Choosing the right attorney is an important decision that requires careful consideration. It is often best to choose one who has extensive experience in the specific area of law that you need assistance with.
Attorneys in larger firms have access to resources that might benefit your case, and can help you avoid unnecessary costs. However, you must also consider their fees when selecting an attorney.
1. Look at their website
If you want to find the best lawyer, you should first check out their website. It will give you a good idea of how they present themselves to their clients. A good lawyer should have a clean, professional-looking site that puts their clients at ease. It should also include information on the types of cases they take, how much their services cost and how long their case will last. It is also important to find out whether or not they charge for consultations.
If the lawyer’s website doesn’t have this information, it’s a red flag. You should also ask for references from past clients. If the attorney doesn’t have any references, you should move on to another candidate. It is also helpful to get referrals from other professionals, such as accountants, insurance agents and real estate brokers. They often have experience working with business lawyers and can provide you with a valuable recommendation.
Lawyers are a little different than other businesses, as they are restricted from making certain claims on their marketing materials. However, that doesn’t mean that they can’t have a great website. A lawyer’s website can act as a central hub for communication with prospects and existing clients through email, phone, live chat, social media and more. It can also help establish credibility and trust through testimonials, case studies, blog writing, bar and association memberships and more.
For example, this business litigation law firm website uses an attractive design and simple messaging to put their audience at ease. This helps them build trust with their prospective clients by showing that they understand the challenges of running a business and how to help them succeed.
The website for this personal injury firm is easy to navigate, with clear and concise text that gets straight to the point. It also features a list of case results to prove that they have the experience and knowledge to win your case.
Founded in 1981, Best Lawyers is the original lawyer ranking company with their trademarked “Purely Peer Review” methodology. They produce local, national and international rankings for attorneys and firms in virtually every practice area imaginable. They also publish a magazine and offer advertising opportunities.
2. Ask for references
If you want to get to know an attorney a little bit better before scheduling a consultation, ask them for a list of past clients. You may be able to get a sense of their personality from what former clients have had to say about them. This can also help you determine if you’ll be a good fit for one another and whether or not they are experienced enough to take on your case.
It is also a good idea to find out if they are listed in Best Lawyers. The Best Lawyers in America is a directory of attorneys who have been rated by their peers in the legal industry. The directory has been published for over three decades and is considered the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. This year, Best Lawyers analyzed over 12 million votes and included more than 53,000 attorneys across 146 practice areas and all 50 states.
Ideally, you should speak with several attorneys before choosing one to represent you in your case. You can use tools like FindLaw to narrow your search based on factors like geographic location, language and free consultations. You can also use the site to find out more about the laws in your state and how they pertain to your situation.
Once you have found a few lawyers that meet your criteria, it’s time to start asking for references. Many people are reluctant to provide references, but it’s important that you don’t take it personally if someone declines. Before you ask, think about why they may be hesitant and try to understand their perspective. If you suspect that they may decline, consider preparing alternate referees.
Several Sher Garner attorneys have been named in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, including five lawyers who were named “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas and more than 30 attorneys included in the guide’s Ones to Watch list. The guides are based on an exhaustive peer review evaluation process in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers.
3. Schedule a consultation
Once you have a list of potential attorneys, contact each and schedule a consultation. Typically, attorneys will schedule free consultations for prospective clients to determine if they are a good fit. During the consultation, attorneys will ask questions about your situation and provide you with legal options.
If you have any specific questions, be sure to bring them with you to the consultation. This will help to ensure that the attorney has all of the information necessary to provide a good assessment. Also, be sure to bring any relevant court documents, transcripts, orders or other evidence that may have a bearing on your case.
Many attorneys will also provide you with a copy of their fee schedule at the consultation. This will allow you to compare fees and costs among potential attorneys. Generally speaking, attorneys charge between $100-$400 for their hourly rates. However, it is important to remember that the cheapest lawyer is not necessarily the best, and the most expensive attorney is not necessarily the worst.
In addition to the Best Lawyers lists, there are several other organizations that publish lawyer rankings. These rankings are based on confidential peer feedback surveys, and only lawyers who have been selected by their peers are included in the rankings. The attorneys that are chosen to be in the top of their respective practice areas and regions are considered the best in their fields.
Attorney rankings are a common form of attorney marketing, and they have become increasingly popular as more people use the Internet to find attorneys and law firms. The rankings are often used to increase an attorney’s visibility and credibility, but they should be taken with a grain of salt. It is important to note that an award or designation from a particular organization does not guarantee that an attorney will be successful in handling your case or that you will receive a positive outcome.
A quick and easy way to locate the best lawyers in your area is to visit a website like FindLaw. This site provides an online directory of hundreds of attorneys across the United States, and it is easy to search by specific geographic locations and practice areas. The website even allows you to narrow your results based on your language preferences. If you are looking for an experienced, knowledgeable attorney in your area, be sure to check out the attorneys on FindLaw.
4. Ask for a fee estimate
When you schedule a consultation, it’s a good idea to ask about their fee estimate. While most attorneys charge between $100-$400 per hour, the rate varies depending on their experience and caseload. Ideally, you want to find an attorney who can help you resolve your legal issue at the lowest cost possible. Some attorneys may charge a consultation fee to protect their time and prevent clients from seeking other representation, but most will offer a free consultation to assess your case.
Some attorneys will also charge a retainer fee to cover the costs of your case, such as filing fees, court reporters, and copies of any relevant documents. The retainer fee will be refunded once the case has been resolved, but it’s important to ask about this up front to avoid any surprises.
Another way to find a good lawyer is to get personal referrals from friends, family members, co-workers, and business associates. These sources can provide valuable information about the lawyer’s skills, ethics, and client satisfaction level. They may even be able to recommend a lawyer who is a good fit for your unique situation.
Many websites, such as Lawrina Match, allow you to search by your legal issue and practice area and then view attorney resumes in seconds. This will give you a complete picture of each attorney’s credentials and experience. This can save you a lot of time and effort when finding the best lawyer for your case.
Getting a reputable lawyer can be difficult, especially if you are in need of a specialist. While the majority of lawyers will have some kind of rating, it is important to choose one that specializes in your specific type of legal issue.
For example, if you need an estate planning attorney, you will want to make sure they have extensive experience in the area of law you need. It’s also important to look at their track record with other cases similar to yours.
Having a lawyer you can trust is critical for any legal matter. A reliable lawyer can protect your rights, protect your assets, and ensure that the court treats you fairly.