what questions should you ask before hiring a lawyer

^{Ten Questions to Ask Your Potential 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. ...
2. What type of cases do you generally handle? What percentage of your practice is devoted to (the practice area in question)? ...
3. Who is your typical client? This is an important, but often-overlooked question. ...
4. How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine? Now is not the time to act shy. ...
5. Other than a law degree, what kind of special training or knowledge do you have that might apply in my situation? ...
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? ...
What is your approach or philosophy to winning or representing a case? This can be important in two ways. ...
Are there others ways for solving my legal problem? Go ahead. ...
How will you let me know what's happening with my case? Communication is key when working with a lawyer. ...
What is the likely outcome in my case?

What should I ask before hiring an attorney?

• medical malpractice
• car accidents
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• 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 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...•

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

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 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 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.

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 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...•

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 you first call a lawyer?

0:041:20What To Say When You Call An Attorney - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKnow kind of ballpark.MoreKnow kind of ballpark.

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 I know if my lawyer is good?

So if you're curious, use these five quick ways to research whether your lawyer is legit:State Bar Profile. Every lawyer who is licensed to practice law in your home state must be listed in your state bar association's directory. ... Google / Search Engines. ... Yelp. ... The Attorney's Own Website. ... Third-Party Rating Groups.

Should you tell your lawyer everything?

It's almost always advisable to tell your lawyer the whole truth about your case, even if you've committed a crime. Giving your lawyer all the facts helps them craft the best defense by raising reasonable doubt. Even when a client admits guilt, there are usually many mitigating circumstances that can come into play.

How do you negotiate with a lawyer?

How to Negotiate With an AttorneyResearch First. Start by getting a basic understanding of the different ways that lawyers can charge you. ... Consider a Flat Fee. ... Consider an Hourly Fee. ... Consider a Contingency Fee. ... Ask for Fees in Writing. ... Cut the Extras. ... Look Outside Your Area. ... Explore Your Options and Find a Cheaper Attorney.More items...•

What should a lawyer review with their clients before trial?

Every lawyer should review with their clients the possibility of a negotiated resolution prior to trial. In criminal matters, for example, you may be able to get a good plea bargain. In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation, a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party.

Why is it important to choose the right lawyer?

Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision—whether you were in a car accident, have a medical malpractice claim, or find yourself the target of a criminal investigation. Referrals from friends or co-workers can be great, but you need to do your homework to make sure you have the right attorney for the job.

How can a lawyer save you money?

Your lawyer can often save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a lower hourly rate. However, your lawyer should be involved in all key aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well.

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

How to discuss case strategy?

In discussing case strategy, your lawyer should give you an estimate of how much time it will take to get to a resolution. Keep in mind that your lawyer does not control the pace of the process and cannot make any promises about when it will be over.

What is a conflict in a lawyer?

If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly represents, there would be a conflict. A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by ...

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

Why are lawyers so bad at responding?

Generally, lawyers who are bad at responding in a timely fashion are this way because they lack adequate support staff. Many try to wear every hat in their office, from drafting pleadings, meeting with clients, and going to court, to making copies, stuffing envelopes, and answering phones.

Can a lawyer represent you?

Your lawyer cannot be effective representing you or other clients if he or she is taking every call that comes through to him or her everyday. As a result, if you need to speak with your attorney, you should be prepared to schedule an appointment for a phone call when you are both ready and available.

Do attorneys charge for initial consultation?

Indeed, some attorneys will charge you for the initial consultation, so you should know that before you go in to get information and come out with a bill in hand.

Do people hire attorneys?

Most people do not hire attorneys everyday. This may leave them at a bit of a disadvantage in knowing what they should find out from an attorney before hiring them.

What to Look for When Hiring an Attorney

Hiring a criminal defense lawyer is a significant undertaking. There are nearly 1.4 million active attorneys in the United States: how can you be sure that you're choosing the right one for your case?

1. Do You Have the Right Experience?

One of the most important factors affecting how likely you are to win your case is the experience of your lawyer. For instance, if you are facing drug charges, you don't want to have a lawyer who is only experienced in DUI cases. You need to know if they in misdemeanor or felony cases or both.

2. Are You a Good Communicator?

Laws can be very difficult for laypeople to understand at the best of times. If you're stressed about the case, understanding the ins and outs of legal details can be even more difficult. A lawyer with great communication skills can help reassure you and help you understand more about your case and charges.

3. How Do Previous Clients Feel About You?

You can tell a lot about a lawyer by what their previous clients think of them. You should check out Google reviews of the lawyer in question to see what they have to say. A good attorney-client relationship will give you confidence that you can trust the attorney.

4. What Is Your Fee?

Hiring a lawyer can be expensive. When hiring a lawyer you need to consider the budget that you're willing to spend and look at attorney fees with a critical eye.

5. Do You Guarantee a Result?

No matter how good a lawyer is, they can't guarantee that the trial will go your way. They aren't clairvoyant and no matter how hard they fight, you still might still lose or get found guilty.

Finding the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer

Looking for a criminal defense lawyer can be difficult and time-consuming. You want to hire a criminal defense attorney that will fight for you. If you've found our article illuminating then we'd be happy to show you more of what we can do.

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.

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 does asking an attorney's average client tell you?

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.

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.

Is going to court the best option?

When it comes to solving a legal problem, going to court is not always the first or best option. A good attorney will know whether there are alternatives to solving your case, such as an out-of-court agreement or arbitration.

Do you pay for an attorney's services until you win a mass tort case?

Many times in mass tort cases you will pay nothing for an attorney’s services until they win or settle your case. This is called working on a contingency fee basis. If you win your case, then cost of your attorney’s services will come out of the amount awarded to you in your case.