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Choosing an attorney should be approached in the same way as you choose a contractor for your home or an accountant for your finances. With an attorney, you are sharing personal details and entrusting them to guide you through a circumstance that you may not be able to handle on your own. Do your research and make your decision wisely before making your choice.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing an attorney that is best suited for you and your legal case, ranging from credentials and expense to the field of law and more. Below are a few things you may want to consider choosing an attorney to take on your case. With an attorney, you are sharing personal details and entrusting them to guide you through a circumstance that you may not be able to handle on your own. Do your research and make your decision wisely before making your choice.
Long Term or Short Term?
You must first answer your own needs before researching online or asking friends for referrals. Why do you need an attorney? Have you run into a legal issue that you can’t resolve on your own?
Once you’ve determined that you do need professional aid, determine if you need legal counsel on a short-term or long-term basis. This can be determined by the type of help you need. Do you, for example, need legal counsel on a current legal matter? This could only necessitate a one-time hire or a consultation. Or, are you seeking representation on a long-term basis? An attorney who will represent you during all your legal affairs moving forward may also be of need.
Experience
Experience is arguably the most important thing you should consider when choosing an attorney. Expertise in handling legal situations in the field of law you need would be the best case scenario as well. Research an attorney’s website or ask them about their experience during a consultation. While experience might be important, it will only be best for you if they are within your budget.
The most important thing for you to do is to ask questions. It can reveal their level of competence, communication skills, and, most importantly, their ability to assist you. Experience is tied to many of these things.
Area of Law Needed
What is the area of law you are seeking? Attorneys tend to specialize in certain areas of law, similar to a doctor. Some attorneys specialize in real estate law. Another may be an expert in copyright law or the music business. And some focus on civil rights or become a car accident attorney.
Attorneys can also offer services in multiple areas of law. These are referred to as general practice attorneys. They can help you in various instances where you may need help. However, they may not be best suited if your need is very narrow or specific.
If your situation is very specific, you may want to search out an attorney in the area of law you are seeking. For example, if you’re going through a divorce, seeking out an attorney who specializes in divorce may yield the best results. If you were in a car accident and were injured, a car accident attorney or personal injury attorney may be the best choice. The decision you make should all depend on your specific situation.
Size of the Firm
In some cases, the size of the law firm can influence your choice of attorney. A larger firm will have more resources at their disposal, but may also be very expensive. Smaller firms, on the other hand, may offer more hands-on time with their clients and possibly be less costly. However, they may not have the same resources as their larger and more established counterparts, especially if they do not practice in the field of law you need. For example, if you’re going through a divorce, seeking out an attorney who specializes in divorce may yield the best results. If you were in a car accident and were injured, a car accident attorney or personal injury attorney may be the best choice. The decision you make should all depend on your specific situation.
Availability
Does the attorney you wish to hire have adequate time to devote to your case? How many clients are they currently in litigation with? This is a very important point to consider, especially if you need consistent attention for your case.
If an attorney happens to have a lengthy caseload and seems overworked, it is probably best to continue searching. The last thing you want is an attorney who will not call you back in a timely manner or cannot offer enough personal attention to give your case the best chance of winning. . If you were in a car accident and were injured, a car accident attorney or personal injury attorney may be the best choice. The decision you make should all depend on your specific situation.
