There are more lawyers in the United States now than there ever has been.
That means you have a lot of options when you’re looking for a lawyer, but that can also be overwhelming. How are you supposed to find the right one for your case?
We’ve put together this guide to help you learn how to find a lawyer that meets your needs.
So let’s get started!
Start With Your Friends and Family
You should start your search with your friends and family. Ask if they’ve had to hire a lawyer in the past few years and, if they have, whether or not they would recommend them. Talk to them about their experience and how the lawyer they worked with handled their case.
This will give you an insider’s review from a person you know you can trust.
Take Your Search to Google
If your friends and family members weren’t able to recommend a lawyer (or even if they did), you should turn to Google next.
Make a simple search for lawyers in your area. For example, you can type in something like “lawyers near me” and get hundreds of results.
But don’t just click on the top one and call it good. Spend some time exploring the options that pop up, and come up with a list of your top three to five choices.
Read Online Reviews
Next, read through the online reviews of the lawyers you chose. If you aren’t sure where to look, you should start with websites like Yelp or the Better Business Bureau. Lawyers.com and Findlaw.com are also good resources to check out.
These reviews will give you a better idea of how the lawyer works and handles cases. You’ll also be able to see whether past clients had a good or bad experience.
If you can’t find any reviews for a lawyer, you may want to avoid them or proceed with caution.
Make Sure They Have the Proper Licensing and Education
Any lawyer you hire should have all the proper licensing and education, which they should have listed on their website. Make sure they’re on at least one lawyer directory.
If you don’t see these things, that’s a big red flag.
Set up a Consultation with Your Top Choices
Once you’ve narrowed down your list to the top two or three choices, you should schedule a consultation with each lawyer. A phone call will do the trick, but you should do your best to see them in person. This will give you a good feel for the lawyer.
After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time with your lawyer, and you’re trusting them to represent you in court. You want someone you can feel comfortable with. If you don’t feel comfortable with one of the lawyers, even if you don’t know why you should take your case somewhere else.
During your consultation, you should also ask plenty of questions. Don’t be shy or self-conscious. The lawyer should be happy to explain even the smallest details to you.
Not sure what to ask?
Here are a few questions to help you get started.
Do You Have Any References?
You’ve already read reviews online, but you should also ask the lawyer for references. This will give you a way to get in touch with their past clients, and they’ll be able to tell you more about the lawyer.
If a lawyer doesn’t want to provide references, that’s not a good sign. Their past clients may not have anything good to say.
How Much Experience Do You Have?
You probably don’t want to trust your case to a lawyer who’s just starting out. Make sure the lawyer has several years of experience handling cases like yours.
And don’t forget to ask about their specialty.
For example, a personal injury lawyer might handle anything from car accidents to slip and fall claims. However, you’ll want to ensure you find someone who specializes in your type of case. This will ensure you get the best representation possible.
How Many Client Do You Have?
This might seem like an odd question, but it will help you determine how much time the lawyer will be able to dedicate to your case.
If the lawyer has several clients already, that isn’t necessarily a bad sign. However, you should ask them how they plan to handle your case with the workload they already have.
How Can I Get in Contact With You?
Your lawyer should keep you in the loop through every step of your case. Because of this, you should be able to get in contact with them at any point.
Ask them about the communication policy (you can read more about that in this article).
If it seems like they don’t have good communication with their clients, you may need to take your business somewhere else.
What Are Your Thoughts on My Case?
During a consultation, the lawyer may not be able to go over every detail about your case. However, they should be able to walk you through the basic process they would take to win.
And you should ask if they think you can win or not.
If a lawyer doesn’t think your case is worth fighting for, you shouldn’t hire them. You want your lawyer to believe they can win your case without a doubt.
How to Find a Lawyer That Fits Your Needs
Learning how to find a lawyer isn’t a quick process, so be patient. You’ll need to spend some time doing your own research and sitting through consultations.
But this work is worth it.
If you follow the tips on this list, you’ll end up with the best lawyer for your needs. Are you looking for some other helpful legal tips?
Make sure you check out the rest of our blog!
