The first thing that comes to mind when you have a legal matter whether, at home, business, school, work, or traveling, is to hire a lawyer.
But, you have no idea how to get a professional, credible and honest lawyer in your area. And the process of looking for one can wear you out.
Before you go hunting, there are factors you need to put in mind before hiring a lawyer. This post will shed some light on some of them.
1. Location
Finding a lawyer who’s located near you means they’ll be accessible to you.
States have different laws. Hiring a lawyer who’s conversant with your local laws will be an advantage because they’ll help you with paperwork, communication, and other regulations.
A lawyer living near you will also be easily accessible when you both go for the court sessions.
2. Service Charges
Before signing any contract, consider the cost the lawyer is charging. Low charges, unless it’s charitable, sometimes may mean incompetence from the lawyer.
Rates may vary depending on the services offered and the lawyer’s expertise.
Ask your lawyer how they charge. Some charge by the hour, fixed, and others by retainers. Don’t shy from asking if they can consider taking a pro bono case if you don’t have the means to pay.
Do market research for the standard rates to avoid any future surprises.
3. Reputation
A lawyer’s reputation will tell you a lot about their credibility. Ask the previous clients-or if they’re unavailable, ask how they felt when working with the lawyer, check reviews online, friends, or family.
A lawyer with a good reputation also means they know what they’re doing. This will add more leverage to your case.
4. Experience
The length of experience doesn’t necessarily determine the lawyer’s competence.
But, it’s better you ask them if they have worked on similar cases before and how they handled them.
With this in mind, you’ll be able to understand how your case will be handled and the outcome.
5. Area of Expertise
Law is broad with diverse fields in which lawyers or law firms like Tad Nelson & Associates, a Galveston law firm, specialize more or less in one area or another such as family law or criminal defense. Additional areas include corporate, real estate, immigration, intellectual property, personal injury, and more.
If it’s related to you getting injured while at work, you need a personal injury lawyer to represent you.
Ask your lawyer about their specialization and expertise to determine if they can work on your case.
6. Availability
Before you sign any contract, ask your potential lawyer about their availability.
Don’t hire a lawyer who won’t have time for consultation, or has a huge caseload, that they won’t have time to work on yours.
A lawyer whose office is located near you will be easily accessible and tend to your needs efficiently.
7. Communication
Communication is key during your legal process. Your lawyer should be able to communicate with you regularly concerning your case.
To ensure this, discuss preferred check-in hours for easy communication and to avoid any misunderstandings.
A good lawyer will be able to explain complex matters to you and advise you on what should be done.
8. Compatibility
This means that you choose a lawyer you are comfortable working with. A trustworthy lawyer will make you feel more at ease since you’ll be sharing private and sensitive information with them.
Conclusion
Do thorough research, keeping in mind the above pointers. It might take time to find a reliable, professional, efficient, and trustworthy lawyer. But, don’t rash and get one that’ll only be after your money and not the case.
Be transparent and always ask them where you need clarity.