Statistics reveal that the United States employs 19,521 lawyers. When you need the help of a legal expert, there are many to choose from, but not all deliver the same results. You want the best lawyer to give you the best outcome for your unique case. Hiring a lawyer is a big decision. However, if you vet them properly, you can make it much easier to come to a fitting conclusion and feel good about your decision. This means asking the right questions.
Here is how you can find an excellent lawyer to help you achieve your desired outcome for your legal challenges ahead.
1. Hiring a Lawyer? Ask, What Area of Legal Practice Do You Specialize in?
There are many subject matters in the legal field. It is unlikely to find the best lawyer for your case when they do not specialize in your area. Most attorneys focus on a particular area of the law.
Here are the typical areas that lawyers specialize in:
- Bankruptcy
- Business
- Civil rights
- Criminal
- Entertainment
- Environmental
- Family
- Personal injury
- Real estate
- Tax
When seeking legal help, you must always compare apples to apples and never apples to oranges. You need a car wreck attorney for legal help because of an auto accident.
2. How Long Have You Been a Lawyer?
It takes years for a lawyer to be an expert if an area of the law. Therefore, this question is essential. You should ask a lawyer you are considering hiring if they have at least ten to fifteen years of experience in litigation.
You are likely hoping for a settlement because trials can be time-consuming, and you never know how it will end. However, sometimes you will not have a choice in resolving your dispute. Before you begin working with an attorney, they really need to have experience in court.
Having a veteran is essential because when they have been down this road before, they will know what to expect. Most importantly, they know how to win!
3. Are You Willing to Go to Trial?
It is possible that an attorney will not want to try your case. You need to know this before you begin working with them, especially if you feel that you will want to go to trial. Do not leave your case to chance or assume anything.
Ask a lawyer near me if they are willing to go to trial. There are many nuances for going to court, including understanding the legal area you are going to court for. There are statutes of limitations and filing dates.
If you must take your case to trial, go with an attorney who will care for your dispute from beginning to end.
Also Read: What You Need to Know When Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyer
4. What Is Your History of Success?
Not only should they know how to win, but they should have a resume that can show it. How many cases, like yours, have they won? Further, how much were their previous clients awarded?
A good lawyer has good news to share, which comes with proven success. They should have examples of their previous cases and be able to tell you some details. Ask about the outcomes and challenges they faced to get to that outcome.
When vetting a lawyer, they should be able to give you a sense of their win-to-lose ratio. Another essential fact is asking what the attorney may do differently now, based on what they have learned from experience.
5. Who Is Your Typical Client?
Often, when people seek legal help, they overlook this important question. For example, if you are an individual recently in an auto accident, you want to hear that a typical client is someone like you rather than the corporation.
Another factor could be the type of individuals that the attorney works with. You may want to know if they often work with families, college students, high-net-worth individuals, etc.
This is another case of comparing apples to apples. The more your case has similarities to the ones the attorney won prior, the better your odds will be. This is worth investigating on your own before you sign any agreements with an attorney.
6. What Is Your Negotiation Style?
You’ll want to understand how the attorney handles contracts, negotiations, and dispute resolutions. They should be able to explain their approach. It will be the lifeblood of settling your case, and in a manner that you become the winner.
Although you should not actively seek a “pit bull” negotiator that refuses to settle, the best lawyer is balanced and fair. Being unable to listen and negotiate will hurt your case.
At the same time, you want a firm attorney. You do not want to be taken advantage of. There is a delicate balance of being fair and strong while also exuding integrity.
Contentious negotiations can lead to more extended resolutions. If the other party hates your attorney, they may avoid calls and emails for spite. This doesn’t help you.
For a fast and favorable outcome, you need a good negotiator.
7. What Are Your Fees?
Attorneys will work on various fee structures. They can work on a flat or hourly fee. Ask if they require a retainer or statutory fee or work on a contingent fee.
An accident lawyer will usually work on a contingency fee basis. They do not get paid should you lose your case. Contingency fees give lawyers an incentive to win and maximize profits.
