Questions to ask when hiring a lawyer

Hiring a lawyer is a little like choosing a car. You know the kind of thing you’re looking for, and there are many options, but you would be foolish not to put in the leg work in reviewing all benefits and features and deciding whether the user reviews and testimonials stack up. It can be a slow process, depending on what you’re looking for and how flexible you wish to be.

Let’s say, for example, you require an Uber accident lawyer based in Fort Lauderdale or a medical negligence lawyer in Kansas or someone who knows about contract law in Michigan. How would you know what questions to ask when hiring a lawyer? Let’s take a look. 

Experience in handling your type of claim

This may seem like a no-brainer, because only somebody who is not paying one bit of attention would attempt to hire a personal injury lawyer to handle their employment law claim, for example. Or they can advise you what to do after an accident in your car. But simply hiring a lawyer that advertises the services you require may not be the full picture. After all, there will likely be several lawyers in your area like Los Angeles employment lawyer, who may be able to handle your case, so how do you choose? 

Start by asking a couple of basic things like how long have they been practicing in this area of law and what is their track record for success. Ask about fees, and who else is likely to be working on the claim as the case progresses (are these fees also included?). Judge whether these fees are in keeping with your research.

Approaching Large Legal Firms 

When dealing with a smaller legal firm, with a staff of below forty employees, for example, you are likely to speak to maybe one or two switchboard operators and your call will go through to a dedicated team that you will know by name before long. However, when dealing with a much larger law firm, you may miss out on this personalised feel. 

This is when your questions at the hiring stage may need to change in order to make sure you are happy with the lawyer you are hiring. For example, you may wish to ask for a percentage share in terms of caseload – if the company’s resources are weighted towards other types of claims, you could be in contact with a team that relies on outsourcing certain tasks, which could lead to chain of communication issues and finger pointing when things go wrong. 

Always Go For The Best

It should go without saying that you should always try to go for the best when finding a Los Angeles employment lawyer and now, the best might be dictated by other factors like your budget. And that’s absolutely fine. Don’t put yourself into more trouble by hiring someone you can’t afford. Go for the best not only in skill level, but also the best for your situation. 
Figuring out whether the lawyer you’re talking to is will be down to their responses. Always ensure they have come across cases like yours before. And that they did well with them. If you’re unsure about a lawyer or law firm, head online. All good lawyers should have an easy-to-navigate website like the one Dennis Hernandez has. A good Google search can also bring up information about previous cases, so it’s worth your time.

Above all…

… be prepared to make a personal judgement on whether prompt and confident answers were provided. Where things feel slightly scripted with hollow and rounded non-specific answers to very direct questions, your chances of feeling valued and developing confidence in your legal team are likely to be slim.