Tips on How to Hire a Lawyer
Posted on Jun 15, 2011 10:10am PDT
Many people assume that all lawyers are equally qualified to handle their
case. In their minds, the decision on which lawyer to hire comes down
to finding the one that offers the lowest fee. However, just because someone
is a lawyer, doesn’t mean that they are the right lawyer for you,
regardless of the fee. While price is important, you should consider many
more factors when choosing an attorney.
Lawyers, like all people, vary in their range of education, experience,
skill, and price. Of course, you should make sure you get an Orlando attorney
that offers you the best and most qualified representation, at a reasonable
price. You can accomplish this by keeping the following principles in mind:
Meet with the attorney. Don’t just call.
This is serious business. Your case means a lot to you, and rightfully
so. You wouldn’t buy a house or a car without taking a good look
at them first, would you? You should arrange for an appointment to personally
meet with the attorney you are considering. Many lawyers will offer a
free consultation. Therefore, there is no cost to you to meet with the
lawyer for an initial review of your case. You should make sure the meeting
will be with the attorney who will actually handle your case. While the
consultation is free to you, it can be very valuable in the information
you may learn about your case and the attorney you are considering.
Find the most qualified lawyer for your case.
When you meet with the attorney, you can ask them about their qualifications
for handling your case. If you aren’t feeling bold enough to ask,
many lawyer have websites or literature you can review that will contain
such information. You should consider:
- Is the attorney a licensed member of the state and court in which your
case is will proceed? Are they in good standing?
- Did the attorney graduate from an accredited and reputable law school?
- Is the lawyer experienced in handling your type of case? How many such
cases have they had? How many years have they practiced law and represented
individuals in your type of case.
- Does the attorney present themselves well? Do they appear knowledgeable,
confident, articulate? Remember, the same attorney will represent you
in court and must be able to be persuasive and convincing on your behalf
to a judge, jury and opposing counsel.
- Does the attorney seem to have a strategy for getting the best possible
outcome in your type of case? Do they understand the issues and seem to
have a good idea of how they will resolve them?
- Does the attorney offer reasonable fees? As a general rule, you get what
you pay for. However, you should be cautious if the fees seems too high
compared to what other well qualified attorneys are charging. A fee that
is too low is also a red flag. You want to make sure that you get the
most qualified lawyer. Even the best attorneys offer reasonable fees.
Some firms even offer payment plans.
In summary, don’t short change yourself by not taking the time to
find the best lawyer for you. Your case is too important; taking a small
amount of time to find the right attorney will be well worth it.