what should i ask a lawyer before hiring

6 Questions To Ask Before You Hire A Lawyer

1. What’s Your Experience? An experienced attorney knows the ins and outs of the law process and specific areas of law —...
2. What Percentage Of Your Practice Is Dedicated To This Area Of Law? You don’t want a lawyer who dabbles in your...
3. What Will This Cost? Taking legal action can be pricey. According to a 2017 survey by...

Full Answer

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 are good questions to ask an attorney?

Apr 09, 2015 · 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.

What questions does an attorney ask?

Sep 01, 1997 · I strongly encourage people to call several lawyers before deciding on the lawyer they will hire. Some questions to ask the prospective lawyer are: 1. How long has the lawyer been in practice and if the lawyer specializes in a particular area of law, how long has the lawyer been practicing in that area? 2.

What questions do lawyers ask their clients?

A lawyer can help you understand the intricacies of legal business requirements and defend you against any lawsuits. However, before you choose a lawyer, you should conduct an interview. Below are a few tips for hiring lawyers, including the areas you should focus on and the types of tactics you should use. Quick Navigation:

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

What should you consider when hiring a lawyer?

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

What questions should I ask in an attorney interview?

What are the benefits of having a lawyer?

What is the retainer fee?

What lawyers should not tell?

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

How do I talk to my lawyer for the first time?

What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?

Why should we hire you example?

What can I say are my weaknesses in an interview?

Can a conflict arise when interviewing a lawyer?

A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by a co-defendant in your case. Not all conflicts automatically disqualify potential counsel, but you must be fully aware of and understand the nature of the conflict before deciding whether to hire a lawyer in spite of it.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do attorneys have conflicts of interest?

Attorneys in every state have an ethical obligation to advise you of any conflict of interest. Still, you should ask the question. 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 ...

Is a lawyer intending to spend time on your case?

The lawyer is not intending to spend the necessary time on your case. Before hiring a lawyer, make sure you understand the costs associated with the lawyer and what you expect to receive for the feee you are paying. 10.

Is a lawyer's time worth anything?

The lawyer’s time is not worth anything; or. The lawyer is not intending to spend the necessary time on your case. Before hiring a lawyer, make sure you understand the costs associated with the lawyer and what you expect to receive for the feee you are paying. 10. Are there any hidden costs?

What does it mean when your lawyer's fees are low?

It is often said that when legal fees are exceptionally low it means: The lawyer is not intending to spend the necessary time on your case. Before hiring a lawyer, make sure you understand the costs associated with the lawyer and what you expect to receive for the feee you are paying. 10.

Why do attorneys specialize in one area of law?

In a legal community as large as Phoenix, most attorneys specialize their practice to only one area of law in order to hone their skills. When an attorney practices in multiple disciplines it leaves open the potential of doing many things ok but none well. When you’re charged with a crime you cannot risk having an attorney that isn’t 100% prepared for every nuance of the criminal justice system. Make sure that your attorney practices only criminal law and doesn’t also work in family law, personal injuries or other ares in addition to criminal law.

What happens when an attorney practices in multiple disciplines?

When an attorney practices in multiple disciplines it leaves open the potential of doing many things ok but none well. When you’re charged with a crime you cannot risk having an attorney that isn’t 100% prepared for every nuance of the criminal justice system.

Do law firms employ sales agents?

Some law firms employ sales agent who are non-attorneys to conduct the initial consultation. While these individuals may have compelling sales strategies for earning your business, because they do not actually practice law much of their advice is meant to drive sales rather than inform perspective clients.

Do litigation skills fade?

While these attorneys are often experienced and knowledgeable, their litigation skills often fade as they spend time selling legal services rather than dedicating time in the courtroom. If you’re hiring a lawyer, ask the attorney handling the intake if they be the lawyer handling your case or if you case will be delegated to a less experienced ...

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.

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:

Can an attorney have trial experience?

Therefore, even an experienced attorney may only have a handful of cases that made it to verdict. On the flipside, you don't want an attorney who has very little trial experience. This can be detrimental for two reasons. First, if your case goes to trial, your attorney won't give you the best chance of winning.

Can a senior attorney farm out work to others?

If you hired a senior attorney, they may have a junior associate do much of the legal work, with your attorney handling the more complicated legal concerns and overseeing the junior associate's progress. Having an attorney farm out work to others may not sit well with you.

Do personal injury attorneys handle all cases?

Most personal injury attorneys handle several of the above-listed types of cases, but almost none will handle all of them . Some of these categories are unique and require an extra level of knowledge and experience. You should look for an attorney who has experience handling your type of case.

Can a personal injury lawsuit happen in the middle of a trial?

Remember, personal injury lawsuits are unpredictable, and anything can happen, even in the middle of trial. However, your attorney should be able to provide at least a rough prediction regarding your chances of winning and what kind of compensation you can expect should your case settle, or should you win at trial.

What does it mean when you pay your attorney off the top?

The only question becomes when you pay them. If legal costs are paid "off the top," that will usually mean more money for you than if they are paid after your attorney gets paid . Let's use an example where your case settles for $100,000, your legal costs are $10,000, and your attorney charges you a 30% contingency fee.

Do you pay legal costs if you win?

The only question becomes when you pay them. If legal costs are paid "off the top," that will usually mean more money for you than if they are paid after your attorney gets paid.

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.

Do businesspeople have to resign themselves to pick the first attorney on their resume?

The good news is that businesspeople definitely don’t have to resign themselves to picking the first attorney whose resume crosses their desk.

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.

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.

Written By

Jane Porter is a freelance writer and editor based in Brooklyn, NY. You can find more of her work at Janeroseporter .com

Jane Porter

Jane Porter is a freelance writer and editor based in Brooklyn, NY. You can find more of her work at Janeroseporter .com

What to do if you are unhappy with a lawyer on LegalMatch?

If you're happy or unhappy with the lawyer you found on LegalMatch, remember to rate them at LegalMatch. This will help others when deciding whether or not to hire the lawyer. That's how LegalMatch works, and why it works so well.

What happens if you fire a lawyer?

Some contracts specify that even if you fire a lawyer, he still gets a large percentage of any future award or settlement you may receive on your case. Make sure you know how to fire your lawyer – before you hire him or her.

Do lawyers advertise in the Yellow Pages?

As a general rule in life, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Many reputable lawyers don't advertise in newspapers or the Yellow Pages. Don't assume that the size of the Yellow Page ad means that a lawyer is better qualified than one with a small ad (or no ad at all). Always review a lawyer's background. LegalMatch makes this easy with the profiles we offer on our LegalMatch Member Attorneys. These help you learn about a lawyer's experience and qualifications.