Need legal advice? A great lawyer is one who meticulously works on your case, does not accept cases which do not deal with their area of expertise, charges you reasonably and who has an overall presence that is mentally relieving for you during this potentially stressful time.
You’re trusting them to represent you legally, and no matter what type of case you have, you need to know that they’re going to do everything in their power to represent you well. The last thing you want is to decide on a lawyer, only to find that they don’t know what they’re doing, or they’re just looking to take your money. So, if you are looking for legal representation, here are a few considerations to keep in mind while you’re separating the good from the bad.
Communication
The best way to tell a good lawyer from a bad one is to determine how quickly they respond to your calls and emails. Yes, most lawyers are busy and handle more than one case at a time, but if you have to work to get a call back, or call several times just to get them to look at your email, there’s an issue.
A quality lawyer will have your best interests at heart and will remain available to answer your questions as they come up.
Deadlines
Professional lawyers don’t miss deadlines. One of the biggest red flags out there is an lawyer who misses a deadline. Lawyers, for all specialties and practice areas, should be well organised and on top of paperwork.
Promises
A good lawyer will give you an idea of what to expect from your case, in general terms. A bad lawyer will promise you that you’ll win the case. Be very wary of anyone who promises you a certain outcome.
Experience
It is good to remember that when it comes to experience, quantity still isn’t necessarily better than quality. Choose a Lawyer who specialises in whatever case you have. There are so many fields of law that it is impossible for a Lawyer to be perfect in every area of law, from crime to civil suits to maritime law. While there are a lot of generalists out there, it is in your best interest to at least talk to some Lawyers who have handled cases like yours in the past.
Clear Billing Practices
We all know that Lawyers are naturally expensive. They work in a specialised field, and because of that, they often charge quite a lot for their work. Be wary of Lawyers who offer rock-bottom prices, as they may be hiding fees, or they might just not be that good. Shop around and get an idea of a few different attorney’s fees, so you can judge who is charging too much and who is charging too little. Then get it in writing!
In Summary
Ask questions, organised to have with you as much information as possible, and make sure you find someone you feel comfortable with. You will probably be making a big investment, both in time and money, in resolving your legal problem so using the tips above you are now more prepared to carefully choose the lawyer who is best for you.