Finding a lawyer can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. Most people who have no experience with legal issues often find it hard to trust a lawyer, and rightfully so. The idea of trusting another human being about a legal matter that can turn one’s whole life upside down can be nerve-racking.
To ease the process, here are some tips to help you find a good lawyer.
Ask Your Contacts
Even if you have never encountered a lawyer in your life, there is a possibility that someone in your family or perhaps on your friend list has. Trusting someone who already has gained some good reviews from your kindred circle can be a good decision as they have already been tested and asserted by your friends.
Lawyer should be Responsive
Time is of great essence when it comes to such cases. If your lawyer takes too much time to respond or keeps making excuses to increase the trial period, it will take a long time for you to get out of your case. Your lawyer must be active and quick to respond to your case. He should start working on the case right away. The devotion and motivation of a lawyer determine if he will be able to win the case for you or not. Do not take chances with a lazy one.
Consult with Multiple Lawyers
If the case is sensitive and highly confidential, not sharing complete details is a good idea until you have signed a contract with your lawyer. Although you can find some feedback online, it is not until you meet the lawyer in person that you can be sure if they can handle the case.
The vibes that you get by sitting in the same room with a lawyer matters a great deal. And it is only after you meet multiple lawyers and discuss your case that you can tell which one responds the best and sounds trustworthy.
Prefer the Referrals
Ask a person from a community relevant to your case to help you find a lawyer. For example, if your case is money related or business-related, ask a banker or someone from the business community. Likewise, if your case is about sexual harassment or communal injustice, you can ask a non-profit organization as they have contacts that can prove helpful.
Look Online
The internet is the most global social network. If you do not have any contacts that know of a lawyer, searching online can give you a good head start in your quest. Many lawyers put their advertisements on the internet to reach a wider audience. Most of their biodata and Curriculum Vitae are available there.
The Personality of the Lawyer
While hiring a lawyer one must look for not just a highly majestic looking being who presents himself as omniscient, rather a lawyer that matches your communication pace with whom you can establish a good rapport. Chances are if they can make you feel comfortable, they can do the same to the judge. It is safe to look for someone well-versed, put together, and experienced.
Choose a Case-Specific Lawyer
Remember that not all lawyers are prepared to handle your case, even if they call themselves general- practitioners. You should hire a lawyer who has commendable experience about the laws of your case. Go for the one who has spent his career practising in the specific field of your case.
Different cities can have different rules and regulations. If you get involved in a problem in Liverpool, it’s better to take help from lawyers in Liverpool.
For example, if you have a child custody issue, look for a lawyer who has practised family law and understands the guardianship rules and laws ably.
Flexibility in Profession
Look for someone who is not incommodious during consultation and reluctant to share his knowledge with you. For example, if you are running a business and you need to draft a contract, you would need a lawyer for that. But, if you want to do it on your own, you must understand the laws before drafting one yourself. Choose a lawyer who is flexible enough to let you do that and proofread your draft for advice and criticism.
Developing a Balanced Relationship
Lawyers can be intimidating for a neophyte in law. In critical situations, create a balanced relationship with your lawyer to make sure they understand your requirements. Build an honest and thorough conversation with your lawyer and do not hesitate in sharing the details of your concerns. You need to understand the perspective and ask the lawyer to explain the proceedings if necessary.
Confidence to Stand in Courtroom
You must look for an experienced lawyer who can confidently stand in the courtroom to defend your case. Lawyers who are hesitant to speak up for their clients cannot be trusted in the courtroom. Your lawyer should be able to fight for you aggressively. He should take every chance to minimise your penalty or reduce your sentence.
Clear Billing Structure
Find a lawyer who explains every little detail of the billing structure with you. A reliable attorney will not hesitate to explain every service they are going to provide you. Typically, the expenses include the cost of the court, copies of transcripts, court reporter, private investigator, travelling, and meals. Ask your lawyer to give all the information in a written form in a direct language that is understandable for a layman. Make sure you have got all this information at the very beginning.
Go with Your Intuition
Keeping in mind all these above-mentioned points is important, it always narrows down to your gut instinct. Even if you are a neophyte, you are an autonomous being. Being confident in your own decision and having a positive attitude is the most helpful in fighting a case. If you feel like a lawyer can do your case justice and you feel confident in their abilities, believe in yourself and just go for it.
