If you have a case against someone or you’ve been served with papers saying you’re being sued, you’re likely going to fare a lot better if you have a great lawyer standing in your corner with you. However, many people who need a lawyer are often very intimidated by the process of finding a lawyer that they’re comfortable working with and feel like they can trust. But when the fate of your case and your future life is at stake, it’s worth it to take the time to find the right fit for you and your circumstances. So to help make this task a little easier, here are three tips for finding the right lawyer for your case.
Do Your Research Beforehand
Before you ever begin calling around to speak to lawyers at their practices, it’s going to be a good idea to do quite a bit of research previously. According to Sally Kane, a contributor to The Balance Careers, it’s up to you to do a thorough search about the background of any lawyers that you’re considering. Luckily, this can be pretty easy to do thanks to the Internet. You can and should look at various directories, evaluations, and references to a lawyer before you decide to hire him or her. This research will hopefully unearth anything that might be a red flag for you.
Work With Specialists
There are a lot of different types of lawyers out there. And while getting a personal referral from someone might carry a lot of weight in your mind, it’s going to be best for your case if you choose a lawyer that specializes in the particular type of law you’re going to be needing. For example, Nolo.com suggests that you use a lawyer who specializes in zoning laws if that’s what your case is about or a lawyer who specializes in employment discrimination if that’s what your case is about. While there are lawyers who practice law generally, a lawyer that focuses in one area is going to have a much stronger knowledge-base to pull from for your case.
Ask The Right Questions About Communication
A big part of what your lawyer is going to do for you won’t necessarily happen right in front of your eyes. Things will get moving and your lawyer guide your case in the best possible direction using his or her knowledge and expertise. So in order for you to stay up-to-date and as informed as you’d like to be, it’s important that you find a lawyer who is willing to communicate with you as much as you’re hoping for. According to Glenn Curtis, a contributor to Investopedia.com, you can ask your prospective lawyers questions like if you can call them throughout the case, if you’ll be speaking to them directly or to a paralegal, and how often they give updates on the case to see if their answers line up with the quality of communication you’re wanting to receive.
To ensure you’re able to find the perfect lawyer for you, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you know what to look for and what to avoid.