5 Tips To Find A Good Lawyer When You Really Need One

For one reason or the other, you might find yourself looking for a good lawyer. It isn’t unusual to need some legal advice once in a while. Lawyers can play a pivotal role, whether that be helping you with your will, getting a divorce, or seeking compensation for an injury. Because most people tend to look for a lawyer only when they need one, you might be in a rush and find yourself hiring the wrong person. You need to consider a few factors while looking for a lawyer to make sure you get the best possible legal representation. Start by asking yourself this simple question:

What type of lawyer do you need?

A good law firm will house a number of barristers who specialize in different aspects of the law, allowing you to choose one that best suits your situation. The best start to finding an attorney is by doing your research. You can look up the local or state bar association’s attorney directory to see what types of lawyers there are and determine which one suits your needs. If you’re dealing with medical debt, you might want a firm that specializes in those types of cases and has a history of winning good settlements for its clients. Similarly, you’d need a specialized and experienced dui lawyer phoenix, lawyer for motorcycle accidents, workplace ethical violations, business troubles, and so on. Review your situation, consult directories, study the lawyer’s case history and look into personal referrals before making a choice.

Factors that make a good lawyer

Regardless of the type of case you’re dealing with, there are some factors that set a good attorney apart from a bad one. With the help of this guide, you’ll know what type of person to hire.

1. Relevant experience

You need to hire a lawyer with a strong case history dealing with your particular type of issue. Lawyers with experience in similar cases tend to have a great knowledge of the relevant precedents. In the legal system, a precedent is a previous judgment that can be taken as an authority on similar cases. An experienced lawyer can cite precedent to help tip the balance in favor of the outcome that benefits you the most. You’ll likely sit down with the prospective lawyer for a consultation before hiring them, so ask about their case history. If the lawyer has not handled a case similar to yours, it would be in your best interest to quickly thank them for their time and move on to the next one.

2. Know who is representing you

If you approach a large law firm, they might use their most successful lawyers to boast about their success, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to get that exact lawyer. Many firms will assign less experienced lawyers to cases with lower payouts. If you’re dealing with a simple issue, such as a road accident, it’s unlikely the firm would give you the best they have to offer, as that is a low-profile case. You don’t need to worry about a less experienced lawyer if that lawyer still has some experience. Be direct and ask which lawyer would be assigned to your case. Make your decision based on the case history of that specific attorney, not the prestige of the law firm.

3. Look into client reviews

Much like businesses, lawyers have their own set of client reviews. You can find these reviews quickly through websites such as Google My Business, Better Business Bureau, Yelp, Avvo, and so on. There is no point in walking into the courthouse with a lawyer that has a bad string of reviews. Whether you need an attorney for a divorce, injury, or work conflict, you want an attorney you can trust. The sense of comfort and timeliness a good lawyer provides can make this difficult period in your life much easier.

Lawyers nowadays are also aware of the fact that people trust these online reviews and are motivated to provide good services. If an attorney has poor reviews, it’s likely they have a lousy work ethic, and that isn’t worth your time or money.

4. Personal referrals

Some cases deal with matters people do not wish to discuss openly, and you might have to seek out personal referrals instead. You can start by asking around among your friends, family, and coworkers if they have a lawyer in mind for your situation. People in your community would have a good understanding of the case and would be able to guide you in the right direction. For example, if you’re dealing with a sexual harassment claim, you might want to visit a women’s support group. Many of the attendees would have had to deal with similar cases and would be able to offer some solid leads. You can’t make up your mind solely based on a referral, as different people have different ideas of what makes a lawyer good. Still, it is an excellent place to start.

5. Hire an interested lawyer

You want to be sure the person you hire is invested in your case. Like any form of work, a person’s motivation can lead to much better results. When you meet with the lawyer, try to understand their interest. Try asking yourself some of these questions during the interview process: do they engage with your questions, or are they just trying to get you out of the office so they can meet another client? Does the lawyer take the initiative? What made them want to specialize in this particular field of law? Is this attorney detail-oriented and organized?

You need to trust your instincts during these situations. You don’t need to be friends with your attorney, but you will be spending a lot of time with them. Ensure it’s someone you can trust and someone who would dedicate a lot of time to your case.

Final thoughts

Getting into legal trouble can be pretty stressful, but it happens to the best of us. As long as you hire the right attorney, you should be able to make it out of this difficult period unscathed. With the help of the tips in this guide, you should be able to figure out what lawyer best suits your case. This not only makes dealing with the situation more straightforward, but it can also increase your chances of winning the case.