Finding the right attorney can be one of the most important steps you take towards winning your case. There are many different attorneys out there, and it is important to find one that has dealt with your specific legal issue in the past and that you get along with personally.
A good place to start your search is to ask for referrals from friends or business find attorney associates who have used lawyers in the past. You can also contact your local bar association and they may be able to provide you with a list of attorneys that have experience in your type of case. Then, check out the attorney’s website and look at their background and education to see if they are a good fit for your needs.
You should also ask the attorney for references from previous clients and request to see any documents that they may have pertaining to your case. You can also ask about the lawyer’s success rate in handling similar cases. While the lawyer cannot guarantee that they will win your case, they should be able to give you an idea of what results you can reasonably expect. Also, be sure to find out about any misconduct or disciplinary history the attorney may have, as this can be a red flag.
After you have compiled a list of potential candidates, make appointments to talk to them in person. Most attorneys offer free consultations, but if they do charge for an initial meeting, be sure to find out in advance so you can prepare. Bring any documents you think are pertinent to your case with you to the consultation and be prepared to answer any questions the attorney may have.
During the initial meeting, pay attention to how you feel about the attorney’s personality and how well you get along with him or her. You will need to work with your lawyer for a long period of time, so it is important that you have a good working relationship with him or her.
Once you have found a lawyer that you like and trust, you should sign an engagement letter or fee agreement with them. This will spell out the attorney’s responsibilities and your responsibilities as well as how they will bill you for their services. Make sure that you understand the entire agreement before signing it. Also, if you ever have a problem with your lawyer, it is important to communicate this immediately so that the situation can be resolved quickly and amicably. This will help prevent the situation from deteriorating into an expensive lawsuit.