questins about how to find a lawyer

1. Are you a generalist or a specialist? – Since the legal field covers a broad swath of industries and subject matters, it’s exceedingly rare to find a lawyer who’s ...
2. How long have you practiced law? – This is a critical question to ask a lawyer because it takes years of time and practice for a lawyer to become ...
3. Do you have previous experience handling a case, project, or a company such as mine? – It’s not just the amount of experience that matters, but the relevant experience. ...
4. How do you negotiate? – How your lawyer approaches dispute resolutions, negotiations, or contracts matters deeply. Since contracts are the lifeblood of the business world, they demand a facilitator. ...
What is your fee structure and billing process? – The costs involved will depend heavily upon the particulars of your case. ...
Who else in the firm would work on my case? – There are typically several others involved in handling your case, including other lawyers, junior attorneys, and paralegals. ...
How long should I expect to retain your services? – Similar to billing, it’s important to make queries as to the estimated timeframe of legal actions. ...

How to find an excellent lawyer?

How to Find an Excellent Lawyer

• Conducting a Background Check. Before hiring any attorney, contact the attorney disciplinary organization in your state to verify that they’re in precise standing as a member of the bar.
• Touring the Lawyer’s Office. ...
• Consider a Specialist. ...
• Interview the Prospective Lawyers. ...
• Personality. ...

How to choose the right lawyer?

• Ask for Recommendations. If any of your friends or family have required the services of a criminal defense attorney and had great success with who they chose, ask them for ...
• Check Out Websites. ...
• Read Reviews. ...
• Find Testimonials. ...
• Look at Results. ...
• Ask Questions. ...

How to find the right lawyer for your needs?

• What is your education and how long have you been practicing?
• How many cases like mine have you handled in the past?
• Who else from your firm will be involved in my legal matter and how much of my personal time should I expect to spend on it?
• What are the chances of successfully or unsuccessfully resolving my matter?

How to check out lawyers?

These are some of the potential structures:

• Contingency fee
• Hourly fee
• Flat fee
• Retainer

What are some questions you should 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...•

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?More items...•

How do I ask a lawyer a question?

Put the attorney to the test, starting with this question….How Long Have You Practiced Law? ... What Types of Cases Do You Manage? ... Who's Your Typical Client? ... How Many Similar Cases Have You Taken On? ... What Kind of Special Training or Knowledge You Have Outside Your Law Degree? ... What Are Your Fees and Costs?More items...

What are four things that you should find out about in looking for an attorney?

Five Things to Look For When Hiring an AttorneyEXPERIENCE. One of the most important things to look for in a potential attorney is experience – i.e. experience the lawyer and their law firm have in handling matters similar to those which you are facing. ... LEGAL FEES. ... COMMUNICATION. ... AVAILABILITY. ... HONEST ADVICE.

What is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?

12 Tough Questions to Ask a LawyerWhat's your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?More items...•

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'.

How do you approach a lawyer?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•

Is there a website to ask lawyers questions?

ABA Free Legal Answers is a website on which you can submit your questions about civil (non-criminal) legal issues and receive answers from pro bono lawyers in your state.

What does a lawyer do?

Advise and represent clients in courts, before government agencies, and in private legal matters. Communicate with their clients, colleagues, judges, and others involved in the case. Conduct research and analysis of legal problems. Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses.

How do I choose a law firm to represent me?

10 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Law Firm To Represent YouExperience with your case type. ... Expertise in your local area. ... Advocacy style. ... Fee schedules. ... Employment history. ... Diversity. ... Reputation. ... Communication.More items...•

What questions should I ask in a legal interview?

Are you willing to make sacrifices for this company?What role do you tend to play in a team?Describe your ability to work under pressure.If you were hiring a manager for this job, what would you look for?Do you have any questions for me?Tell me a little about yourself.What area of law most interests you.

What should I look for when hiring a law firm?

Among the questions you should ask are: (1) how many similar matters has the attorney handled; (2) what happened in those cases; (3) how will this case be handled; (4) based on experience, what can be expected; (5) which lawyer in the firm will be working on the matter; (6) will there be any limitations on the scope of ...

What to ask a lawyer about his or her career?

It's also a good idea to ask the lawyer about his or her legal career. It's good to know how many years the attorney has practiced law, and what type of cases the attorney generally handles. It would also be helpful to know who the lawyer's typical client is. For example, if a lawyer usually works with businesses and you're an individual, ...

What are the requirements to become a lawyer?

The first two steps to becoming a lawyer are earning a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) and taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Then, the person must attend and graduate from law school. There are some states that have legal ...

Why is it important to interview a lawyer?

Interviewing a Lawyer. It's important to interview the lawyer you want to hire to help you with your legal matter.

