10 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Law Firm To Represent You

May 21

Written By Law Offices of Dizengoff & Yost Immigration Lawyers Philadelphia

10 Important Things To Look For When Choosing A Law Office To Represent You

1. Experience With Your Case Type

Many law firms will have legal expertise in their respective fields of practice but may not have the same level of experience handling different types of matters. Choosing an attorney that knows what to look for in a specific situation and what to do when encountering it.

For example, if you’re looking for a small business lawyer specializing in brick-and-mortar setups, they probably won’t be the best choice for handling international commercial disputes. It’s also important to note that certain law firms have worked with certain types of businesses for many years. This helps them understand the dynamics and complexities of the particular business model and what to look out for as your law firm grows or encounters additional issues.

2. Expertise In Your Local Area

Another important factor is whether the law firm you’re working with has experience practicing locally. For example, if a law firm has been working for over a decade in an area or town that doesn’t overlap with yours. They may not be up-to-date on the latest laws and practices relevant to your situation. If this is the case, they could very well miss something or make a mistake. This could end up costing your business tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines or damages.

It’s also important to remember that different cities have different laws. While many areas share similar legislation and regulations, others don’t, meaning that rules and regulations may vary from one state or city to another. They might not understand the nitty-gritty of your particular situation, such as contracts, zoning, and local regulations.

3. Advocacy Style

Many lawyers are experts at telling people what they want to hear. They’re trained to explain the law and give you advice based on precedent and facts. An excellent lawyer will let you know what is right for you and won’t just tell you what is best or easiest for them. In this respect, a good Motorcycle Accident Lawyer will give you a realistic evaluation of your case and recommend a course of action that will make sure you’re protected from the beginning. They’ll take the time to explain why they’re making the recommendation and what benefits it will bring to you and your company.

4. Fee Schedules

Many law firms will have a price schedule that they’ll ask you to sign. Some won’t tell you the complete breakdown of their fees until you’ve already signed a contract agreeing to their services. For example, some law firms will charge you for the total upfront. They will give you a refund of the original fee when they’re done. Others will tell you exactly how much you’ll be paying for their specific services. You’re looking for a law firm that won’t take advantage of your company during tough times.

Looking at a Personal Injury Lawyer’s complete fee schedule will give you an idea of how much they expect to charge for your case. Also, how much do they expect to get paid if it goes through? The lawyer will estimate the cost of working on your case and any extra fees they might bill you for as the case progresses (such as hourly rates, deposits, and recoupments).

5. Employment History

Every person has a past, and that includes lawyers. Your future lawyer will handle your business’s assets and finances, so you’ll want to ensure that you’re working with someone with fair treatment of employees, past clients, and others. For example, suppose you’re going to be working with a lawyer who has close ties to the opposing party in your case or other businesses in your area where you do business. In that case, they might pressure you into making deals or deciding from which they benefit.

To get an idea of how honest and fair your prospective law firm is, do things like check out their online reviews or research any articles written about them recently.

6. Diversity

Choosing a law firm that has a diverse staff so that all the attorneys you’ll be working with are knowledgeable about your culture, circumstances, business, or industry. For example, a law firms with many lawyers from the same ethnic background could be more likely to recommend decisions based on moral or financial considerations.

If you’re a diverse business seeking legal advice, make sure that your attorneys also reflect that diversity. Hire legal counsel from a law firm that shows they understand the challenges of your particular situation and will work with you to find amicable solutions to problems.

7. Reputation

When hiring a law firm, this is one of the most important factors to consider. Ask around in your circle to see what others think about the law firms you’re considering. Have they heard it mentioned negatively? If so, why? Your next step should be to look up how the law firm has performed over the past few years and how much money their clients have won or lost in litigation.

Last but not least, it is important to check out the lawyer’s reputation online. If you find any negative comments, this could be an indicator of loose business practices or a need to take extra steps to verify your legal representation.

8. Communication

A Car Accident Lawyer will let you know what their process is when it comes to communication. They will promptly return your phone calls and emails, and you should have easy access to the attorney for any questions that arise. A skilled attorney attempts to communicate with you as much as possible instead of just talking through the situation with other law firm members.

Your attorney should be open to you having input into the case. The questions you ask should be answered without confusion at any time and should be answered clearly. Communication is essential, especially when your business is facing legal trouble.

9. Problem-Solving Ability And Negotiation Skills

When you are sued or are suing someone for any reason, you will need a knowledgeable and highly skilled attorney to help you navigate through the legal system and come out on top. An attorney with problem-solving abilities is someone who can expect every potential situation that could arise in your case. They will have a plan of action at the ready when a problem arises. A true professional also knows how to negotiate with opposing counsel to get fair compensation for an injured party or business owner.

10. Professional Appearance

Last but not least, while it might seem superficial, you should consider how your lawyer and the rest of their staff appear at work. Does the office look clean? Are the employees dressed professionally and appropriately for work? Developing an excellent reputation in any business takes time. You can tell pretty quickly if a company cares about how they appear to others by looking at their office’s appearance and reviewing other aspects of their business with which customers might interact.

These are guidelines that a good law firm should follow, and if your lawyer doesn’t have offices and staff that reflect these standards, you may want to reconsider working with them.