You've decided to seek the legal advice of an attorney, but you have no idea what to consider nor where to go to search for the right one in your area. There's no need to feel overwhelmed. Review this video clip for the steps you should take to start your lawyer search. Access all the material referenced in this video and more here.
Select a Lawyer Video Transcript
You've decided to seek the legal advice of an attorney, but you have no idea how to find the right one in your area. Where should you start?
First, you may need to learn more about your legal problem so that you contact the right attorney. Start by going online and visiting the "Understand Your Legal Issue" section of lawyers.com. There you can access helpful articles, message boards and other legal resources.
Next, Search the web to find a list of attorneys in your area. Start with:
The Find a Lawyer Directory on lawyers.com. You can search for lawyers in your city or state that practice in the area of law you need, for example, divorce or auto accident.
Another resource is Attorney Match Service on lawyers.com. You can submit a request, in your own words. You'll then receive a list of attorneys interested in discussing your case and you get to decide who to contact from that list.
Also consider general search engines, like Google and Yahoo. You can use keywords that describe your legal issue.
There are many attorney organizations, such as your state or city bar associations, which have attorney referral services.
And finally, don't forget referrals from friends or family.
Once you've made your initial selections, use a checklist, like those found on lawyers.com, to narrow your choices to 3 or 4 names. Contact each lawyer and schedule a consultation. Most lawyers will meet with you at no charge for the initial consultation.
Don't be surprised if the attorney can't meet with you right away. At the same time, a wait of more than a week might be a sign that the attorney is too busy to give new cases adequate attention.
Remember that the initial consultation is the most important factor in your decision to hire an attorney. Ask yourself: do they listen well, understand your problem and do you feel confident that they can solve it in a cost-effective way? Can they give you references?
During the consultation, be sure to ask for a copy of the lawyer's retainer agreement. This agreement acts as a guide on how he or she charges for services. In addition to attorney's fees, ask about the costs of your matter, which may include charges for services such as copying, trial exhibits and expert witness fees.
Last, but certainly not least, follow your gut when deciding who to hire. Sometimes it can be your best guide. If you don't have a good rapport with your prospective lawyer, don't hesitate to find another one who you feel more comfortable with. If you need help finding more attorney choices in your area, go to the "Find a Lawyer" section on lawyers.com.
And, if you have questions about how to deal with other life events, visit the Life Events section on lawyers.com for other helpful video clips.