You might need to search for attorney for various reasons at some point or the other in your life. And finding and hiring the right lawyer could make a crucial difference in your case. How do you hire the right legal representative, though? It can be a daunting task but not an impossible one.
Four tips for hiring the right lawyer
While there are plenty of qualified lawyers out there, you need to search for attorney best suited for your situation. Along with checking that they have a license to practice in your state, have an ethical work record, and have the legal specialization and experience to handle your case, it is necessary to consider several other factors. The following four tips might help you to hire the right lawyer:
- Find out about the lawyer’s legal fees
It is essential to find out what the lawyer charges for the legal services they provide. Generally, lawyers charge by the hour, by contingency (a percentage of the recovery), or accept a flat fee. They may also charge you for additional expenses related to your case, such as legal research, private investigation, travel, filing a lawsuit, hiring an expert witness, acquiring copies of court transcripts, and correspondence. Before you hire them, ask the lawyer to detail all expected costs and provide you with the information in clear language in writing.
- Consider your comfort level with the lawyer
Legal cases do not generally resolve overnight, and you may have to spend a lot of time in the lawyer’s company as you work together to get the desired results. You may also have to discuss sensitive personal, business, or financial matters with them. That is why it is necessary to hire a lawyer who is non-judgmental and with whom you can have a good personal equation.
At the same time, you should be on your guard with lawyers who are too glib and make too many promises to solicit your business. No one can predict the exact outcomes of legal matters. So, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably may not be genuine or legal.
- Ask the lawyer for a formal engagement letter
After you decide to hire a lawyer, you need to enter into a legal contract with them for your mutual protection. The formal engagement letter should describe your legal case and the exact terms and conditions of your legal relationship with the lawyer. These might include a non-disclosure agreement, the lawyer’s fee rate, anticipated additional expenses, fee payment structure, rules for dispute resolution and relationship termination, and so on.
It is important to read the engagement letter carefully and make sure that you understand and agree with all the legal conditions. Ask the lawyer for clarification if you are unclear about any term. If you do not agree with something, ask them to change or remove it. Do not allow them to pressure you into going along with something if it bothers you. Keep in mind that once you sign the engagement letter, you are legally obliged to honor the terms and conditions detailed in it.
- Learn how you can fire the lawyer from your case
You and your lawyer may begin your legal association on the right foot, but it is impossible to predict how things might change further down the road. Perhaps your relationship with them might take a turn for the worse for some reason. You could become less than satisfied with their legal representation and the way they are handling your case. It may have come to your attention that they have engaged in unethical conduct that could backfire on you.
Disputes with your lawyer can arise for many reasons, and then you may find it necessary to discontinue the association. When you fire the lawyer from your case, your contract with them may require you to pay their fees or still give them a percentage of an eventual settlement. If you have a problem with that, you can use the fee dispute mechanisms available in most states. You can contact the local bar association or the state bar association and make sure that you get a fair and ethical resolution.
