questions to ask when looking for a lawyer

What are good questions to ask an attorney?

Apr 09, 2015 · Here are some basic questions you should ask potential counsel before choosing legal representation. Experience Ask about the lawyer's practice and familiarity with cases like yours. One: Have you handled this type of case? This …

What should I ask before hiring an attorney?

Jul 08, 2015 · Here are several questions you should ask yourself: When meeting with a potential estate planning lawyer, how comfortable do you feel? Does your advisor communicate well and clearly? Do you agree...

What questions do lawyers ask their clients?

Nov 20, 2014 · Below are the 12 questions you should ask: 1. Is my company ready to sell? Before you fully engage with a lawyer, you must be sure your company is even ready for sale. Josh Lawler of Zuber, Lawler & Del Duca explained, “If you are selling a company, you will need to present every aspect of the company for all would-be buyers to evaluate. There are many …

How do I Ask an attorney a question?

File security and access References and reviews Delegation of responsibility Cost of divorce Reasonable expectations Your living arrangements Temporary orders Child custody and parenting time Spousal support Child support Attorney's fees requests Divorce process Community and separate property Contested versus uncontested issues Settlement Billing

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...•Apr 13, 2018

What are some good questions to 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

What should you consider when hiring a lawyer?

Things to Consider When Hiring a LawyerThe Firm/Lawyer's Specialty in the Areas of Law You Need.Years of Experience & Success.The Firm's Resources at Your Disposal.The Lawyers Communication with You to Make Sure You Know Whats Going On, and.Comfort Level when Speaking with the Lawyer and the Firm's Team.

What questions should I ask in an attorney interview?

Litigation-related questions to ask a lawyer in an interview include:How many court and jury trials have you done and what is your win percentage? ... What is the chance that I receive a favorable outcome? ... What are the risks if the case does fail? ... What are the odds of a settlement? ... How long should I expect this to take?

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ... Be presentable and dress your best. ... Come prepared to ask questions. ... Be personable and show enthusiasm. ... Be genuine. ... Promptly send a thank-you note.Oct 28, 2020

What do most lawyers charge for a contingency fee?

What is the Standard Contingency Fee for an Attorney? The standard contingency fee for an attorney is a percentage amount rather than a fixed amount. Most personal injury lawyers charge 33 1/3 percent if the case settles without filing a lawsuit and 40% if a lawsuit is filed. Most employment lawyers charge a 40% fee.Jan 23, 2018

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 additional things should you find out about when hiring a lawyer?

If you are considering hiring an attorney, here are five things to keep in mind.Look for an attorney that specializes in the type of legal issue you are facing. ... Look for an attorney that practices law where you live or in the area where your legal issue is taking place. ... Consider the experience of the attorney.More items...

What are some of the more important criteria to consider when selecting an attorney for a new firm?

7 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Business AttorneyAchievements and Credentials. ... Determine Which Type of Attorney You Need. ... Look for an Attorney that Specializes in Your Niche. ... Choose an Appropriately Sized Firm. ... Additional Social Perks and Skills. ... Fee Structure and Billing. ... Friendliness and Support Quality.Apr 6, 2019

What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?

7 good questions to ask at an interviewCan you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role? ... How could I impress you in the first three months? ... Are there opportunities for training and progression within the role/company? ... Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?More items...

What is a good interview question to ask?

15 Questions for an Interview What do you know about our company, and why do you want to work here? What skills and strengths can you bring to this position? Can you tell me about your current job? What could your current company do to be more successful?Feb 10, 2022

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...

What is an attorney who can answer this question well?

An attorney who can answer this question well is an attorney who is attuned not only to the legal challenges at hand, but also to the way clients think about them. They’ve also likely worked with clients like you. They’ll be able to provide context upfront that answers your questions before you find yourself confused by a complex legal issue or legal language.

How many bills has Jerry Brown signed?

California Gov. Jerry Brown recently completed acting on the 1,217 bills that came across his desk this year. He has signed 1,016 of them into law, with the majority taking effect...

Do attorneys quote hourly fees?

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 does not cover. For instance, will you also be responsible for reimbursing the attorney for expenses, such as transportation?

Can an attorney give an estimate of how long each phase of a project will take?

Although unexpected challenges sometimes arise and cause deadlines to be pushed back, attorneys should be able to give an estimate of how long each phase of the project will take. Make sure that these estimates seem reasonable and fit with the timeline that you have in mind.

Is it difficult to get a complete picture of someone's personality?

No matter who you’re interviewing, it’s difficult to gain a complete picture of someone’s capabilities and personality over the course of an interview. This difficulty is compounded when you’re someone without a legal background who’s interviewing an attorney.

Do attorneys have conflicts of interest?

Attorneys are responsible for divulging any potential conflicts of interest, even if they are never directly asked a question about them. However, it’s usually not a bad idea to inquire about them yourself.

