Here are a few other sources you can turn to for possible candidates in your search for a lawyer:
Sep 09, 2019 · Where should I start to look for a lawyer? There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right …
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Apr 28, 2022 · State bar associations are also good resources for finding lawyers who practice in the field in which you require assistance. Online resources can be another good source, and …
Jul 01, 2021 · Many websites offer free reviews of businesses. Some places to look for lawyer reviews include: LegalZoom, Rocketlawyer, LawTrades, and Avvo.com. Some websites, such …
Here are a few other sources you can turn to for possible candidates in your search for a lawyer: 1 The director of your state or local chamber of commerce may be a good source of business lawyers. 2 The director of a nonprofit group interested in the subject matter that underlies your lawsuit is sure to know lawyers who work in that area. For example, if your dispute involves trying to stop a major new subdivision, it would make sense to consult an environmental group committed to fighting urban sprawl. 3 A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. 4 A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.
Fortunately, many lawyers will work with you to help you acquire a good working knowledge of the legal principles and procedures you need to deal with your problem at least partly on your own. If you are hoping to represent yourself and use a lawyer only for advice, make sure the lawyer is open to that type of set-up.
Nolo offers a unique lawyer directory that provides a comprehensive profile for each attorney with information that will help you select the right attorney. The profiles tell you about the lawyer's experience, education, and fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer's general philosophy of practicing law.
Lawyer referral services are another source of information. There is a wide variation in the quality of lawyer referral services, however, even though they are required to be approved by the state bar association. Some lawyer referral services carefully screen attorneys and list only those attorneys with particular qualifications and a certain amount of past experience, while other services will list any attorney in good standing with the state bar who maintains liability insurance. Before you choose a lawyer referral service, ask what its qualifications are for including an attorney and how carefully lawyers are screened.
A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.
Obtaining personal referrals is usually the best place to begin when searching for a lawyer with a proven track record—and it’ll also help you avoid those that haven’t been so successful.
While advertisements can help you survey the legal landscape, keep in mind that they are one-sided and biased. Be wary about everything you read and hear, especially advertisements.
Once you’ve narrowed down a list of a few potential attorneys in an appropriate practice area, set up a time for a phone call or in-person meeting. Many lawyers offer free consultations; in addition to gauging their enthusiasm and availability to handle your legal matter, some questions you should ask may include:
Part of choosing the right lawyer is setting a budget beforehand and sticking to it. You won’t be able to enjoy winning your case if you have a debt to deal with in the aftermath. Even if the lawyer you want to work with is outside of your budget, you can always ask them to recommend someone within the same practice area and in your price range.
It can be quite discouraging to go through the process of choosing a lawyer only to realize that you don’t mesh well together or that they aren’t effectively attending to your legal needs.
Ask around among your family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances to see if they know of any attorneys they could recommend. Personal references can be some of the most reliable references you will find.
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.
Now that you have some attorney options, it’s time to choose. To get you started, here’s a list of questions to ask an attorney before hiring them:
One way to get a feel for an attorney’s practice is to be observant when you go for your first consultation.
Most attorneys do consultation appointments for free. However, some may charge a small fee for a consultation. Make certain that you know whether you will be charged, and don't make an appointment with an attorney who isn't forthcoming about these details. Most attorneys offer consultations for free.
Family law attorneys handle matters such as separation, divorce, pre-nuptial agreements, adoption, guardianship, child custody and support. Personal injury law. Personal injury attorneys handle cases involving medical malpractice, dog bites, car accidents and any injury to a person that may be the fault of another.
This is a contract between you and your attorney that defines the nature of the legal engagement you are involved in, and the conditions and terms of your agreement with your attorney.
If you had legal representation that surpassed all your expectations, you may want to tell everyone you know. Instead of simply telling others, write a letter that explains why you have such confidence in your attorney.
Like other professions, a lawyer's successful representation also may depend on traits that have nothing to do with where she earned her law degree or how many court cases she has tried.
When you're looking for legal representation, you're obviously in a predicament where you need someone who has your best interests in mind – an experienced and savvy lawyer with a solid reputation for resolving legal matters to her clients' satisfaction.