question to ask when you hire a lawyer

1. What experience do you have handling projects and companies like mine? ...
2. Are there any conflicts of interest that I should be aware of? ...
3. What strategy do you have in mind? This one is straightforward. ...
4. What will this cost me? While most attorneys will quote you an hourly rate or a fixed fee upfront, it’s important that you understand what this quote does and ...
5. How much time will this take? Subscribe to the UpCounsel Blog Although unexpected challenges sometimes arise and cause deadlines to be pushed back, attorneys should be able to give ...
6. What mode of communication do you prefer? Clear, timely communication between attorneys and clients is essential, and it’s important to hire an attorney whose communication style is compatible with ...
How do you envision our professional relationship? If you’re searching for an attorney with who can serve as a trusted advisor in the long term whereas the attorney is ...
What’s a challenge that you’ve faced when working with a client and how did you resolve it? If this question sounds familiar, that’s probably because it is. ...
What about this legal area usually confuses your clients the most? ...
When was the last time you said “no” to a client? ...
Who is your favorite fictional lawyer? This question may be unorthodox, but an attorney’s answer is actually a great indicator of how they see themselves and their role. ...
Is it more important to maximize revenue or minimize risk?

What should I ask before hiring an attorney?

• medical malpractice
• car accidents
• animal bites
• slip and fall
• products liability
• defamation, and
• assault and battery

What are good questions to ask an attorney?

Ask the lawyer A number of questions arise: Can you show the tenant’s demand ... Do you know the expression “no good deed goes unpunished”? Bottom line: Consultation with counsel here also is advisable. Is the tenant’s conduct a breach of the ...

What questions does an attorney ask?

To make this list:

• Ask friends and colleagues for referrals
• Poke around online lawyer directories to read profiles of lawyers in your area, and
• Read online reviews.

What questions do lawyers ask their clients?

Some relevant questions to ask include:

• Do you have time to represent me?
• Are there other criminal defense attorneys in your office who will work on my case? May I meet them?
• When I have questions, whom should I call? How do you prefer to be contacted? How quickly should I expect a reply?

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 you should know before you talk to a lawyer?

10 Things You Should Know Before Contacting a LawyerHave Your Documents Ready. ... Research the Elements of Your Case. ... Don't Call if You Just Have a Question. ... You May Not Speak to a Lawyer Right Away. ... Do Not Ask the Legal Support Staff for Advice. ... Don't Provide Too Much Information. ... Answer the Lawyer's Specific Questions.More items...•

What are two questions one should ask of their attorney?

Ask the attorney what experience they have had in similar matters....You should be aware of what will be involved going into the representation.What Communication Will You Have With Me? ... What Will I Be Required To Do? ... What Is This Going To Cost Me? ... How Long Will It Take To Resolve The Matter?

What questions should I ask in a legal interview?

21 Questions to Ask During a Legal Job InterviewHow did you become interested in X practice area/subject matter?Did you focus on X while you attended law school? ... Why did you choose this firm/organization over others?What do you like most about this firm/practice group/organization?More items...•

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 I prepare for my first meeting with a lawyer?

Tips For Meeting With Your Lawyer For the First TimeDress To Impress. ... Be Ready To Give Your Attorney Important Information About Yourself. ... Gather Your Evidence And Have It Ready For Your First Meeting. ... Get Your Facts Straight. ... Plan Something You Can Look Forward To For After Your Meeting.

What do you say when talking to 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...•

What do you expect from a lawyer?

Your Lawyer Should be Ethical represent their clients with undivided loyalty. keep their clients' confidences. represent their clients within the bounds of the law, and.

How can you find a good 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 questions should I ask an associate at a law firm?

Integration Into Associate Life How do new associates select their practice areas? Does an associate have a choice over his/her practice area, or is it assigned based on firm needs? What kind of training is offered to junior associates, and how is it scheduled throughout the first year or two?

What questions should I ask a legal recruiter?

10 questions to ask a recruiter (and 1 to avoid)“What are the three main qualifications the recruiter's client (the employer) is looking for?” ... “What's the job description?” ... “Are you working with this employer exclusively?” ... “How long has the job been open?” ... “Why has the job been open a long time?”More items...•

What questions should I ask at the end of an interview?

20 smart questions to ask at the end of your next job interviewWhat do you personally like most about working for this organisation? ... What do you find most challenging about working for this organisation? ... How would you describe your organisation's culture? ... Can you tell me about the kind of supervision you provide?More items...

Is it important to know the financial background of a lawyer?

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. This is because there may be different issues a lawyer is used to factoring when working with high net-worth individuals vs. college students.

Is it important to have an aggressive attorney for divorce?

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. Similarly, if you're looking for an aggressive attorney to handle an upcoming corporate merger, for example, you'll want someone who isn't afraid to push the envelope, so to speak.

Why do people ask specific questions?

Most people who need a service ask specific questions to help them make a good decision, and this same approach should also be taken by someone who’s in need of legal services.

What happens in the last option of a trial?

In the last option, the lawyer will be awarded a portion of the money won in a successful trial.

What to consider when choosing an attorney?

Consider who your attorney has worked with most often. Are their clients typically corporations or individuals? These unique experiences could influence how they approach and handle your case.

Can you ask a lawyer how many cases similar to yours?

C) In relation to the previous sub-questions, it’s okay to ask the lawyer how many cases similar to yours they’ve won. Remember: this is a “job interview” for the attorney. It’s similar to an employer asking you how about previous successes that are relevant to the role for which you’re applying.

Is it beneficial to have a lawyer practice in the same courthouse?

It may be beneficial for your lawyer to have practiced in the same courthouse where your case will be . They will have had interacted with and experiences its judge and can, therefore, evaluate the expectations for your case.

