Acquiring the aid of a trusted professional is vital. The lawyer you choose can significantly influence the outcome of your case. These seven tips will help you to hire a lawyer capable of dealing with your issue in a professional and trusted manner.
1. Know What Type of Lawyer You Need
You need to determine the kind of lawyer you seek. Gone are the days where jack-of-all-trades lawyers exist. Nowadays, attorneys specialize in fields since the law has evolved and it’s continually changing.
Beware of any lawyer who deems himself knowledgeable in most fields. Their expertise may be insufficient in handling your specific case. Instead, opt to hire specialized lawyers in the area of your need.
Here is a breakdown of the common types of law. This will help better evaluate your situation and determine the specialized lawyer you require.
- Civil Rights
- Criminal Law
- Environmental Law
- Employment and Labor
- Health Law
- Immigration Law
- Family Law
- Tax Law
- Real Estate Law
2. Talk to Friends, Family or Colleagues
Gaining valuable referrals from your friends or colleagues will boost your search. Start by finding out how well the lawyer handled their case. Was he professional? Were there any communication problems? How well versed with the subject was he or she? These questions ensure that you get some hindsight on who you may be dealing with.
Often than not, working with an esteemed recommended lawyer can lead to the same positive outcome and quality service.
3. Check Social Media
Fortunately, if your leads bore no fruits, you can scour these platforms for better results.
- Google+
Clients who hire services of professionals with an online presence tend to feel more secure in their choices. The fact that you can see their faces, work environment, colleagues, former clientele, credentials helps assure you that they may be trustworthy.
4. Go to Professional Law Websites
True professionals and law firms have a website with content for clients to see. Location plays a vital role, so browse the internet to find firms nearest to you. If you live within Gold Coast, Australia, you can consider hiring Rawlings Criminal Law Gold Coast. Besides, looking at the layout of the site can help you determine the following:
- Authenticity – Some startups may run a default website without much appeal. Professional firms ensure that their site is aesthetic to capture more audience.
- Content – What you read speaks volumes about the firm. Fluff content without significance can come off as inexperience and lack of knowledge.
- Contacts – The contacts displayed on the website should be clear and reachable. Mobile numbers that ring and go straight to voicemail should be a red-flag.
- Reviews – These websites are bound to have testimonials sections. Read through these panels and see what most past clients have to say.
- Biography – The “About” section should display relevant information about the firm. Things like location, legal associations, charters, and areas of expertise.
5. Run a Background Check
After drafting a few lawyers to your liking, begin to shortlist even further. Run some background checks using their social media handles, testimonials, and previous work. Sometimes, reputable firms and lawyers may have a media presence, especially when handling significant cases or working in small towns. Use this to your advantage.
6. Schedule a Meeting
Reach out to the attorney of your preference and organize a meeting. Most professionals don’t offer free legal advice over the phone. Scheduling a face-to-face appointment helps them better under your particular concern. You also get to gauge their character and the manner they carry themselves. These minute details are difficult to spot without a physical presence.
7. Clarity on Expectations
To seal the deal, ensure that you have the relevant information you need before officially hiring the professional or firm. These details can be things like:
- Fees
- Additional Charges
- Documentation required
- Working time frame
- Court hearings
- Expectations
Understanding these underlying factors will put you in the right headspace. The last thing you need is disappointments simply because you signed a contract without knowing the repercussions beforehand.
Conclusion
With our list of seven tips, you now know what you need to do to find a trustworthy attorney. By putting some of the ideas into practice, your search will be fruitful.
7 Tips to Hire a Trusted Lawyer
About the Author:
Kim Hemphry is a passionate expert in the areas of Legal Matters, learning and education. She has been featured on over 50 leading Legal and education sites and is a modern thought leader in the field. More about her interests and articles on her site – http://kimhemphry.com/
I am Bhagwati Suthar, Founder of Jobiba & TezLife.com. I am a Blogger, Affiliate Marketer and a Digital Marketer from Udaipur, India. At JobibaBlog, We share articles about Blogging, Marketing & Advertising, Business and Tech Tips.
