When you find yourself facing charges or need help understanding the legal implications of the situation you’re facing, a lawyer is your best friend. They can help you navigate the often complex legal system, and translate confusing legal jargon. Unfortunately, choosing the right lawyer isn’t as straightforward as it might seem.
There are all sorts of things to consider before hiring the right person. After all, it’s a significant decision that will impact the overall outcome of your legal matter. To help you avoid the same challenges that people have made before you, here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid making when choosing a lawyer.
Forgetting Specialization
One of the biggest mistakes you can make throughout your search is forgetting the importance of specialization. Remember, law is an incredibly vast subject, with all sorts of different areas. You want to find someone that specializes in the particular area that you need help with. Hire a lawyer who has experience handling your type of case and has a good success rate. Make sure you know their background and track record to ensure that they can handle your kind of case effectively.
Not Reading Reviews
In today’s world, online reputation is everything. Read the reviews of candidates and hear what people are saying. Failing to read reviews could lead to missing important information like how responsive a lawyer is, or how they talk to their clients. Take the time to go through each review to get the best possible feel for the type of lawyer you’re about to hire. Remember, one bad review doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true. However, if the same issue keeps coming up in comments, then it’s a pretty good indication that it’s probably accurate.
Not Having a Consultation
Some people are in such a rush to hire a lawyer that they hire one without an initial in-person consultation. However, consultation is important not only for the client but also for the lawyer. It gives you a chance to talk to each other and ensure that you’re on the same page.
Not everyone is going to be the right fit, so a consultation is the perfect opportunity to assess how you interact. You want to pay attention to how they listen, and how they communicate, and of course, you want to go over their policies. How often do they say they’ll get back to you? Is everything done electronically, or will you be required to come to their office to sign in person? This kind of information is important to know from the beginning, and a consultation will cover all of that.
Not Going Over Costs
One of the tricky things about lawyers is that they may not always be transparent when it comes to their pricing— hence their shaky reputations. Before you commit to their services, you want to discuss how much they’re asking for, and what their projected final cost will be. Ask whether they require money upfront, or if they only ask for payment if they win your case. Failing to clarify the financial aspect of your lawyer-client relationship could be disastrous.