The choice of an attorney is an intensely personal one that can leave many people anxious. How will you know if you made the correct decision? Fortunately, you can vet attorneys before taking them as your counsel. Look for these four crucial factors when choosing an attorney.
Understanding and Communicability
You want to find an attorney who understands your case and what you are expecting and needing from your legal representation. You also want to find a lawyer who will be open in their communications with you and give you updates as the matter proceeds. Look for an attorney who speaks to you frankly and does not use significant amounts of legalese. They need to take the time to make sure you understand what they have to say and explain terms to you.
Specialty
You will not just want any attorney. There are many, many different specialties within the legal field, and you will want to choose someone who is experienced in taking cases like yours. Reputation is also an important thing to look for when choosing an attorney. You will want an attorney with a good record who works for a firm with a good reputation. If you have been accused of a crime, for example, you will want to find a quality criminal defense attorney, like Lowry Law Firm. If you are looking to form a company, a business attorney should be consulted.
Reasonable Fees
Keep in mind that all legal services will be relatively expensive. Most firms charge by the hour, and fees can range from $50 to $1,000 or more per hour. Fees depend on any number of different factors, including location, the attorney’s experience and the prestige of the firm among other factors. You can shop around to find the best value, though never choose on price alone.
Trustworthiness
You must be able to trust your attorney implicitly and completely believe that he or she is going to do everything in their power to help you. Otherwise, you may compromise your own defense. This is why it is very important to have a consultation and get a feeling for each attorney before you choose to enter into a relationship with one. Choose one you find personable and you feel you can trust to handle your case, based on their demeanor and the impression they give.
Look into all of these factors when choosing an attorney. It is an important decision and not one to be made lightly, but you can mitigate the potential problems by doing some research and preparing beforehand. Shop around and find the best counsel to represent you.