There is a lot of information to wade through when trying to hire a lawyer. Here are a few things to help you prepare for hiring legal counsel.
Understand your own case. Be sure to brush up on a few legal terms and actions so you have a basic understanding of legal lingo. If you feel adequately prepared for your first consultation, but you are still left in the dust, you should consider the attorney’s commitment to you. A good attorney will want to make sure you understand the terms involved with your case without overloading you with fancy legal terms. Plain English, please.
Understand the area of expertise needed for the success of your case. There are many different types of law, and each type has specific differences. Do not settle for a divorce lawyer with lower rates when you actually need a bankruptcy or accident lawyer to help you win your case. Be aware of the similarities and differences and you will be sure to hire the appropriate lawyer for your type of case.
Make yourself aware of any and all fees associated with the legal counsel you require. It is sometimes possible to negotiate flat fees and lower hourly rates, depending on the type of services you require. If anything seems off the wall, don’t be afraid to ask questions about rates and fees before signing anything. It is always a good idea to do a little shopping around to make sure you are getting a good price.
Meet in person before making any commitments. Find out if they charge for their first consultation or not, but make sure that you meet them. This is key for finding great contract attorney jobs. Just because they seem right on paper or over the phone does not mean they will make a good match for you. If they rub you the wrong way during the first meeting, move on.
Find out a little background information on the firm itself. How many cases have they handled in your general arena of services? What is their success rate? How many people will be working on your case, and will you have the opportunity to meet with all of them? Large law firms often have a significant number of people working on your case that you might not even know about. Find out if you are dealing solely with the pretty face that shakes your hand or if he is just the intermediary between you and the real lawyers.