what questions to ask a lawyer before hiring

What are the best questions to ask a lawyer?

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?

As a result, you should ask your lawyer how he or she will respond to your ongoing needs, how quickly he or she can return calls, and whether the attorney has someone on hand in the office to answer quick questions should they come up and you need to get a quick answer.

What questions should I Ask an attorney?

What questions does an attorney ask?

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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?

5 Top Things to Consider When Hiring a LawyerSpecialization. The first thing you should consider when hiring an attorney is his or her area of specialization. ... Experience. Check the track record of the attorney before you hire. ... Location. ... Specifics about Billing and Representations. ... Ability To Convince You.Nov 5, 2020

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...•Mar 12, 2018

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

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

Does your lawyer have to be local?

Not exactly. Each state regulates the practice of law. Generally, only attorneys licensed in a particular state can practice law there.Mar 4, 2020

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 you should not say in an interview?

30 Things You Should Never Say in a Job Interview“So, Tell Me What You Do Around Here” Rule #1 of interviewing: Do your research. ... “Ugh, My Last Company…” ... “I Didn't Get Along With My Boss” ... 4. “ ... “I'll Do Whatever” ... “I Know I Don't Have Much Experience, But...” ... “It's on My Resume” ... “Yes!More items...

What is hourly billing?

And, of course, the most common type of billing arrangement is hourly billing, in which an attorney bills for his own time and the time of his paralegals, at a certain rate per hour, meaning you pay for exactly the amount of work you get.

What is contingency fee?

Contingency fees are common in cases like personal injury, medical malpractice, and other cases with very large potential judgments that make it financially reasonable for the attorney to take a portion of the recovery instead of charging hourly rates. And, of course, the most common type of billing arrangement is hourly billing, ...

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.

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.

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.

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.