You need a lawyer and you need one fast, but choosing the first person you find is going to do more harm than good.
When you need legal help, it’s important to take the time to find a professional attorney who fits your exact needs. This involves sitting down for a consultation and asking the right questions.
Not sure what to ask to find the best law firm? Keep reading to find out.
Are You a General Law Firm?
The best law firm will typically specialize in a legal field rather than covering a broad set of industries and subject matters. It’s rare to find a lawyer who is well versed in several law aspects.
Don’t fret if the law firm you are working with specializes in only your concerned type of case. This is better for you as the customer.
Lawyers may concentrate on any of the following areas of legal practice:
- Bankruptcy law
- Corporate law
- Civil Rights law
- Criminal law
- Family law
- Tax law
There are some firms like Conrad Trosch & Kemmy that have various legal practices under their belt. It’s important to find a law firm whose expertise matches your needs.
How Long Have You Practiced Law?
You can find out how long a local law firm has been in business, but you should also ask the lawyer you are going to be working with how long they have practiced law.
No matter the types of lawyers you need, this is an important question to ask. It takes years to become an expert in a certain field so you’ll want an attorney with experience. This is especially true if you suspect your case goes to trial.
Do You Have Case Experience Similar to Mine?
Years of experience matter when choosing a legal practitioner, but relevant experience is most important. Ask a lawyer if they have previous case experience that is similar to your case.
Get more than a yes answer out of this question. If a lawyer says yes, ask for details of the case that is similar to yours.
This will also be a good time to ask about previous case outcomes.
What Is Your Fee Structure?
Inquiring about the fee structure is important because lawyers vary in the billing process they work with. These are possible fees you might come across when working with a lawyer:
- Hourly rate
- Flat fee
- Contingent fee
- Retainer fee
- Statutory fee
If you don’t have the budget for a lawyer, finding one that works on a contingency basis is your best option. This is when a lawyer agrees to charge zero fees in exchange for a percentage of the settlement.
A lawyer who charges an hourly rate typically costs between $100 and $300 an hour to hire.
Hiring the Best Law Firm
To hire the best law firm, you need to ask the right questions. These are just a few of the topics you should cover during a consultation with a lawyer.
Although there are other things you can ask, you should always inquire about specialties, experience, and fee structures.
The answers you get will help you figure out if you are hiring the right person for your needs. For more legal articles like this, check out the other posts on our blog.