Creating great questions for hiring lawyers

When creating questions for lawyer candidates, you should focus on the following criteria:

Example questions to interview a lawyer

Here are a few questions you should ask a lawyer candidate and why they are important:

Hiring a lawyer FAQ

Here is an answer to one of the most common questions about hiring a lawyer:

How much does a lawyer charge per hour?

What a lawyer can tell you is their hourly rate, which varies from around $100 an hour to $400 an hour or more depending on where you live. Expect to pay top dollar for an experienced metropolitan lawyer with expertise in specialized areas.

What to do if your lawyer doesn't offer a contract?

If your lawyer doesn’t offer you a contract, ask for one. This should clearly state what they will be doing for you, what they charge (be it an hourly rate or a flat rate), how they bill (monthly invoices, etc.) and when they will have your project completed.

How much does it cost to get divorced?

Taking legal action can be pricey. According to a 2017 survey by Bankrate, the average cost of getting divorced in the U.S. is $15,000 per person. So you should definitely ask a lawyer what the total cost may be. Bear in mind that you’re likely to get a number that’s simply an estimate.

What expenses are not included in a flat fee?

If you do agree on a flat-rate fee, be sure your lawyer clarifies upfront what expenses are not included in the fee, such as overnight delivery charges, travel expenses or fees paid to governmental agencies.

What does an attorney know?

An experienced attorney knows the ins and outs of the law process and specific areas of law — and will also have knowledge of local court systems, resources and connections.

Why do people want legal action?

Many people push for legal action because they don’t think they can resolve their matter without going to court, but it’s often possible to achieve the best outcome without the help of a judge or jury. Arbitration, mediation and good old negotiation are all alternatives to formal court proceedings.

Do you want a lawyer who dabbles in your practice area?

You don’t want a lawyer who dabbles in your practice area, or one who is unfamiliar with the issues, procedures and necessary contacts in the legal system to help bring your case to a satisfactory conclusion.

How to know if a lawyer is good?

An easy way to determine whether the lawyer is good or not is through the reviews of the former clients. You can check the reviews of clients online and see their ratings. A good lawyer will have positive reviews and a good rating along with zero disciplinary records.

What to ask a lawyer about employment?

One of the first questions you need to ask the lawyer is whether they have specialized in employment law or not. There are numerous law firms claiming to take employment cases; however, their main practice area is personal injury, or family law or commercial litigation. It is important that the lawyer has a specialization in employment law. This is because they will be well-educated and familiar with all the ins and outs of the case. It enables them to deliver the best results.

What does a lawyer learn from failure?

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 . The key question is whether the lawyer can deal with it and bounce back in the future. What to look for in an answer:

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. You will want to see how the candidate handles conflict, especially with someone for whom they work. What to look for in an answer:

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. When an attorney has a leadership position in a legal organization, they command more respect in their profession. What to look for in an answer:

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. A strong applicant will have legal principles on the tip of their tongue. What to look for in an answer:

How to know if an attorney is a good fit for a case?

Asking an attorney who their average client is can help you assess a number of factors. Firstly, asking who an attorney’s average client is can help you tell whether the scale of their practice is suited for your case. For example, if an attorney’s average client is a larger corporation, and your case is a dog bite case, that attorney might not be the best fit. Attorneys with large corporations as their main clients may be focused on handling clients with bigger budgets and specialized problems in corporate law, making them not an ideal choice to handle a dog bite case.

What is a flat fee attorney?

Flat fee – If an attorney offers a flat fee, make sure to ask whether certain services are or are not covered by the flat fee. Retainer fee – This is an advanced payment system based on an attorney’s hourly rate. You put the retainer in an account, then your lawyer deducts fees as he progresses through your case.

What is statutory fee?

Statutory fee – Depending on the legal work, some forms have a legally set fee called a statutory fee. Ask whether your attorney works on a contingency fee basis, what payment options are available, and how often you will be billed.

What to do when hiring an attorney for personal injury?

When you hire an attorney to handle your personal injury case, you’re not just employing someone to sort through the paperwork and explain the “legalese.”. You’re choosing someone to partner with, someone who will best represent your story, someone to win your case. So, considering all an attorney’s credentials, experience, ...

What is a good attorney?

A good attorney will know whether there are alternatives to solving your case, such as an out-of-court agreement or arbitration. Make sure to ask your attorney about which options are available for resolving your case and an estimated timeline for it to be resolved.

Is it scary to interview an attorney?

We understand that the process of interviewing an attorney can be intimidating, even scary, at times. However, at the end of the process, we hope you feel reassured knowing you have the attorney best suited for your case on your side.

Do college students need an attorney?

Or, if your lawyer’s clients work on behalf of high-income individuals, and you are a college student, you may want to consult with an attorney that fits your stage of life and budget. The more connections you can have with an attorney, the better. You will be working with this attorney for a period of time, so having one that matches your needs is important!

What is the point of consultation?

Consultations with a lawyer are an important stage of the process: you’re meeting up with an attorney for the first time on a case that could have a significant impact on you and your loved ones. You’ll want to make sure you’re dealing with a true professional. If not, you move on. That’s the point of the consultation.

What are the two types of clients?

Before you wonder why this one’s asked when it sounds so much like the previous one, know this: there are two different types of clients…. Business and individual. If you’re just an individual looking for representation, you’re going to want a lawyer that works specifically with individuals and not businesses.

Do all lawyers charge the same percentage of your winnings?

In many areas of law, all lawyers will charge a similar percentage of your winnings for their attorney fees. That said, why not go with someone who has experience with your specific type of case?

Can you arrange things out of court without an attorney?

In the legal industry, there a variety of processes moving forward. Sometimes an arbitrator would be suitable. You can arrange things out of court without the need for an attorney, too. And the reason for asking is that you might have considerably less cost to worry about. 9.