how to answer call for lawyer

Proper Ways to Answer the Phone at a Law Office

• Initial Call Intake. Take each call by announcing the law firm's name, identifying yourself by name, and inquiring how...
• Identifying the Caller's Needs. It is very important for you to listen closely to a caller and identify her needs and to...
• Route Caller to Appropriate Person in Firm. If the caller is requesting...

Full Answer

How do I answer calls at a law office?

But there are certain principles that you should always follow when answering calls at a law office. Take each call by announcing the law firm's name, identifying yourself by name, and inquiring how you can be of assistance to the caller. For example, “Good morning, this is the law firm of X and Y, Jane speaking, who am I speaking with?”

How do I contact a lawyer?

Lawyers are required to reasonably respond. 2. Send your request by email, fax or overnight mail. 3. Do not repeatedly contact the lawyer. Reasonable requests means reasonable in number, frequency and topic.

Should I hire a legal phone answering service?

If you are unable to handle your call volume, consider hiring a legal phone answering service to assist you. We can recommend a service that some of our other attorney clients use and have been happy with the results. We will work with you to help you get the best results possible, no matter what issue you are facing.

How do you respond to a letter from a lawyer?

Crafting Your Response It’s always best to have an attorney respond, on your behalf, to a “lawyer letter,” or a phone call from a lawyer. If that’s not an option for you, though, make sure that you send a typed, written response to the attorney (by e-mail or mail), and keep a copy for yourself.

What do I say when calling a lawyer?

0:261:20What To Say When You Call An Attorney - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKnow kind of ballpark. Terms where you're coming from. And then you can elaborate on your specific.MoreKnow kind of ballpark. Terms where you're coming from. And then you can elaborate on your specific. Situation. And when you keep it simple in the beginning it really does make it easier.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

How do you impress a lawyer?

They should be clear, thoughtful and relevant. Asking a lot of smart questions about the firm and your practice area also shows interest, and thus motivation. It also makes you look good by showing that you are intelligent, savvy and well-prepared.

How do lawyers bill for phone calls?

If the lawyer charges an hourly fee, the lawyer will bill you for small tasks like writing emails to you and answering your telephone calls. Some lawyers charge for their time in six-minute increments, and will round up. For example, if your lawyer charges $250 per hour, a ten-minute phone call may cost you $50.

How do you answer a lawyer question?

Do Not Exaggerate. Specifically, do not make over-broad statements that you may have to correct. Be particularly careful in responding to a question that begins “Wouldn't you agree that . . .?” The explanation should be in your own words; do not let an attorney put words in your mouth. Explain your answer if necessary.

How do you negotiate with a lawyer?

How to Negotiate With an AttorneyResearch First. Start by getting a basic understanding of the different ways that lawyers can charge you. ... Consider a Flat Fee. ... Consider an Hourly Fee. ... Consider a Contingency Fee. ... Ask for Fees in Writing. ... Cut the Extras. ... Look Outside Your Area. ... Explore Your Options and Find a Cheaper Attorney.More items...•

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

How do you get a lawyer to like you?

Why Client Portals Suck And What To Do About ItAct like you're impressed by his status and wealth.Be prepared to mix sexiness with nerdiness.Be as elusive as spring bonuses.If he's an associate, let him dominate you. If he's a partner, dominate him.Lawyers CHECK THEY EMAILS OFTEN [sic], so make it worth his while.

Do u tell your lawyer the truth?

It's almost always advisable to tell your lawyer the whole truth about your case, even if you've committed a crime. Giving your lawyer all the facts helps them craft the best defense by raising reasonable doubt. Even when a client admits guilt, there are usually many mitigating circumstances that can come into play.

How much does it cost to talk to a lawyer?

The minimum for an hourly consultation is around PHP 1,000.00 outside of Metro Manila and PHP 2,500.00 in Metro Manila. The rate only goes higher depending on the lawyer. There is no standard rate for an hourly consultation so it is best to ask for the consultation fee before booking a consultation.

Will a lawyer take a losing case?

If your case isn't winnable, no lawyer will want to waste your time, or the court's time, pursuing legal action. However, if you have a case where the facts and evidence are in question, but the damages you could recover are high, an attorney with extensive experience in cases like yours might take the case.

What is a flat fee for a lawyer?

Flat Fee. A flat fee is when a lawyer charges a specific, total fee. Lawyers typically offer flat fees for cases that are relatively simple or routine, such as creating a will, getting an uncontested divorce, or resolving a traffic ticket.

How often do law firms fail to collect contact information?

Nearly nine times out of ten, law firms fail to collect full contact information from their callers. This is alarming; those callers are your leads! Leads turn into clients – don’t let them walk away.

What happens if a caller ends without collecting information?

Every call that ends without collecting information from your caller is money out the window. You are now at their will and can’t follow up to sell your legal services to them. Not to mention, if they call back, you have no record of what happened during that initial call.

How to be reasonable in a conversation?

Be reasonable. This involves taking positions that you feel others can relate to, understand, or agree with. Being reasonable also involves giving others the benefit of the doubt, when possible.

What to do if mediation doesn't work?

If mediation doesn’t work, they can take their case before an arbiter, and agree, in writing, to abide by whatever decision the arbiter makes in arbitration. If you have received a “lawyer letter,” consider ADR as a next step for conflict resolution.

What happens if someone makes an enquiry?

By the time someone makes an enquiry, they are yours to lose. They've already had a recommendation, or looked at your website and decided they like what they see. If you can deal with the enquiry well, yours may be the only firm they contact, particularly for private clients looking for immediate advice.

Can an enquiry come through directly to a lawyer?

Some enquiries will come through directly to a lawyer. For example, a prospect might be given your direct line by an existing client, or you might meet someone at a networking event.

What to do if you miss a call?

We aren’t including this as a rule simply because it should be a given. If the phone rings, answer it. If you miss the call, listen to the voice message , if any, and call them back as soon as possible. If you are unable to handle your call volume, consider hiring a legal phone answering service to assist you.

How many chances do attorneys have of retaining clients?

Studies show that once a lead is in front of an attorney, the attorney has a 74% chance of retaining them as a client. That is why the goal of your phone conversation should be nothing more than scheduling an in-person consultation. The initial phone call is not the time to discuss fees or to qualify the lead.

How to remind a lead of an appointment?

When you speak with the lead on the initial phone call, confirm with them the best way to remind them of their appointment. Based on the reason for needing your services, they may prefer to be contacted at work or through email instead of through a phone call to their cell.

How much does a 15 minute consultation cost?

An hour with an attorney costs on average $200-$400, so even a 15-minute consultation has a value of $50-$100.

What is the most important factor in a law firm phone call?

The most important factor with this law firm phone call is to make sure you take down the information for not just the caller, but the person they are calling on behalf of as well.

Do receptionists take down dates?

But it’s also a good idea to have your receptionist take down any times, dates, or document types before transferring the call to you.