Many people can go their whole lives without having to hire a lawyer besides for a handful of simple legal matters. Others find themselves in the constant position of having to locate legal representation for one reason or another. Regardless of which of these categories you may fall into, it’s extremely important that every time you find yourself in need of a lawyer, that you know how to find and hire the right one for you. Below you can uncover a few steps you can take in order to make your next search for a lawyer a successful one.
When you first begin looking for a lawyer, you may be in a rush to find legal counsel fast. On the other hand, that is made nearly impossible by the sheer amount of legal firms in North Carolina. That is why it is important to do a tad bit of research right now while you are in not in need of an attorney. Knowing who you will call in the case that you do need representation will make the entire legal process much easier to navigate. With that being said, over the next week or so, consider asking friends and family members if they have used a local Matthews attorney and what their experience was like working with them. Chances are you will hear the same names over and over again when it comes to who the most trusted and reliable law firms are in your area.
Before you begin calling prospective attorneys or law firms, you want to make sure that you can briefly but accurately explain your case. This means being about to spout off two sentences about your current situation and what you need from your potential lawyer. An example of this would be, “ I was recently involved in an accident at work and my employer won’t pay the medical bills.”
You may think you can hire just any old lawyer to represent you regardless of what your case involves but this is not the case. Lawyers have practice areas that make them capable of representing people who hire them for cases specific to their practiced area of law. Make sure when you are looking for potential lawyers that you pick a law firm with lawyers who have multiple practice areas.
When you have narrowed your list down to a handful of law firms, it’s a good idea to email each of them. This email should include a brief account of your case and inquire about scheduling an initial consultation. When you meet your prospective lawyer you can give them a more thorough explanation of your situation. Then it will be time to talk cost. Lawyers charge in several different ways. Some lawyers will offer an hourly rate, while others will charge a flat fee. Your lawyer may also require a contingency fee if your case could result in a cash award (or damages).
Once you have discussed your options with several lawyers, it’s time to choose who will be representing you. When you have chosen, it’s time to hire that attorney and sign a retainer agreement. This agreement will basically outline what your relationship with your lawyer will entail. It will also outline the different sort of work your attorney will be responsible for as well as how much representation will cost you.
If you are interested in learning more about what your options are when it comes to your personal legal matter, contact Sussman Law Firm today. We can help you navigate your legal matters and be a trusted guide for you anytime you need legal assistance.
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