Lawyers will often provide a free consultation to discuss your legal situation and to allow clients to ask questions. Ideally, a client should come prepared with a list of questions to help determine whether this is the right lawyer for them and the case. It is important to ask questions relating to the lawyer's expertise, special knowledge, fees, and management of the case. Keep reading for questions you should ask a potential lawyer.
1. What kinds of cases do you handle?
When you need an attorney, it is important to know what types of cases that attorney handles. Also, ask how much of the practice is devoted to the area in which your legal issue falls. For example, if you have had an injury after an accident, you should look for someone who works in personal injury law, not family law. Shop around. Try different attorneys like for example a Goodyear Criminal Lawyer.
2. How long have you practiced law and will you take care of the details of my case?
Legal firms have a variety of lawyers and legal professionals. It is important to know who will be doing the work on the case. If you are interviewing the head of the firm, the chances are good they will be handing off many of the details to a legal assistant or junior attorney who is new to the firm. Be sure to ask how long the attorney has been practicing law and what experience they have.
3. Who is your typical client?
Some law firms focus on corporations or high-end clients. If the client is a college student or a low-income family, this may not be the best law firm to secure. Lawyers deal with different issues when working with high net-worth clients than with college students. Get to know the firm and who they target as clients.
4. What are the attorney fees, and how are they billed?
This is an important question to ask. Sometimes, firms offer payment options, so now is the time to find out how much is due upfront, and how much you could pay later. Some cases, such as personal injury cases, do not require payment upfront, and the client is only charged a fee if there is a settlement or money given. Ask what the hourly fee is for the attorney's time and for any legal assistants' time. There should be a different fee for each of these.
5. Are there other ways to solve this legal problem?
No one wants to go to court. A good attorney will determine if there are any other alternatives for solving the legal problem. Sometimes, arbitration or another out-of-court arrangement is possible. If the case can be handled through a less-expensive and time-consuming means, a good attorney should let you know about those options.
6. What do you think the likely outcome of my case will be?
While an attorney does not know for sure how the case will turn out, they can let you know whether there is a good chance of winning the case. Look for an honest attorney. If this is going to be a difficult case to win, you want to know now, not later. For example, if it's going to be a difficult divorce situation, you want to be prepared.
There are many attorneys out there looking for a business. Don't hire the first one you come across on the internet. Do some homework and ask the right questions to find a lawyer who will serve you well.
