how to approach a lawyer

Address an attorney as "Mr." or "Ms." in most contexts. In the salutation for a letter or email, address an attorney the same way you would any other respected professional- using "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their surname. Generally, this is the best way to address an attorney if you've never spoken to them before.

Full Answer

What to expect when choosing a lawyer?

Jun 18, 2014 · How to Talk to a Lawyer (and When You Need One) When You Need a Lawyer (Even If You Don't Think So) You may think the only times you need a lawyer's help are if you're being sued or you need to sue ... The First Call, and How to Determine If a Lawyer is Right For You. Be Honest and Bring Everything ...

How do I approach law firms for interviews?

Jun 01, 2020 · The Legal Plan. An important question to ask a lawyer is what the strategy for your case will be and the outcome the lawyer expects. You’ll want to get details on what kind of procedures to expect. Ask how long it will take for the entire case to be resolved. Discuss the legal strategies that will be used.

What kind of lawyer do I need for my case?

The way you approach the firms is entirely your choice. Realistically, you can either: telephone, email (CV and covering letter), send a letter (again, CV and covering letter) or visit them personally. My approach consisted mostly of emails and telephone calls to follow up my initial correspondence if I had not received a response.

How do I find the right lawyer for me?

Mar 11, 2022 · Using Your Resources: First, research the lawyer’s work experience and credentials. You can get this information from their website or other... Second, talk to friends and family members who have hired lawyers in the past. They can help give you a good idea of... Third, ask if they offer any free ...

What to ask a lawyer about a case?

An important question to ask a lawyer is what the strategy for your case will be and the outcome the lawyer expects. You’ll want to get details on what kind of procedures to expect. Ask how long it will take for the entire case to be resolved. Discuss the legal strategies that will be used. Find out if your attorney will attempt to settle and if mediation or arbitration are options. Think about the answers and if you are comfortable with them. Maybe you want to avoid a trial at all costs but your attorney really wants to just go to trial, or perhaps you have no intention of settling and want your day in court. It is important that your lawyer’s strategy lines up with your needs.

What is a meeting with a lawyer?

Meeting with a lawyer for an initial consultation is generally not a chance to ask legal questions that are in depth, but is instead an opportunity to get a sense as to whether this lawyer is the right one to handle your case. Use this meeting to help you decide which lawyer will be the best one for your case.

Why is it important to meet with a small business attorney?

Meeting with a small business attorney is an important way to get your business off to a good start and minimize future risks. Here are questions to ask at your first meeting.

Why do lawyers offer free consultations?

Most lawyers offer a free consultation so that you have a chance to determine if he or she is the right person for you. Going to the first meeting with some simple questions can help you ensure you find the right person for the legal help you need. You will not get much legal advice at this consult since it is not meant to resolve your legal ...

How to Get Started

The best way to begin with gaining legal work experience is to do it on an informal basis. First of all, make use of any contacts you may have in the legal profession, whether it be friends or family members.

The CV and Cover Letter

If you are sending a firm your CV and a covering letter, ensure your CV is up to date and your covering letter is tailored to the particular firm. I would structure it something like this:

What to do Next

After emailing or sending your covering letter, give the firm a ring in around two weeks time to ensure they received it and to make sure it hasn’t been forgotten about. Although do bare in mind that they will probably be very busy and so may not have got round to responding yet.

What Work Experience is Right for You?

The most important aspect of the work experience is that you are able to reflect on it, evaluate the things that you learned and apply that to future applications or experiences.

Expert Q&A

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Tips

If you're addressing a female attorney, always use "Ms." unless you're certain she prefers "Mrs." Many professional women consider "Mrs." to be outdated.

About This Article

This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 29,118 times.

1. How long have you practiced law?

At a minimum, you'll want to know about the lawyer's expertise and whether the lawyer is a veteran or beginner attorney, for instance. Your legal issue may very well be handled by someone who is fresh out of law school, (or not). It all depends.

2. What type of cases do you generally handle? What percentage of your practice is devoted to (the practice area in question)?

You'll also want to know about a lawyer's expertise and how much of the attorney's practice is devoted to topic area your legal issue falls within. For example, if you need help with an adoption case, you may wish to seek a family law lawyer who has worked on, well, adoption cases. Click here for a full list of practice area definitions.

3. Who is your typical client?

This is an important, but often-overlooked question. For example, if you are an individual with a particular legal problem, but the attorney your meeting with represents only corporations, this may not be the best lawyer for you. Likewise, you may wish to know the financial background of some of the lawyer's clients.

4. How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?

Now is not the time to act shy. Feel free to ask about the attorney's track record, such as the number of cases won or settled, for example.

5. Other than a law degree, what kind of special training or knowledge do you have that might apply in my situation?

Some cases, like DUI and patent cases, require specialized training and knowledge for effective representation. Be sure to inquire whether your case fits into that category.