Why is it important to have an attorney on staff?

They may also have one on their staff. This is helpful because it means the attorney’s office controls the closing process. There is no need to coordinate with any other office, and this can simplify and speed the closing process. It might also lessen the expenses based on communications.

Why is experience important in real estate?

In real estate law cases, the experience of the attorney or law firm is important. More complicated real estate matters suggest having a more experienced legal presence. You may have to pay more for experience, but the value of your investment in such cases probably warrants the higher expense. The potential financial loss in larger real estate ...

Why are references important?

References are important, too. You want to know if the attorney has done a good job for other clients. You want to be given a list of references who are available for you to contact whether you call them all or not. The attorney should be confident and successful enough to provide you with a list of satisfied clients who want to speak well of them.

Do I need to be certified to be an attorney?

If the attorney is recommended by a referral service, he or she will no doubt be certified. If you find an attorney be some other method, you want to make sure the attorney is licensed in the state in which the property is located, not just the state where you live, invest, or are incorporated.

Is real estate a unique deal?

Every real estate deal is unique with its own set of circumstances and potential problems. Your case is no different. It is wise to find an attorney who is familiar with those types of problems and who knows how to prevent them from happening.

Can an attorney handle unexpected issues?

Unknown and/or unexpected issues can arise at any time during real estate transactions. You should feel that your attorney can handle whatever comes up. You should ask the attorney what kinds of problems might occur during the transaction.

Do I need a real estate attorney?

If you are considering buying or selling real estate, you may want to have a qualified real estate attorney represent you to make sure there are no legal complications that would interfere with the closing process or any transactions involving you and the other party. An investment in real estate is a large commitment, and you want to make sure you have the best protection possible to prevent any serious complications.

How to build an estate plan?

When building an estate plan, you may have a variety of concerns, including the following: 1 Maintaining an orderly administration of assets while you are living 2 Managing estate assets flexibly while you are living 3 Reviewing estates involving tenants in common or community property 4 Considering assets in multiple states 5 Examining small business assets 6 Naming your children’s legal guardian 7 Ensuring that your heirs and loved ones receive your assets 8 Helping to reduce or avoid conflicts and confusion 9 Minimizing legal expenses and taxes 10 Assessing wealth preservation

Why is it important to have an estate plan?

It's important to have a solid estate plan in place to ensure that your loved ones receive your assets without a hassle or undue delay after your death. There are many questions you should ask prospective estate-planning attorneys before hiring one to craft your estate plan. Above all, make sure you hire an attorney who demonstrates ...

Can a lawyer draw up a will?

Although any lawyer can draw up a simple will for straightforward situations, such as naming the beneficiary of one's 401 (k), seasoned trust-and-estate lawyers can help navigate more complicated situations involving several trusts and multiple heirs. 1:21.

What is the importance of emotions?

“Having your emotions under control is critical,” said Chip Mulaney, a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in an article in Chicago Lawyer. “Emotions cloud people’s ability to compromise, to see that a lot of issues aren’t personal but simply economic. You have to keep people focused on their common interests. To do that, you can never lose your head.”

Do not hire the C team if they pitch you the A team?

Lawler also explained in an article, “Don’t hire the ‘C’ team if they pitched you the ‘A’ team. This is a particular problem for the middle market business. Most of the larger law firms are built with a pyramid structure involving few partners at the top and lots of junior associates at the bottom. The bigger the firm, the bigger the fees generated by the transaction need to be in order to keep the attention of that top partner that you spoke to in the pitch meeting. Although the junior to mid-level associate who may lead your deal is very ‘smart,’ there is no substitute for experience. Your transaction may not go as smoothly as you hoped, and your fees may ultimately be significantly higher.”

Is it bad to spend thousands of dollars on a deal that should never have been attempted?

As Lawler explained, “nothing (outside of litigation) is worse than spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a deal that should never have been attempted. Sometimes, the biggest value add from the timely engagement of the right lawyer is identification of deal killing issues before a client becomes committed to an ill fated transaction. A good lawyer will be very clear about whether an issue will not be able to be resolved. Your lawyer should be a problem solver, but not a ‘yes man.’”

What can a divorce attorney do for you?

An experienced and knowledgeable divorce attorney will provide you with the tools to communicate better with your spouse. These tools include how to communicate with your spouse, when to communicate with your spouse and how to diffuse conflict.

How to plan your life after a divorce?

If you want to plan your life after a divorce, you should at least have a general idea of how long divorces similar to yours take. This planning will also help you prepare a budget for the cost of divorce. The attorney should truthfully tell you there is no way to predict exactly how long a divorce will take.

What is spousal support?

Spousal support, also called alimony, is either temporary or ordered at the final judgment. Most divorce cases include both temporary spousal support and spousal support at the judgment phase. We are not going to go into a lengthy discussion about spousal support.