Qualities to look for when Choosing a Lawyer
The intricacies of the legal system baffle many a layman, thus a lawyer is necessary for even simple matters of the law system. No matter why you need to retain a lawyer, there are certain qualities for which you should search in legal representation, which can make all the difference in the eventual ramifications of your legal journey. Consider searching for the following attributes when conducting your search.
Legal expertise
First and foremost, you are going to want someone who is a good lawyer. They should be able to navigate the treacherous waters of our legal system with the ease of an experienced journeyman. They should have the legal knowledge necessary to accomplish what you need. A lot of this knowledge comes from experience, and this is often a good indicator of expertise. Length of work is not always directly correlated to quality, however, thus you should be careful about equating it without due consideration. If you can, you might want to try to ascertain the records of the candidates you are considering as well as their past work. One excellent method for finding a good lawyer is to get a personal recommendation. This is especially useful if the recommendation comes from someone who had the same legal need as you. Meet with the lawyers before you sign and be sure that you trust that he or she is the best choice for you.
Someone with fair pricing
Lawyers can charge $300 an hour or even more, arguably exorbitant amounts in these thin times. You may want to look to find a lawyer that charges an amount that, even if seemingly astronomical, is at least in line with his or her peers. Furthermore, much of his or her work will be done outside of your presence, so you want to be sure that you trust that he or she will only charge for the time actually spent, and that he or she will only spend the time necessary for your case.
Someone who will listen to you and answer your questions in a timely fashion
You do not work for your lawyer – your lawyer works for you. And yet some lawyers seem almost to forget this. You should retain someone who will be there when you need him or her. They should answer calls, e-mails and requests in a timely fashion. They should value your time and be there when you need them, at least to a reasonable extent.
