The population of lawyers in the US is 15% higher than it was a decade ago. If you’re searching for legal help, it helps to have a plan. Otherwise, you could make the mistake of choosing an inexperienced attorney.
Without the best lawyer at your side, you could lose your case, wasting time and money in the process.
Not sure how to find and hire a lawyer you can depend on? Read on to start your search with these tips today!
Consider Your Case
Before researching the lawyers who practice in your area, consider the details surrounding your case. Instead of hiring a general attorney, you can find a lawyer with the right specialty based on your legal needs.
For example, perhaps you want to file for a divorce. In that case, you can search for a family lawyer.
Maybe you need help from an estate planning lawyer instead.
If you were recently in an accident that resulted in injuries, hire a personal injury lawyer. It’s important to note that there are different types of personal injury law, though. For example, perhaps your case involved:
- Elderly abuse or neglect
- Defamation
- Medical malpractice
- Auto accident
- Product liability
- Slip and fall injuries
- Premise liability
- Animal bites
- Assault and battery
You should also consider the minute details surrounding your case, since you can break these categories into smaller sub-categories.
For example, auto accidents include bike, motorcycle, pedestrian, car, truck, and rideshare accidents. You can find a trusted truck accident attorney here to simplify your search.
Finding a lawyer who specializes in handling cases like yours ensures they understand the laws and procedures involved. They can leverage their prior experience with similar cases to win your lawsuit. Otherwise, a lawyer with generalized experience might make a costly mistake.
Request Referrals
To further simplify your search for legal help, turn to friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors. First, talk to anyone who was in a similar situation to the one you’re in now. For example, if you were in a truck accident, talk to someone who was recently in a crash.
Ask if they can recommend a local attorney. If they can, learn more about their legal case.
Asking questions about their case can help you manage your expectations about how the situation will proceed. Learn as much as you can about the lawyer they hired and the legal help they received.
For example, you can ask about the outcome of the client’s case. Were they satisfied with the services they received?
Determine if they experienced any problems after hiring the lawyer, too. For example, maybe the attorney handed their case off to someone else. Maybe the client struggled to call the lawyer for case updates.
Read Online Reviews
You can also learn more about local lawyers by reading online reviews. After searching for “best lawyer near me” online, check the attorney’s website. You can also find client testimonials on the firm’s Google Business profile.
Make sure the attorney you plan to hire has a strong, glowing reputation.
If they have any serious complaints filed against them, remove that lawyer from your list. Instead, hire a lawyer you can depend on.
Check Credentials
Check your local bar association website to confirm that each lawyer on your list is licensed to practice in the state. If their license is no longer up-to-date, strike them from your list of options.
Determine if the lawyer is a member of any legal associations, too. If they are, determine if they hold a leadership role. These lawyers have already won the respect of their peers.
Determine if the lawyer has won any awards or accolades that can speak to their experience and expertise, too.
Prioritize Experience
Start narrowing down your options for lawyers by looking for an experienced attorney.
First, determine how long they’ve practiced. Make sure their experience aligns with your needs. Consider how long they’ve specialized in a specific branch of law.
If they’re new to handling cases like yours, remove them from your list. Instead, consider how many similar cases they’ve handled. Finding someone with years of relevant experience can help you feel confident in their abilities.
Determine how recently they’ve handled a case like yours, too. If they lack current experience, it’s possible they’re not up-to-date with new laws and procedures.
Consider Case Histories
As you learn more about each lawyer’s professional history, consider the cases they recently handled. How many cases like yours have they won or lost in the past year? What about their overall track record?
Learning about their case history can help you determine if they’re capable of winning your case.
Ask questions about the cases they won. What legal strategy did they use? Determine how much they were able to win for each client, too.
Schedule a Consultation
Before you hire a lawyer, schedule a consultation appointment with two or three on your list. Treat it like an interview. Have a list of questions you want to ask prepared ahead of time.
During the meeting, pay attention to how the lawyer speaks and acts. Are they professional? Look for someone with strong communication skills you want speaking on your behalf, too.
Consider the offices as well. Is the staff friendly and able to answer your questions?
During the meeting, ask the lawyer about their professional network. Determine if they’ll call on experts or consultants to strengthen your case.
Otherwise, ask about their fee structure. A personal injury lawyer might work on a contingency fee basis. Other attorneys might require a retainer or fixed rate.
After the interviews, review your notes. Choose an experienced, reliable lawyer who can offer the legal help you need.
Learn How to Find the Best Lawyer for Your Case Today
Finding the best lawyer for your case shouldn’t feel stressful or time-consuming. Instead, use these tips to thoroughly vet your options. Choosing the right lawyer will strengthen the outcome of your case.
Hire a lawyer you can trust today.
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