6. What are your attorney fees and costs, and how are they billed? Will a portion or all of my case be handled by paralegals or legal assistants? If so, ask about reduced costs

This step is obviously an important one. You'll want to know whether you can afford the lawyer's services and how you will be required to pay. This is also the time to ask about payment options and how often, and under what circumstances, you will be billed.

7. What is your approach or philosophy to winning or representing a case?

This can be important in two ways. First, if you are seeking an amicable divorce, for example, but the attorney is known to "go for the kill" in divorce cases, the attorney may not be the right one for you.

How to get a lawyer?

Before your first meeting with a lawyer, find out if you’ll have to pay for the lawyer’s time. Often a first consultation is free. Be ready to give a short summary of your legal situation and the solution you want. You’ll want to ask: 1 About their experience with your kind of case 2 How they would get the solution you want 3 About the chances of getting the solution you want, and other possible outcomes 4 Whether this lawyer, other lawyers, or paralegals in the law firm would do most of the work on the case 5 About the fees for each member of the law firm who would work on your case 6 How long it might take to resolve your legal issue or case

What is the area of law that lawyers specialize in?

Many lawyers specialize in certain areas of law, such as family, estate, personal injury, contracts, or civil rights. It’s important to find a lawyer who has relevant experience with the legal area that you need. Take time to search for the right lawyer.

What does contingency fee mean?

If you hire a lawyer on a contingency, it means their fees will be a set percentage of the total money you get if you win your case, plus reimbursement for case-related expenses like depositions, expert witnesses, and filing fees.

Do lawyers charge flat fees?

Many lawyers charge a flat fee for uncomplicated services like drafting incorporation papers, handling an uncontested divorce, or filing a simple bankruptcy. Before you decide to pay for a service with a flat or fixed fee, find out exactly what services the fee does and doesn’t cover.

Why do lawyers need coaching?

Most lawyers can benefit from legal coaching services because all lawyers want to improve their careers in some way—as quickly, efficiently, and effectively as possible.

How to grow a law firm?

Grow your law firm by increasing profitability. Increasing law firm profitability is a major goal for most lawyers. But it’s easy to get overwhelmed with client work. Also, getting swept up in the cycle of putting out fires in your day-to-day can overshadow your firm’s profitability and growth efforts.

What is attorney coaching?

Attorney coaching is an effective way to assess and improve your professional communication style and strategies. A law coach can, for example, help a lawyer develop their empathy and emotional intelligence (also known as EQ).

How to keep stress at a minimum?

Managing your stress is key as well. One of the best ways to keep stress at a minimum is to feel like you have some control and a plan for what you’re doing. A lawyer coach can also help with this.

Why is work life balance important?

Carving out a better work-life balance is vitally important to most lawyers . According to the 2020 Legal Trends Report, achieving work-life balance ranked third highest on the list for lawyers on what defines law firm success. But finding that balance on your own is a daunting challenge within the pressure-packed legal industry.

What is an initial consultation?

Initial consultation. An initial consultation can determine if the coach is a good fit for your needs. In an initial consultation, you can get a feel of the coach’s style, see how their coaching will work, and discuss general goals and expectations. 2.

Why is it important to build a strong law firm culture?

Building a strong law firm culture is critical to a law firm’s success. But leadership skills are not always effectively taught in law school—and don’t always come naturally. This is where lawyer coaching can help.

Who is Sharon Miki?

Sharon Miki writes about legal technology and the business of law for Clio. An experienced freelance professional writer and editor , she's passionate about creating articles that are intriguing, useful, and well-researched.

Is it good to refer someone to you?

A one-off referral is valuable right now, but nurturing good relationships with the people who refer you can make a big difference in the long term. A little positive reinforcement encourages others to keep coming back and referring more to you. Remembering a simple thank you—whether via email or, even better, a hand-written note—goes a long way.

Can lawyers use referral marketing?

Leveraging your professional relationships with other lawyers can be a viable part of referral marketing for lawyers. You must know and follow any rules on how lawyers can earn and refer business between firms. This is especially if there is an element of referral compensation involved.

Is it good to share testimonials?

Providing a great client experience is good for your clients. But it can also make a positive impact on the broader community. If you’ve provided a good experience and your clients are talking about it, share those testimonials whenever you can in an ethical way. For example, you may be able to share positive testimonials on your law firm website—just be sure to check the rules for your jurisdiction.

Is it easy to get referrals for a law firm?

Law firms rely on referrals for new business, but getting referrals isn’t always easy. Lawyer referral marketing is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with the obstacles and rapid legal industry changes brought about by the pandemic. Connecting with clients, building relationships, and asking for law firm referrals is more challenging than ever—but it’s not impossible.