorney for your case, you should not be shy about asking questions of your prospective attorney until you gain complete confidence in his or her ability. Only then would he choose that lawyer. In fact, by asking the questions, you will be able to observe the attorney’s responsiveness and willingness to cooperate with you. Some of the most important questions to ask your prospective attorney during the selection process are:
– How much experience do you have in this area of the law (the area of your legal need)?
– Will you or one of your associates handle my case? – if an associate handles your case, that is the person you should interview.
– How many cases like mine have you handled? – Ask for the specifications of each of the cases.
– Could you provide me with references to one or each of the cases? – Be sure to call each of the customers to learn about their experience.
A responsible and understanding attorney would have no problem providing you with answers. If the lawyer gives you runarounds on each of the questions and doesn’t provide specific answers, she should keep looking. Also, always check with your state bar association if that attorney has been the subject of an ethics complaint or query.
Where do I find a lawyer?
No matter where you look for a lawyer, always keep the above advice in mind to choose the right lawyer for you. However, here are some places to look for a lawyer:
– Yellow Pages and Ads – When you open your local yellow pages, doesn’t it seem like doctors and lawyers cover half the book with ads? It almost seems as if they are the only ones who have the money for entire ad pages. Speaking of ads, unless you have marketing/sales knowledge and experience, you will never know how ads work. The ads are developed to psychologically activate your emotional senses and make you respond to the ad’s call to action. It is a science of its own. Therefore, you, as the average consumer, would have no idea which ad is telling the truth and which is blowing the truth out of proportion. But this is a very good place to at least get some names and phone numbers of local attorneys and start your selection process.
– Your Society Circle – Your family, friends, people you work with, people you talk to, people you know… start asking. This is one of the most reliable sources of it. You will have the opportunity to get first-hand experience. Someone who has been in the same or a similar situation could tell you about their experience (good or bad) with their lawyer. If their experience has been nothing but good, you have half your job done. And even if no one in your social circle could refer you to a lawyer, they may know someone else in your social circle who might have been in a similar situation. Some of the most reliable references come from people you trust (business colleagues, friends, and family) who have recently used lawyers. Word of mouth from a satisfied customer is usually very reliable.
– Bar Associations – This is another reliable source. Your local bar association may maintain a lawyer referral service, which is a list of its members by specialty who will consult with you for free or at a special rate set by the bar association for the first conference. The Bar Association may also be able to tell you if a lawyer has been the subject of an ethics complaint or query from previous clients.
– The Internet – Internet indeed. But this is your least reliable source because it could all be on the net. However, just like with the ads, you can use the Internet to at least get a list of local attorneys practicing in your problem area so you can start the selection process. On the Internet, search for attorney directories, such as Martindale.com; lawyer referral services, such as LegalMatch.com; people/business search services, such as Anywho.com; and simply your favorite search engine.
Disclaimer: The author and publisher of this article have done their best to provide you with useful, informative and accurate information. This article does not represent or replace the legal advice you need to obtain from an attorney or other professional if the content of the article involves a problem you are facing. Laws vary from state to state and change from time to time. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions on the issues described in this article. Thanks.