What is the purpose of the law test?

The test involves multiple choice questions and essays on various areas of law meant to test a person's understanding of the law and capacity for logical thought. In addition to the requirements mentioned above, a person must also pass a moral character and fitness test.

Why is it important to know what you will be billed for and what payment options the lawyer provides?

This is an important question because it will allow you to determine if you can afford the lawyer' s services. It's also a good idea to ask the lawyer about his or her legal career. It's good to know how many years the attorney has practiced law, ...

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.

Do legal aid offices have their own lawyers?

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.

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.

Tap Your Network

Ask around among your family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances to see if they know of any attorneys they could recommend. Personal references can be some of the most reliable references you will find.

Do Some Research

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.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer

Now that you have some attorney options, it’s time to choose. To get you started, here’s a list of questions to ask an attorney before hiring them:

More Considerations When Hiring a Lawyer

One way to get a feel for an attorney’s practice is to be observant when you go for your first consultation.

What is my next step?

This is a common scam on the Internet. There is no girl, there is no mother or father or detective -- only Internet fraudsters. Do NOT send them any money. They are trying to blackmail you, and you are the victim here - not some young girl who does not exist. Block them and do not communicate with them in the future.

Am i able to naturalize or will i need to wait for a visa?

More information is needed. What about your U. S. citizen grandparents? Do you have any U.S. citizen grandparents on your mother's side? This requirement is a bit more complicated than the residence stratus of your mom after age fourteen.

Legal malpractice atty required

I am very limited in what I can say here, an Attorney owes an absolute duty of loyalty to the client's interest. It follows that any disparaging comments about you would be a disturbing violation of that duty and the trust you put in the attorney.

Can my Filipino girlfriend come here to visit?

I agree with Mr. Black. It is her vaccination status, not your's, that is an issue. The law governing non-immigrant visa issuance requires a consular official to presume immigrant intent. Your girlfriend may be required to overcome that presumption in order to secure a non-immigrant B2 visitor visa.

I want to being my mother in law to us

A US citizen cannot sponsor his or her mother-in-law for a green card. Your mother-in-law can apply for a visitor visa at the US consulate in Mexico if she wants to travel here to visit her grandkids.

To appeal aN-600 that was filed in 2005,,,,

Well, you should have filed another N-600 sooner, but you may need help from a competent and experienced immigration attorney. It is unclear whether the USCIS will honor the Court order, even if it 'seems to be' obligated to do so.

Can b1,b2 visa holder apply asylum and if yes how much would attorney cost

The issue is whether it is within one year of your entry into the U.S. Also, what are the facts and how much evidence exists to prove a "well founded fear" of persecution on account of one of the reasons allowed as a matter of law.

What is legal aid?

If you need a lawyer but cannot afford one, you can contact your local legal aid office, an organization that provides free or pro bono legal assistance to low-income individuals in non-criminal matters.

Can a lawyer recommend other lawyers?

Lawyers can often recommend other lawyers in the legal community who can assist you with your specific needs. Legal circles are small and most lawyer s will know several other lawyers who specialize in the practice area for which you seek advice.

Do lawyers get referral fees?

Lawyers are also aware of other lawyer’s reputations in a particular practice field. Keep in mind, however, that lawyers often receive referral fees when they refer a case to another lawyer which may influence their decision as to whom they recommend.

Does the American Bar Association have a referral database?

Most county and city bar associations offer lawyer referral services to the public although they do not necessarily screen for qualifications. The American Bar Association also maintains a database which offers assistance to consumers seeking legal help.

Can you please name a Supreme Court case that impacts your practice of law on a daily basis?

The purpose of this question is not necessarily to test the substance of the answer but more the fact that the candidate has an answer. This is indicative of the fact that they are informed and see the larger picture. So much of what a lawyer does relies on having strong background knowledge of the law.

Can you give an example of where you have chosen to involve yourself in the broader legal community?

Lawyers that network and do the “extra-curricular” activities are generally better informed about recent developments than other attorneys. In addition, networking helps a lawyer build a reputation in the legal sector. Attorneys who have better connections with other attorneys benefit from getting referrals of business from those other attorneys.

How do you handle a disagreement with a superior over a legal matter?

Disagreements happen in the practice of law. Two attorneys can reach different opinions about an issue and both can be correct. It is even more difficult when one of the attorneys works for the other. Part of being a successful lawyer is learning how to make one’s voice heard without being overbearing.

Can you elaborate on a situation where you were unsuccessful and how you handled it?

You should get a sense of how the lawyer handles adversity because there is quite a bit of it in the legal profession. A good lawyer will learn from failure and make the necessary adjustments so it does not happen again in the future. Every lawyer will experience failure at some point.