does it matter what kind of/lawyer that you hire or are they all the se

by Dr. Hortense Sanford V 8 min read

Should I hire a personal injury lawyer?

You may have automobile or homeowners insurance, but it is still advisable to consult a lawyer. If you or a family member have been injured, and it appears you have a good claim, most personal injury lawyers will not charge you any fee, but will take payment from the judgment they obtain.

Should you hire the most expensive lawyer you can find?

You definitely don’t need to hire the most expensive lawyer you can find, but hiring solely based on cheap rates is a major mistake. When you hire me, you get me. The buck stops here. I’m the only lawyer in my office, and I never pass clients off to other attorneys. You deserve better than that.

Can a lawyer train his staff to deal solely with clients?

I’ve even heard colleagues BRAGGING how they train clients to deal solely with their staff starting with the initial call. Ridiculous! If a lawyer is too busy to work directly with his clients, he doesn’t deserve your business. And frankly, it’s illegal for staff to answer legal questions.

When should I hire a lawyer?

If you are charged with a crime, including domestic violence, tax fraud, or even some motor vehicle offenses (such as driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, or so many unpaid parking tickets that an arrest warrant has been issued), hire an attorney. If you stand to lose a great deal of money in a lawsuit, find a lawyer.

How do I decide what kind of lawyer to get?

Here are a few questions to help you determine what type of law would be a good fit for you:How Much Do You Like to Argue?How Motivated You Are by Money?How Much Control Do You Need Over Your Work Life?How Much Interaction Do You Need With Other People?What Do You Like to Do?

What are the 4 types of lawyers?

Bankruptcy Lawyer. Bankruptcy lawyers are experts in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and handle insolvency issues for individuals or corporations. ... Business Lawyer (Corporate Lawyer) ... Constitutional Lawyer. ... Criminal Defense Lawyer. ... Employment and Labor Lawyer. ... 6. Entertainment Lawyer. ... Estate Planning Lawyer. ... Family Lawyer.More items...

Is it better to have a local lawyer?

In all honesty, in 95% of the cases, the location of the attorney doesn't matter. We don't live in the 1800's anymore where people had to hire an in town attorney, as there were no other options. In today's legal market, it's the lawyer that matters, not where they are.

Is it better to hire a big law firm?

A bigger law firm is not necessarily better than a smaller firm. If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime or arrested, one of the most important decisions you'll ever make is who will represent you. Is it better to go with a firm whose name is on every billboard and running dozens of television ads?

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

What type of lawyer makes the most?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.

Can you have two lawyers one case?

Yes you can hire two advocates at the same time. I have hired 5 advocates at the same time as well. You can take my help in finding a good arguing counsel. Unless NOC is taken from the previous lawyer new lawyer cannot be appointed.

Do lawyers try to scare you?

If an attorney is attempting to scare you into hiring them to handle your case, they are probably exhibiting bullying behavior that can have very negative consequences later on in your case.

What is it called when a lawyer doesn't do his job?

Legal malpractice is a type of negligence in which a lawyer does harm to his or her client. Typically, this concerns lawyers acting in their own interests, lawyers breaching their contract with the client, and, one of the most common cases of legal malpractice, is when lawyers fail to act on time for clients.

Why are small law firms better?

Smaller firms run lean as a matter of survival and that carries over to a more conscientious approach to customer service, thus minimizing the number of hours they bill. Big law firms tend to pressure associates to bill as many hours as possible, thus minimizing their incentive to be efficient.

Does law firm prestige matter?

At number three, not only is prestige not the top factor for associates when it comes to selecting a law firm, we also see that the percentage of associates selecting prestige as a top factor is on a steady decline.

Why you need a law firm?

They assist the client in understanding the position of law and rights and liabilities. They represent the clients in cases in courts. They also help the client settle the cases through Alternate Dispute resolution Mechanism. They help transact business taking care of all the legal compliances.

