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While finding a lawyer can be as easy as looking under "lawyers" in the yellow pages, choosing the right lawyer for your budget and needs can sometimes be difficult, especially if you don't know what to look for or where to look. This page is a guide on how to find a lawyer.
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Introduction
- If you need of a lawyer, which one you choose to hire will have a significant impact on your wallet, state of mind during the legal process and the final result of the case.
Step 1: Where to Look
- There are several ways to find a lawyer.
- Ask friends or family members for recommendations. This will be most useful if your cases are similar, as lawyers are specialized in different fields.
- Use a lawyer directory. There are many online directories which provide listings of lawyers. Some are simple directories, while others provide more factual and background information on the lawyers than others. Some have stricter requirements and frequently verify the lawyer's qualifications, such as their bar standing.
- You can also use a lawyer referral service to find a lawyer. Their requirements of the lawyers they include will differ depending on the service.
Step 2: What to Look for
- Now that you have the tools to search for a lawyer, what do you look for? There are several things to keep in mind when choosing a lawyer.
- Many lawyers offer a free consultation. Others charge for this service. Some may offer only a phone consultation for free. Using this option can give you a first impression of the lawyer, although you should meet in person before you make your decision.
- Is the lawyer specialized in the area of practice which your case relates to?
- How much experience does the lawyer have in practicing law in general and in the field that applies to your case?
- Where did the lawyer attend law school? Different law schools have different reputation, although attending a good school does not necessarily translate to becoming a good lawyer and there are good lawyers who did not attend the most prestigious schools.
- Although experience and education is important, so is your gut feeling of the lawyer. A lawyer gets paid to represent you, so it's important that the two of you agree on major principals and values related to the case.
- Although it seems contradictory, you should not immediately reject a lawyer who disagrees with the way you want the case to be handled, however (such as settling or taking the case to court). They are experts in their field - listen and consider the arguments first.
- Shop around for prizes. The fees lawyers charge can vary greatly. The way they charge for their services also vary. Keep in mind that some lawyers charge a fee only if you win the case, while others charge an hourly rate.
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