If it is not contingent, check the payment terms thoroughly and ensure you understand all associated fees with your case. Once you know their payment process and terms, this information will help determine if you can afford the lawyer.
8. Before Hiring a Lawyer, Ask, “Who Else in the Firm May Help?“
Often there could be multiple individuals handling your case. This includes paralegals and other attorneys. Even if you like the lawyer you interview for your case, you must be comfortable with everyone that could be helping.
Try to visit their location and get a quick chat with everyone that you may work with. Plus, seeing the office will tell you a lot. Look around and see if you find big piles of messy paperwork.
Do you hear a phone in the background? If so, did someone answer it politely? A professional lawyer will work in a professional office.
9. Will You Handle the Case Personally?
You may be vetting an attorney that will not be taking care of the ins and outs of your case. They need to be upfront about this. You can ask directly if the lawyer you are speaking with will handle your case or if they are communicating with you on behalf of the firm.
Even if they are not handling the case personally, you can find out who would be. Then, interview that individual like any attorney.
If you do not ask this question at the beginning, you may be disappointed later. The person you liked and chose is suddenly fading into the background, and you may get stuck. Don’t let this happen, and clear the air during your initial interview.
10. Can I Call or Email You? Where Can I Direct My Questions?
This can be a common complaint among clients. You should expect impeccable communications. This includes answering your calls and email promptly.
Ask right away about their communications. You need to know what you can expect from them, but also, you can let them know what it is you want from their services. The relationship that you have with your attorney will form your experience, but also, it can directly impact the results of your case.
When you interview an attorney, you can see how quickly they respond to you. You could ask questions to test how they respond and if their response is genuine or full of confusing legal jargon. A simple one-on-one chat will tell you a lot.
11. How Will You Provide Updates on My Case?
You will have questions; however, your attorney should update you as your case progresses. You must know their process and the circumstances in which your attorney can contact you with the news. As a client, you need to know what is going on and what to expect next, including important dates that are coming up.
A reasonable attorney can provide this level of detail. They can tell you how and when to expect updates. Plus, they should be happy to keep you posted.
12. Can You Show Me Past Cases You Took to Trial?
It’s essential to use your Internet sleuth skills at this point. The longer an attorney is in business, the more likely they have feedback on Google reviews, Facebook business, etc. Scour the Internet to see what past clients say.
You do not need to do all the work yourself. The attorney may not want to give you the contact information of their previous clients. However, if they went to trial, the case, and its outcome, should be public information.
Ask if they can provide you with references to cases they tried. Take a thorough look at the outcome. See if a successful claim has any similarities to yours.
13. What Would the Outcome Likely Be?
It may sound like something you ask a fortune teller, but lawyers do not need a crystal ball to tell you what they anticipate. Experience will give them an inclination as to how they believe your case will go.
Based on their legal expertise, you can ask what they believe the chances of winning your case could be. Do not ask this question for a “correct” answer, but ask for honesty. It could be that your case is not strong, or you have slim chances of winning.
You want to know what to understand before going into it. Keep your expectations realistic, too. If you know you have a challenging case, remember it is difficult because even the best attorney may not offer the outcome you desire.
14. Can I Resolve This Another Way?
There is always the possibility that when the attorney meets you, there are details about your case where they may not think the trial is the best option. It is possible that you can resolve the matter in an alternative way. Settlements can occur before trial.
However, if they cannot settle and the trial is risky, the attorney should be able to tell you if they believe another course of action will help. Arbitration is one method. There are out-of-court arrangements that could settle the matter.
There are many possibilities. Write down your thoughts and your questions. That way, when you interview an attorney to determine if you want to hire them, you will remember everything you want to ask and clarify.
Bring a pen and paper, and jot down the answers as you talk. Then, you can review your notes as you think about it afterward.
Hiring a Lawyer For Your Case
There are many factors to understand better when getting to the heart of the matter. Ask good questions when hiring a lawyer. Know what they specialize in, how long they have practiced, and their winning track record.
Their manner of communication will play an essential role in your satisfaction with your attorney. Also, remember that fees can vary, and so can negotiation styles. Do your research; you can feel good knowing you made the right choice.