How else can an attorney help?

Whether you are starting a small business, filing a patent, or applying for a green card, an attorney specializing in that area can help you navigate the process and ensure your paperwork is in order. Often, when people undergo complicated application processes by themselves—when applying to become a foster parent or take out a loan for a new company—a loose end will unravel into a much larger legal problem.

What type of civil matter?

Determining the type of lawyer to hire when you are part of a civil matter can be more difficult since there is an almost endless range of types of civil lawyers. Take a moment to do some research on your specific issue and then search for attorneys who handle that type of claim. If you have a land dispute with your neighbor, a residential real estate attorney can help. If you need a divorce or have a child custody dispute, you should look for a family law attorney. If you think you’re being wrongfully evicted, contact a landlord-tenant lawyer.

Is this a criminal or civil matter?

If you are currently under investigation by a law enforcement agency, have been arrested, or have been charged with a crime, then you are involved with a criminal matter. During a criminal case, you are the defendant being brought to trial by a prosecutor on behalf of a state or the federal government. You are accused of breaking a state or federal law. A private citizen can’t file criminal charges against you. In this situation, you need a criminal defense lawyer.

Why do rational clients hire lawyers and not law firms?

Why does any rational client hire lawyers and not law firms? Because law firms are an aggregation of lawyers. Once a firm grows beyond a relatively small size, the quality of lawyers will vary. As a client, what matters is the quality of the lawyer working on your matter, not the quality of people not working on your matter, ...

Do partners see each other's work?

At many firms, partners rarely see or evaluate each other’s work . A partner does work for a client, so the client sees the work. But other partners often don’t. So long as the client is happy, associates are engaged, and the bills are being paid, there isn’t a perceived need to review the partner’s work.

When to use a real estate attorney?

Simply put, the most common scenario to use a real estate attorney is when you buy or sell real estate. Cloud-based real estate law software assists attorneys by facilitating collaborative document management and project tracking in a seamless and secure environment.

What are the types of employment law cases?

Some of the most common types of cases handled by employment lawyers are contracts, wrongful termination, workplace harassment, retaliation, and workplace discrimination.

What is criminal law?

Criminal lawyers are attorneys who defend individuals and organizations against government charges in federal and state courts. Criminal lawyers understand the rules around arrest, arraignment, bail, pleas, proof, and related issues. Some of the most common crimes requiring criminal lawyers include homicide, sexual battery and assault. Criminal law software helps criminal attorneys manage their businesses.

What is a workers compensation lawyer?

Workers’ compensation lawyers specialize in helping workers navigate the unique laws that apply to people who have been injured on the job. A workers’ compensation lawyer typically has a large number of cases to manage, each with its own deadlines, so look for a firm using a modern cloud-based law firm management system. The Department of Labor administers four major disability compensation programs.

What is IP attorney?

Intellectual property attorneys (“IP attorneys”) help companies, artists, and inventors with legal issues concerning copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets and the like. IP attorneys spend a lot of time working with clients to help them avoid infringing upon the rights of others and making sure that their intellectual property is properly protected under the law.

What does an immigration lawyer do?

Immigration lawyers help immigrants, and employers seeking to hire them, with legal issues related to the status of immigrants and their families. Immigration lawyers help with visas, green cards, citizenship, and asylum and refugee status. Immigration laws change constantly, so it’s important to consult an experienced attorney in these situations.

What is a civil litigator?

The general term “civil litigator” refers to an attorney who represents clients in civil (not criminal) court, either as plaintiff or defendant. The most common kinds of civil litigation involve contract ...

What happens if an attorney violates a rule?

If an attorney violates a rule, they get disciplined by the Virginia State Bar. Before investing your money in an attorney, you should always check to see if they have any disciplinary issues on file. To check, just type their name into the Virginia State Bar’s website.

Where can I find reviews for my business?

