Choosing A Lawyer: 5 Important Considerations

There are many things that can happen, initiating the need for legal help or advice. Choosing the right lawyer is key to getting the legal support you need. If you don’t already have an attorney whom you can rely on, consider some of these factors when you choose a lawyer.

Law Specialty

Law is such an expansive field. Because of this, many lawyers specialize in one area of law, such as personal injury, real estate, or criminal law. There are firms like http://taylorlegalnc.com/ that cover various types of law. However, you’re unlikely to find a firm that covers all areas of law. You must choose a professional who has knowledge and experience with your type of case to get the best results. Look at law firm websites to see what specialities they advertise and what types of cases they’ve worked on the past.

Reputation

Selecting a lawyer with a good reputation is extremely important. Make sure to check reviews on Google and platforms like http://trustpilot.com. A reputable lawyer or firm should have mostly positive reviews. Avoid firms that have lots of recent negative reviews or no reviews at all. Reviews aren’t the only way to determine if a lawyer is reputable, however. Getting recommendations from friends, family members or connections is also wise or even better. 

Fees

Each lawyer has a right to charge a rate that suits them and the type of law they practice. Some may be even be out of reach. It’s important you find a lawyer who’s within your budget. How each lawyer charges their rates varies. Some charge by the hour, an upfront fixed fee, some charge commission (in the case of lawsuits). Others have a no win no fee model. It’s important to discuss fees upfront with a lawyer to make sure that there are no hidden fees to show up later on. Most lawyers are transparent when it comes to the cost of their service. That said, there are some shady lawyers who will not disclose certain fees upfront. Although these lawyers generally won’t have great reviews. 

Availability

Some lawyers may be booked up and may not be able to work on your case immediately. If you cannot wait to get legal support, you may need to look for another lawyer who is currently available. Larger law firms are typically able to take on more cases at once and could be worth looking into. 

Communication

Communication is crucial when choosing a lawyer. If a lawyer never picks up the phone and takes ages to reply to emails, you may want to avoid using their service. With this type of neglect, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get hold of them in an emergency. You should also consider their tone. Are they friendly and attentive to your needs? Are there responses all quite blunt or dismissive? Do they seem calm when talking to you? Do they seem a bit frazzled? Determine what type of vibe they give off and whether this fills you with trust. If the first impressions are bad, then it’s smart to look for another lawyer.