Five Essential Considerations Before Hiring Any Attorney
No matter what type of attorney you are looking to hire, divorce, family law, civil, or criminal, there are several important considerations to ensure that you pick the right attorney for you and your needs:
First, determine what your needs are. Do you even need an attorney? Consider what type of resolution you are seeking, and what type of attorney is best suited to assist you with your needs. It is not just a matter of whether you need a criminal attorney or a family law attorney. You should consider whether you need the more personal attention of a small firm, or whether you prefer the scaled billing system of a larger firm with multiple paralegals available to attend to your needs. Organize your thoughts prior to meeting with any attorney, including the where, when, who, what, and how, but also with a solid understanding of your expectations.
Second, find an attorney that understands the law related to your legal matter. You want to ensure that you are seeking advise from an attorney that has worked in the particular area you need assistance with. For example, if you are going through a divorce you should consult a divorce / family law attorney and not a personal injury attorney.
Third, ask how the attorney bills for his/her work and whether there are any billing options. Just calling an attorney’s office does not mean you have hired that attorney. One of your first questions to the potential attorney is how services are billed. Will you be billed hourly or based on a flat-fee. You want to know how often you will be provided with invoices, and how much and for what services (for example: is there a charge for phone calls, emails, short meetings, etc.?) you will be charged. Money matters are never pleasant, but do not be embarrassed or nervous to ask, because it is best to address billing issues upfront rather than after you receive the bill.
Fourth, be clear with the attorney about your expectations and goals for concluding your case. You want an attorney that understands what your personal needs are, including how you expect your case to be settled, under what time frame, and one who shares your same feelings about the attorney-client relationship. That is not to say that you might come into the office with one expectation in mind, and later learn that your expectation is contrary to relevant law. Your attorney should provide you honest guidance and an assessment of your matter, to ensure that you have a realistic expectation of what can be done after the first consultation.
Fifth and finally, ensure that the attorney understands your expectations and that you are comfortable the attorney will be able to meet them. After you meet with an attorney, you should feel confident that your needs will be met and that you and the attorney share the same understanding of those needs/goals. Do not be afraid to ask the attorney whether he/she can secure x for you. If the attorney cannot, and you expect the attorney to do so, disappointment, dissatisfaction, and a breakdown in the relationship is inevitable. For example, if you need and expect $500 a week in alimony, and the attorney advises you that he or she cannot secure alimony based on the length of marriage. If you continue with that attorney, and have not revised your expectations, you will inevitably be disappointed, even if the attorney is able to secure $100 per week.
Remember, this is your opportunity to interview the lawyer to make sure he or she is the right fit for you. Ask any questions that will help you make an informed decision. Again, just by consulting with an attorney does not mean an attorney-client relationship has been formed. You should be clear when that begins and request a written retainer agreement that will outline all of your rights and the attorneys responsibilities.
First, determine what your needs are. Do you even need an attorney? Consider what type of resolution you are seeking, and what type of attorney is best suited to assist you with your needs. It is not just a matter of whether you need a criminal attorney or a family law attorney. You should consider whether you need the more personal attention of a small firm, or whether you prefer the scaled billing system of a larger firm with multiple paralegals available to attend to your needs. Organize your thoughts prior to meeting with any attorney, including the where, when, who, what, and how, but also with a solid understanding of your expectations.
Second, find an attorney that understands the law related to your legal matter. You want to ensure that you are seeking advise from an attorney that has worked in the particular area you need assistance with. For example, if you are going through a divorce you should consult a divorce / family law attorney and not a personal injury attorney.
Third, ask how the attorney bills for his/her work and whether there are any billing options. Just calling an attorney’s office does not mean you have hired that attorney. One of your first questions to the potential attorney is how services are billed. Will you be billed hourly or based on a flat-fee. You want to know how often you will be provided with invoices, and how much and for what services (for example: is there a charge for phone calls, emails, short meetings, etc.?) you will be charged. Money matters are never pleasant, but do not be embarrassed or nervous to ask, because it is best to address billing issues upfront rather than after you receive the bill.
Fourth, be clear with the attorney about your expectations and goals for concluding your case. You want an attorney that understands what your personal needs are, including how you expect your case to be settled, under what time frame, and one who shares your same feelings about the attorney-client relationship. That is not to say that you might come into the office with one expectation in mind, and later learn that your expectation is contrary to relevant law. Your attorney should provide you honest guidance and an assessment of your matter, to ensure that you have a realistic expectation of what can be done after the first consultation.
Fifth and finally, ensure that the attorney understands your expectations and that you are comfortable the attorney will be able to meet them. After you meet with an attorney, you should feel confident that your needs will be met and that you and the attorney share the same understanding of those needs/goals. Do not be afraid to ask the attorney whether he/she can secure x for you. If the attorney cannot, and you expect the attorney to do so, disappointment, dissatisfaction, and a breakdown in the relationship is inevitable. For example, if you need and expect $500 a week in alimony, and the attorney advises you that he or she cannot secure alimony based on the length of marriage. If you continue with that attorney, and have not revised your expectations, you will inevitably be disappointed, even if the attorney is able to secure $100 per week.
Remember, this is your opportunity to interview the lawyer to make sure he or she is the right fit for you. Ask any questions that will help you make an informed decision. Again, just by consulting with an attorney does not mean an attorney-client relationship has been formed. You should be clear when that begins and request a written retainer agreement that will outline all of your rights and the attorneys responsibilities.