At one point in life, you will face a legal threat. Whether it’s a professional dispute or a traffic accident, you will need to know your legal rights and determine whether a challenge is warranted. In case your legal issue involves lots of money, or the problem is complex, ensure that you have an experienced attorney in your corner throughout the process. After all, your lawyer does much more than just dispensing legal information. Your lawyer will offer you sound legal advice and employ sophisticated technical skills to your legal problems.
Personality
Because your lawyer will be the one taking over your case to help solve your legal problems, the first qualification is that he or she should make you feel comfortable. No matter how well-recommended or experienced an attorney is, if you aren’t comfortable around them during your first meeting, you won’t be able to tell them honestly all the facts of your case that are necessary to resolve the problem. Therefore, always trust your instincts and consult an attorney that shares a similar personality to yours.
Area of Expertise
Your lawyer’s experience and area of expertise are very important. States all over the country have different specialization programs that certify attorneys on certain types of laws, and it is advisable to ask your lawyer the type of cases he or she handles. Always remember that most lawyers don’t have a specific certified specialty, but this doesn’t mean that your attorney isn’t an expert in a certain field. The specialty area includes the most cases that an attorney handles.
Promptness and Communication
Ask your prospective attorney how you can contact him or her and how long it will take for them to get back to you. You should never assume that just because your lawyer is friendly that it will be easy to talk to them and overlook this step. Unfortunately, a survey conducted on several attorneys indicates that most of them are poor communicators. However, if you experience any problem and there’s a long delay before your attorney gets back to you, you’ll lose valuable time. It can be a frustrating experience when you leave your case in the hands of your lawyer and then wait for weeks or even months without any action being taken. Ensure that you get the right attorney who has positive reviews by checking different pages for different lawyers, such as Lexington Law Reviews, to get an attorney who will work hard on your behalf and follow through all your assignments promptly.
Willing to Work With You
In a situation when you are experiencing legal problems, and you need legal advice. Attorneys are the prime sources of such advice; however, if you can only get such information by paying a rate of $300 to $500 per hour, you will soon empty your bank account. Therefore, consult an attorney who will help you to acquire knowledge of the legal procedures that you may experience. If you are planning to handle your case by representing yourself, it’s a wise idea to consult an attorney to offer you legal advice but, ensure that your attorney is open to such a set-up. Also, if you’re planning to venture into business and you want to draft your bylaws and agreements, request your attorney to review your drafts and correct any mistakes.
The attorney you consult will also want to talk to you about your problem to determine if they can take the case. Take the opportunity and ask your attorney about their experience, fees, litigation history, and cases similar to yours that they have handled. That way, you will be able to determine whether that is the right lawyer for your case.
Author information: Kare Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max. You can find Kara on Facebook and Twitter.
