Finding an attorney can be challenging. If you’re looking for an attorney then you need to consider what you need an attorney for. Attorneys are not all built the same and the quality of services can depend on many factors. It is important to do adequate research before retaining a new attorney to increase your odds of a favorable outcome. You should take your time and shop around to make sure you are hiring the best attorney to handle your case. Keep reading as we discuss some of the factors to consider when hiring an attorney.
What Kind of Help Do You Need?
If you think you may need the assistance of an attorney to handle a legal matter, you will first want to consider your desired outcome and what you need from an attorney. You should have a clear idea of your desired outcome and be able to effectively communicate this to your prospective attorney. For example, if you have a dispute with a family member that you would like resolved with a quick and amicable settlement and not a drawn out in-court battle, you need to communicate this to your potential counsel. Having a clear idea of your desired outcomes before your consultation with an attorney will allow you to effectively communicate your goals to potential lawyers, putting your best foot forward.
Subject Matter
Just like medical doctors, attorneys have specializations, and it is important that you hire an attorney who is familiar with the subject matter of your case. For instance, if you need to hire an attorney to handle your divorce, you do not want to hire an attorney or firm that typically works on personal injury cases. Hiring a lawyer who works within the specific practice area will increase your odds for a better outcome of your case. During your consultation, you will want to ask the attorney how much experience they have dealing with the subject matter specific to your case.
Location
Another consideration should be the attorney’s geographical area. You should make sure to hire an attorney who has experience working in your general area and is familiar with the case law of your jurisdiction. Case- law varies between jurisdictions and hiring an attorney who has experience handling cases in your area and is familiar with the law and court systems there is always your best bet.
Communication
You should find an attorney who can effectively communicate with you and keep you up to date on the status of your case. There will be many times where your attorney will need to explain legal concepts to you so that you can make an informed decision. Finding an attorney who is an effective communicator is extremely important. Consider this early on when engaging counsel, take notice of how timely they respond and how their general communication style resonates with you.
Support Network
Once you have determined the kind of help that you need from an attorney, you should consider the kind of support network your case will require. The support network refers to the resources available to your attorney. For complex issues, an attorney will require a larger support network to produce the best results. This could include research staff and access to other experienced attorneys. Typically, the larger the firm, the more extensive an attorney’s support network. You may look to engage a larger firm if you have a complex case with many different legal issues.
Referrals
If you conduct an internet search for a new attorney, you are sure to be overwhelmed with countless advertisements. Advertisements can lead to you finding a quality attorney however, it is important that you do not believe everything you read.
Arguably the best way to find a new attorney is through a referral from a friend or business associate who has firsthand experience with the firm or individual. Knowing someone who has personal experience working with an attorney will be the best source on the attorney’s performance. If you find yourself needing to hire an attorney, reach out to your network for referrals.
Hire the Right Attorney
Hiring the right attorney is crucial. It is important to consider the factors mentioned above and to make an informed and thoughtful decision.
Disclaimer: The material and information contained in this article are for informational purposes only. You should not rely on the material or information for making business, legal, tax, or any other decisions.
This blog post was written by Kali Krownapple, she’s an attorney on Fiverr. I use Fiverr to find highly skilled specialists to write posts in their area of expertise. Subscribe for more business, sales and investing posts. Have a lovely day.