Look for reviews on third-party websites like Google+ Local (Google Maps) and Yelp. I encourage everyone to Google me. Do it right now. Type my name into Google and check out the numerous reviews from prior clients like you that I’ve worked with.

Do I need to hire the most expensive lawyer?

You definitely don’t need to hire the most expensive lawyer you can find, but hiring solely based on cheap rates is a major mistake. When you hire me, you get me. The buck stops here. I’m the only lawyer in my office, and I never pass clients off to other attorneys. You deserve better than that.

Can you look up Hallway lawyers online?

But you don’t have any chance to have a meaningful conversation with the Hallway Lawyer, and you certainly can’t look them up online as I’ve recommended. They may suit up nicely, but they could have awful client reviews online or a littered trail of state discipline actions. You simply don’t know.

Is hiring an attorney important?

Hiring an attorney is simply too important to leave to a chance meeting in a hallway.

Can a Virginia traffic lawyer know the name of the judge?

Virginia traffic cases can vary dramatically from court to court (and even between courtrooms in the same building!). It’s physically impossible for any one lawyer to know all the subtleties of practicing in dozens of courts. They might know the name of the judge, and they may have handled A case there before, it doesn’t mean they know all the ropes.

Can a lawyer help with a court case in Virginia?

Some lawyers advertise that they can help with any court in Virginia. Others advertise in a broad swath of counties that are hours apart. Do you really want the out-of-towner on your case?

What do lawyers do?

Different types of lawyers specialize in different areas of law. Some lawyers mostly do the work outside of the courtroom, such as drafting contracts and wills, preparing documents to comply with a process, negotiating deals, and advising clients on a legal problem. There are also lawyers who present cases in court or litigations ...

What is a business lawyer?

Also known as corporate lawyers, business lawyers are legal eagles who cover a more full range of expertise in building, managing, maintaining, transferring and dissolving a business. Lawyers in this area of practice deal with the formation of the company, employment contracts, tax compliance, acquisitions, and mergers.

What is a family lawyer?

Family Lawyers. These are lawyers who handle all kinds of domestic cases, such as divorce, legal separation, child custody, adoption, paternity, alimony, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, and emancipation. But family attorneys may also handle reproductive rights cases, and their work may intersect with other areas of the law.

Why do we need malpractice lawyers?

Since these are professions that ascribe to a set of standards , they have greater professional responsibilities that may be challenged in the courtroom or in litigation.

What is a real estate lawyer?

Real estate lawyers provide legal guidance for individuals or companies seeking to buy or sell a property. They work with their clients and the real estate agents to draft documents and ensure that the paperwork is legally binding. They may also negotiate for the buyer or seller, or represent a property owner during a foreclosure dispute.

What kind of lawyer handles reproductive rights?

But family attorneys may also handle reproductive rights cases, and their work may intersect with other areas of the law. For instance, if there’s a criminal investigation of child abuse or a domestic violence case, or if there’s a juvenile delinquency case, a family lawyer may also work with a criminal lawyer. 3. Estate Planning Lawyers.

What is a criminal defense lawyer?

Last but not least, a criminal defense lawyer is skilled in handling all stages of a criminal lawsuit. They provide valuable counsel to their clients from the time they are arrested, through the investigation, charging, arraignment and sentencing. Their work isn't quite done if their clients wish to appeal their case. A good criminal defense attorney knows how to navigate the nuances of the law, which allows them to keep their clients out of prison.

What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?

In other words, it’s one thing to secure the so-called Juris Doctor degree - a graduate-entry professional degree in law - and another to pass the bar exam and practice law. So before we examine what the most interesting types of attorneys and lawyers are, it’s important to point out the difference between the two terms. An attorney is a lawyer, but a lawyer isn’t necessarily an attorney.

What is a business lawyer?

Business lawyers or corporate lawyers ensure that all operations of an individual company are conducted within the legal framework of local, state, and federal laws. A business lawyer is involved in everything from liability and intellectual property disputes to mergers and revising all sorts of legal documentation.

