how to find a lawyer for a lawsuit

by Norris Stoltenberg II 10 min read

Finding a Lawyer

  • Advertisements. Attorney advertisements can be found online, in newspapers, on the radio, in print, and other mediums.
  • Legal aid organizations. ...
  • Legal directories and referral services. ...
  • Paralegals. ...
  • Recommendations and testimonials. ...

Full Answer

How do I find a lawyer?

Jan 25, 2017 · You may be able to find lawyer referrals in your area by checking the American Bar Association website or your state bar association. Low income consumers may qualify for legal aid. Find an office in your state here. Servicemembers should consult their local JAG office . Ask people you know to suggest attorneys they have worked with in the past.

Where can you find a lawyer?

There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.

How do you search for a lawyer?

Given the extent of legal services that a lawsuit lawyer can offer, it would certainly be in your best interest to speak with one about your particular civil law claim. On a final note, if the reason you have not yet hired one is because you do not know where to begin your search, you should consider using LegalMatch’s services to connect you with a qualified civil attorney who …

What is a lawsuit lawyer called?

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What are good reasons to sue?

Top 6 Reasons to SueFor Monetary Compensation. You can litigate against an entity who has committed some negligent action through which you suffer an injury. ... For Protecting Your Property. ... For Replacing a Trustee. ... For Getting a Divorce. ... For Enforcing the Terms of a Contract. ... For Discrimination and Harassment.

How do I choose the right lawyer?

You can run an attorney search at databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which provide information such as practice areas, location, disciplinary records, and lawyer reviews. You might also consult your local or state bar association's attorney directory, which is a list of lawyers in your area.

What kind of questions would you ask a lawyer?

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...•Jan 29, 2017

How do you ask a lawyer for help?

How to Ask Another Attorney for HelpStep 1: Know What You Need To Ask. It is best to determine how much help you need before picking up the phone. ... Step 2: Be Respectful of Their Time and Schedule.Step 3: Respect Their Advice.

What does legal insurance cover?

These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters. Other programs cover only advice and consultation with a lawyer.

How long can you be in jail for a crime?

Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes.

Can you be incarcerated for six months?

If you are accused of a crime, the U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes. If you cannot afford a lawyer, either the judge hearing the case will appoint a private lawyer to represent you free of charge or the government’s public defender will handle your case, also at no charge.

How to choose a lawyer for a lawsuit?

When selecting a lawsuit lawyer, you should first and foremost consider their experience with other cases similar to your own. Also take into consideration their expertise, reputation, and integrity. Maybe most importantly, consider how compassionately they treat their potential clients as well as the opposing side.

What are some examples of lawsuits?

Some examples include: Personal injury law; Employment law; Family law; Business and finance law; Immigration law; Real estate law;

What is a civil attorney?

A civil attorney is most commonly known as a litigator. These lawyers are hired by a client in order to pursue or defend a civil lawsuit in a court of law. Generally speaking, civil attorneys address and solve legal issues encountered by the citizens of society. Such issues typically arise everyday between people in a social or business setting.

What to consider when hiring an attorney?

Something to consider when hiring an attorney is the cost of their services. The cost of your civil attorney will vary depending upon some of the following criteria: The area of law that your claim encompasses; The experience of the attorney you hire; The difficulty of the case; and. The amount of time spent pursuing or defending the lawsuit.

What do you do in a deposition?

Prepare for and conduct depositions to be used as testimonial evidence; Handle all correspondence with the other party’s lawyers as well as the court; File motions, briefs, and other documents with the court; Make a discovery plan and serve discovery requests to the other party;

How is civil law different from criminal law?

Civil law is different from criminal law due to the fact that criminal law involves conduct that breaks criminal laws or statutes somehow. Civil law can also result in heavy fines or other consequences, similar to criminal law. However, the sentences are often far lighter in comparison.

Can you be sued in civil court?

It is possible to be sued and fined in a civil law proceeding, and then sentenced in criminal law, or vice versa. Typically, if a person has already been found guilty in a criminal court of law, it will be easier to sue them and find them liable in a civil law court.

How to find a lawyer for a lawsuit?

Here are a few other sources you can turn to for possible candidates in your search for a lawyer: 1 The director of your state or local chamber of commerce may be a good source of business lawyers. 2 The director of a nonprofit group interested in the subject matter that underlies your lawsuit is sure to know lawyers who work in that area. For example, if your dispute involves trying to stop a major new subdivision, it would make sense to consult an environmental group committed to fighting urban sprawl. 3 A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. 4 A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.

How much does a lawyer charge an hour?

Lawyers, of course, are prime sources of this information, but if you bought all the needed information at their rates -- $150 to $450 an hour -- you'd quickly empty your bank account.

What is Nolo lawyer directory?

Nolo offers a unique lawyer directory that provides a comprehensive profile for each attorney with information that will help you select the right attorney. The profiles tell you about the lawyer's experience, education, and fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer's general philosophy of practicing law.

What is a lawyer referral service?

Lawyer referral services are another source of information. There is a wide variation in the quality of lawyer referral services, however, even though they are required to be approved by the state bar association. Some lawyer referral services carefully screen attorneys and list only those attorneys with particular qualifications and a certain amount of past experience, while other services will list any attorney in good standing with the state bar who maintains liability insurance. Before you choose a lawyer referral service, ask what its qualifications are for including an attorney and how carefully lawyers are screened.

What can a law librarian do?

A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.

Do lawyers work with you?

Fortunately, many lawyers will work with you to help you acquire a good working knowledge of the legal principles and procedures you need to deal with your problem at least partly on your own. If you are hoping to represent yourself and use a lawyer only for advice, make sure the lawyer is open to that type of set-up.

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How to Find The Right Lawyer

Consider A Specialist

  • Most lawyers specialize in certain areas, and even a so-called "general practitioner" may not know that much about the particular area of your concern. For example, of the almost one million lawyers in America today, probably fewer than 50,000 possess sufficient training and experience in small business law to be of real help to an aspiring entrepreneur. It can pay to work with a law
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Interview The Prospective Lawyers

  • When you get the names of several good prospects, the next step is to talk to each personally. If you outline your needs in advance, many lawyers will be willing to meet to you for a half-hour or so at no charge so that you can size them up and make an informed decision.
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Further Resources

  • For more tips on choosing and working with a lawyer, see the eBook The Lawsuit Survival Guide: A Client's Companion to Litigation, by Joseph Matthews (Nolo). Before you meet with a lawyer, you might want to learn some common (and perhaps even not-so-common) legal terms. Get Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary, available as a free iPhone app(also compatible with iPod touch).
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