If you haven't hired an attorney before, you may want to consult FindLaw's Guide to Hiring a Lawyer and Guide to the U.S. Legal System. Do I Need a Lawyer?
At the outset, you should take an honest look at your situation and determine if a legal solution exists. If you’re unsure, it might be worthwhile to take advantage of a free consultation with an attorney who handles that type of matter. Together, you can explore your options carefully before choosing a course of action.
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.
Lawyers.com is an excellent starting point as you look to find a successful resolution to your legal challenge. We make it easy to search for attorneys by location and practice area and offer critical advantages to simplify the process of selecting the correct attorney for you.
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.
Some legal aid offices have their own staff lawyers, and others operate with volunteer lawyers. Note that people do not have a right to a free lawyer in civil legal matters. I have been accused of a crime, and I cannot afford a lawyer.
Lawyers.com is an excellent starting point as you look to find a successful resolution to your legal challenge. We make it easy to search for attorneys by location and practice area and offer critical advantages to simplify the process of selecting the correct attorney for you.
Whatever your particular legal needs might be, it is likely that many attorneys have the education, skill and experience to serve you effectively. However, finding the right fit might require you to review the credentials of several lawyers and examine several different considerations.
Welcome to the FindLaw Lawyer Directory, featuring detailed profiles of attorneys from across the United States. To get started use the search box or click on a city, state, or legal issue. If you haven't hired an attorney before, you may want to consult FindLaw's Guide to Hiring a Lawyer and Guide to the U.S. Legal System.
Don't be intimidated by the thought of hiring a lawyer. Their job is to help you find the best solution to your legal issue. Here are some examples of when it is best to hire a lawyer:
Some of the most common legal practice areas include: Estate planning, such as wills, trusts, and issues involving the elderly. Business law, including business formation, contracts, and business disputes. Intellectual property: trademarks, copyrights and patents. Family law, which includes divorces and adoptions.
Some of the most common legal practice areas include: 1 Estate planning, such as wills, trusts, and issues involving the elderly 2 Business law, including business formation, contracts, and business disputes 3 Intellectual property: trademarks, copyrights and patents 4 Family law, which includes divorces and adoptions 5 Bankruptcy 6 Labor and employment law, or anything related to the relationship between employers and employees 7 Real estate law, including property sales, leases, and disputes
On TV, attorneys are always going to court. But many real attorneys never set foot inside a courtroom. These attorneys, known as “transactional" attorneys, prepare documents, negotiate deals, and help their clients avoid problems. A transactional attorney might draft a contract, prepare a will and trust, set up a business, or review a lease.
A power of attorney lawyer can help you simplify the estate planning process with the following specific tasks: Advising on the powers that should be delegated and included in your power of attorney. Helping chose the agent. Informing the agent of their obligations and responsibilities.
You pay a fixed payment amount. This is usually only offered if a case is very simple, such as simply creating a power of attorney. Your legal fees will depend on the following: Your lawyer's reputation, experience, and abilities. The amount of time your lawyer spends on your case. Your case's complexity.
Knowing who these people are and what they do may help you to be a more informed consumer of legal services and make your lawyer's representation more efficient. Partners: People commonly refer ...
Investigators: Depending on the type of law they practice, some law firms will hire their own investigators who investigate background facts on a case. This is particularly common in criminal or personal injury practices.
He or she is the firm's initial contact with the outside world, and generally answers phones and greets clients at the door . Some receptionists double as paralegals or legal assistants, depending on the nature of the law firm.
Law clerks: Law clerks are ordinarily current law students working at a firm for academic credit, or for a small amount of money. Clerks will do legal research and otherwise assist lawyers in preparing cases and working on other law-related matters. Like associates, firms will bill out clerks at a much lower rate than partners.
Legal assistants: This is a catchall term that is sometimes used by law firms to describe anyone in a law office who assists attorneys in working on legal matters. It may include paralegals, legal secretaries, and other support staff.
Associates: Lawyers who are employed by a firm, but who aren't owners, are usually called "associates.". Associates can be excellent lawyers, but typically have less experience than the partners of the firm. Much of their work will be reviewed by partners, and they may have very little personal contact with clients for their first few years at ...
Although practices vary from firm to firm, associates may have to work for perhaps three to ten years before they are considered for partnership. Given their experience, associates tend ...
Once you find an attorney willing to take a case on a contingency basis, ask questions. Not only is it essential to be confident in the lawyer's expertise, but it's also good practice to inquire about: how the lawyer will approach your case. a fee estimate. the likelihood of success, and. how much the lawyer expects you'll receive in damages.
Typical sorts of cases that lawyers will take on a contingency fee include those involving: personal injuries. employment discrimination. sexual harassment. medical malpractice, and. other lawsuits in which there will likely be a substantial recovery.
If you lose, the attorney receives nothing. This situation works well when you have a winning lawsuit. Many lawyers will agree to accept the case in exchange for a significant portion of your settlement or award—33% to 40% on average.
Keep in mind that it isn't ethical for an attorney to change the fee agreement unilaterally (without your consent). Also, a client should be advised to seek counsel from an independent attorney before agreeing to any changes to be sure that the amendment is in the client's best interests.
Not all lawyers will take contingency cases because they require an attorney to do a significant amount of work without pay—at least for an extended period. Even if it's a winning case, some attorneys aren't financially set up to take on such matters.