How much does a lawyer make?

We compared different types of lawyers and their salaries and found that medical lawyers earn the most. The average annual salary of a medical lawyer is over $150,800.

Why do people hire malpractice lawyers?

People who hire medical malpractice lawyers have most often suffered a personal injury due to an error made by a medical professional. Any harm caused by inappropriate treatment, negligence, botched surgery, or misdiagnosis falls under the practice of these types of attorneys. A malpractice lawyer can also represent health professionals when charges are brought against them, and they are usually employed directly by the medical facility where said professional works.

What do immigration lawyers do?

Immigration lawyers deal with individuals and entire families who are trying to acquire US citizenship. They provide advice on how to live and work in America legally. Immigration lawyers also work with political refugees and asylum seekers. Moreover, many employers and employees use immigration lawyers to help them obtain work visas. While this isn’t one of the highest-paid types of lawyers, helping people find a better life in the US can be fulfilling work.

Why do lawyers work for environmental organizations?

While these are not the types of lawyers that make the most money, most professionals in the field enjoy doing their part to save the planet. These lawyers work with various government organizations, citizens, and businesses to help them avoid further environmental damage in their actions, or pursue justice for the harm that has already been inflicted.

How many lawyers are there in the US?

According to the latest statistics, there were 1.33 million lawyers in the US alone. Among this vast array of legal minds are diverse types of lawyers who work across several categories of the law business. The following article covers a dozen different jobs for lawyers that can serve as a useful starting point to anyone searching for a legal practice.

Why is it important to find a lawyer?

Especially if there is a sizeable estate, tax issues, or a complicated or extensive distribution plan, it is important to find a lawyer to be sure things are done right. You Are Adopting A Child. Adopting a child is an important matter, and an attorney will assure things are done right. A Contract Is Needed. It is essential that you understand the ...

What are things clients want to pursue as a matter of principle?

Things clients want to pursue as “a matter of principle” are rarely worth pursuing in court. This includes problems like someone demeaning you (slander and libel), causing you “emotional distress,” and minor disputes between neighbors. You won’t be able to prove any monetary damages.

What to do if you are charged with a crime?

If you are charged with a crime, including domestic violence, tax fraud, or even some motor vehicle offenses (such as driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, or so many unpaid parking tickets that an arrest warrant has been issued), hire an attorney .

What to do if you don't understand a contract?

If you don’t understand the terms, or how to prepare a contract, consult a lawyer.

What are some situations that are more conducive to self-representation?

These include: Parking Tickets And Minor Traffic Violations. Most people who go to traffic court for these minor infractions do not hire a lawyer. Relatively Simple Divorce.

Can you have two lawyers for someone who died?

In some states, even if you are in agreement , or close to agreement, you can both hire one lawyer to assist you in getting through the legal process. You Need To Administer The Estate Of Someone Who Died.

Do you have to consult a lawyer for personal injury?

You may have automobile or homeowners insurance, but it is still advisable to consult a lawyer. If you or a family member have been injured, and it appears you have a good claim, most personal injury lawyers will not charge you any fee, but will take payment from the judgment they obtain.

Step 1: Do I need a lawyer?

Lawyers (also called attorneys or counsel) serve as advocates for people and organizations. They represent clients both to the court and to opposing parties. Lawyers can represent clients in criminal cases, where a law has been broken, and in civil cases, in which one party is suing another.

Step 2: What type of lawyer do I need?

Many lawyers tend to focus only on one area, or several related areas of law. In your search for the right lawyer, you should look for a lawyer who understands and has experience in the specific area of law for your issue.

Step 3: How do I narrow the list of possible lawyers to contact?

Location is an important factor in looking for a lawyer to represent you. Since your issue will likely depend on state or local laws and regulations, you will want an attorney who understands the regulations for your location. On the practical side, you will also want a lawyer who has an office that is convenient for you to travel to.