Hiring the right lawyer may seem an easy task, but it is actually a process that takes time and needs careful research. When you put your case in the lawyer’s hands, you need to feel confident that the lawyer you have hired has good experience, qualifications and skills to give you the results you expect. In this article, we have provided some basic guidelines that will help you find the right lawyer for your legal needs.
Check how long the lawyer has been in practice
It is important to hire a lawyer with extensive experience in handling your type of legal problem. For example, if you have hired a personal injury attorney to sue the negligent party, it’s crucial the attorney has a proven history of getting successful jury verdicts. The longer the attorney has been in practice in the field, the more experience they are likely to have, and there are more chances of you winning the lawsuit.
Track record
Don’t just hire an attorney by just looking at the educational qualification, make sure to check for the track record. The best way to inquire about your attorneys’ track record is consult Martindale-Hubbell law directory. Martindale-Hubbell is a very good resource for information about a law firm and its lawyers. It includes ratings of the law firms and lawyers based upon peer reviews. These reviews will help you in hiring a qualified lawyer.
Do a background check
Contact your state bar association to learn if the lawyer is in a good standing. You can also check references, especially if you have located the attorney through the Internet. However, some directories also provide information about the lawyer like years of experience, practice areas, types of cases they handle, their philosophy and professional skills and expertise. A background check will help you make a better decision.
Ask friends and family for recommendations
If you have never hired a lawyer, check with friends, colleagues and relatives to recommend a lawyer they have hired before for similar problems. A personal recommendation is a good way to find a suitable lawyer.
Is the fee reasonable in comparison with other lawyers’ charges
Finding the right lawyer means finding the one whose services is reasonable. Compare the charges with other lawyers and check yourself whether the lawyer is charging a fair amount considering the services.
Other than factors like experience, track record, reputation and cost, you also need to be comfortable working with your lawyer. Comfort level includes your lawyer’s overall behavior, good working relationship and trust. You need to hire the right lawyer based on these to do the job for you.