In 2022, there were over 1.3 million lawyers in the US, and 27% of them were concentrated in California and New York. This means that if you need legal consultation, there should be plenty of options local to you.
However, not all lawyers are the same. One may be fantastic for your friend, but mediocre for you. For this reason, you need to ask the right questions, as this will help you sort the good from the bad.
In this article, we’ll discuss seven questions you can ask during a legal consultation to see if the lawyer’s the right fit for you.
1. How Much Experience Do You Have?
It’s very possible that someone fresh out of law school is just as good as a seasoned attorney. But do you really want to test that theory if you have serious legal matters?
The fact is, it’s better to work with a lawyer who has decades of experience practicing law. This ensures that they’ve handled numerous cases, especially ones like yours. In addition, this means they’ve run across and handled the many hurdles that can come with opening a law firm and working with clients.
As a result, choosing an attorney who has, say, 20 years of experience will increase your chances of having a smooth and easy time.
2. What’s Your Specialization?
This may not be a question that everyone needs to ask, but it’s still beneficial. For example, if you have a general legal question, then it’s not necessary to get a lawyer who has a specialization.
On the other hand, if you have a niche issue, and it can have severe ramifications, then you’ll want to seek an attorney who specializes in this field and has extensive experience as well. For instance, if you’ve been hurt at work, you’ll want a lawyer who has lots of experience in workers’ compensation cases. Or if you need help with your business, then they should specialize in commercial legal solutions.
On that note, you should also as them how many cases they’ve handled that were like yours. Even if they have the right specialization, and have years of experience, it’s still possible they haven’t come across anything like your case. So you want to double-check that you’re picking someone who can confidently process yours.
3. How Would You Handle My Case?
Be aware that during a legal consultation, most (if not all) lawyers won’t give you specific legal advice. However, they should still give you a thorough explanation of how they’d approach your case. This benefits you both, as not only will you be able to see if they’ve got the experience and knowledge to back up what they’re saying, but you can also determine whether or not their style of approach is good for you.
For example, if you’re about to have an amicable divorce, then an aggressive attorney isn’t suitable. But they’d be excellent if you’re battling it out with a stubborn ex.
4. What Are the Possible Outcomes of My Case?
Unfortunately, there are some legal professionals who will tell potential clients what they want to hear so they can get more work. These people are unscrupulous, so be wary. You should also be careful with lawyers who predict a single outcome, as this is difficult to do.
An outstanding attorney will be transparent about all possible outcomes, whether they’re good or bad. They’ll reference similar cases and how those turned out, and most importantly, they won’t promise to get a specific outcome, nor will they predict exactly how much you can expect to win.
5. How Long Will My Case Take?
Again, a good attorney won’t give you a specific timeline. However, they should be experienced enough to give you an educated guess on how long it’ll take to resolve your case.
Reputable lawyers won’t give you a dubiously short timeframe. Less trustworthy ones might, just to attract more clients.
You should stick with ones who give you reasonable timeframes and communicate it straight away. This shows that they’re considerate about the things you’ll need to do, such as taking time off work or finding babysitters.
6. Who Will Work on My Case?
Often, the lawyer you meet with won’t be the sole person on your case. So it’s important to ask if anyone else will be involved, and who.
For instance, a lawyer may collaborate with other attorneys in their firm, such as partners or associates. Or they might use paralegals to ease their burden. Either way, ask to meet with these people too, so you can familiarize yourself with them and see if they’re a good fit as well.
7. How Much Will My Case Cost?
Attorneys will have different payment structures, so be clear on what they are before you commit to anything. In most cases, they’ll charge based on contingency, so you don’t have to pay them a cent until you get a settlement.
Other lawyers may charge by the hour or have a flat fee. Plus, they may have additional costs and fees. Ask how they charge and what the billing process will be like.
This is also a good time to ask if there are different rates if the lawyer will use associates and/or paralegals.
Get Quality Legal Consultation
It’s never fun to have trouble with the law, but getting quality legal consultation can lessen the sting a bit.
While you have a plethora of choices, it’s important to take your time and ask these questions before you hire a lawyer. Not only will this make your case go smoother, but it can also decrease the chances of bad outcomes. Furthermore, you’ll avoid paying exorbitant fees for subpar services.
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