Shopping for a law firm is not that much different from any other product or service, the smart consumer does their research first before committing. There are all kinds of law firms looking for clients it is up to you to find a good one that you can work with. You need an attorney than not only you can trust but one that can handle the type of case that you have. Here are some tips on how to find a law firm that fits you.
Put Together a List of Potential Law Firms
You need an attorney that works in the right field of law, if you’re getting a divorce you want a family lawyer. Not only that you want one that is licensed to practice in your state. You can start with the state Bar Association, they are responsible for regulating practicing attorneys in your state. On their website they will have a comprehensive list of attorneys along with any past disciplinary actions or complaints. You can easily avoid working with a lawyer who has demonstrated bad behaviour in the past.
Referrals from Friends and Family
No matter your situation there is probably someone you know who has been in a similar situation. These are friends and family that you can ask to refer to you to a good attorney. You may even be aware of a good attorney based on their reputation alone. If you are charged with a crime, there is a high profile attorney in your state with a reputation for winning. There are also review sites where past clients can rate their experience working with that particular lawyer during their case. Where they satisfied? Did they get the outcome they were looking for? Yelp along with Google both are places where you can check the reviews of any lawyer you are thinking of working with.
Cost
The fees charged by an attorney can range anywhere from $150 per hour all the way to $1,500 per hour depending on location, whether it is court time and their field of practice. An attorney doesn’t come cheap and if you don’t qualify for legal aid you are going to be paying out of pocket. Any potential attorney should explain to you the fees upfront so you are perfectly clear and know what to expect. Many law firms will offer you a free consultation to give you both the opportunity to see if you can work together.
A good attorney can mean the difference between winning and losing your case, choose carefully.