11 Tips for Choosing a Local Law Firm for Your Case

Are you looking to hire a lawyer? Well, the good news is there are around 1.3 million practicing lawyers in the United States. Which means you have a lot of options.

It also makes the decision much harder. You want to hire a lawyer who is going to advocate for you and help you win your legal case.

Unfortunately, there are some lawyers out there that aren’t as reputable. Some may not be able to handle your case. 

The best thing you can do is find a local law firm and we will tell you how to do that. You should do your research before hiring an attorney. This process may not be as simple as you might think but don’t worry. 

This guide will give you 11 tips that’ll help you when you’re hiring a lawyer. Keep reading so you can have peace of mind with your case. 

1. Specialized Experience 

While there are millions of lawyers out there, you’ll need to choose one that has experience with cases similar to yours. Traffic and accident lawyers won’t be the best option if your case involves a small business issue. 

You want the law firm that you hire to be knowledgeable and have a deep understanding of the laws pertaining to your situation. This will allow them to create the best legal strategy.

The more they know about the case, the less risk there is, and the more information they have, the more they will be able to share with you. You’ll be better informed about the potential risks and steps you need to take. A lawyer that specializes in a specific area will have better negotiating skills as well.  

When you’re hiring a lawyer, don’t be afraid to ask them what type of experience they have. Keep in mind they may not be able to share specific information about past or current cases, for legal reasons. However, they should have some data that can tell you about their business and experience. 

2. Expertise in Your Area

Different cities and counties don’t always have the same laws and legislation. That’s why it’s so important that you find a local law firm. You may find lawyers with experience a few cities away, but they may not be up to date on local laws. 

If your lawyer isn’t knowledgeable about local regulations and makes a mistake, you could lose thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of dollars. It would be very easy for someone to make a mistake if they aren’t aware of the rules. 

Finding a lawyer in your area also makes it more convenient for you. This will make it easier for you to attend court hearings and meetings. 

If you have an urgent legal matter and your lawyer is hours away, it could make the process much more difficult. 

3. Reputation 

Reputation is one of the most important things to consider when hiring a law firm. If you’re a small business owner looking for an attorney, ask other owners if they’ve worked with anyone in the area. You can talk to family, friends, and other people in the community as well. 

You can learn a lot about a law firm from hearing about other people’s experiences. If you do hear something negative about them, be sure to get as much information as possible.

Asking questions can help you get a sense of the company and how they operate. 

Many cases are public records, so you can look up their wins and losses online. You want to work with a firm that has won more than it’s lost. 

Online reviews are tricky to navigate at times. You can never be sure if a review is true or written by someone within the company. They can be useful tools, but you shouldn’t base your entire decision on them. 

Saying that, if there are more bad reviews than good ones, you may want to keep looking for a firm to hire. 

4. Fee Transparency

It’s important that you always know what you’re paying for. Some law firms will have a fee or price schedule that you’ll have to sign. Others will have you pay the full amount upfront and then refund you the money that they don’t use.

Some companies may tell you exactly what you’re paying for and give you a breakdown of specific services. Typically, lawyers charge by the hour, but extra fees like postage and travel expenses may be placed on your bill. 

The most important thing is that you find a law firm that’s not gonna take advantage of you. It’s also important that you don’t sign a contract without reading through it and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Price estimates are very helpful when it comes to budgeting, but you’ll need to be prepared to pay more if something doesn’t go as planned. 

While cost is important, it’s more important to work with a reputable lawyer. If there are several lawyers in your area who specialize in the same thing, you may have some power when it comes to pricing. Lawyers may be willing to lower their prices slightly if it means you sign with them. 

5. Diversity

When you think about hiring a law firm, you may not think to consider the diversity within the company. However, it’s much more important than you may realize. 

If everyone that works at the company is from the same religious or ethnic background, that could affect your case. They will likely have the same views on morals and ethics, which could hurt your case. 

Having diversity within the firm will improve the odds that someone working on the case understands your background, culture, and motives. A firm with diverse staff will have more knowledge and be able to advise you better. 

You’ll want to check here for a firm that understands you, your business, and your staff.  

6. Communication Style 

Another big factor to look at is communication style. This case could cost you thousands of dollars. You have a lot on your mind and the last thing you want to worry about is getting a hold of your attorney. 

Working with someone who will answer your calls and get back to you quickly if they miss your message will make all the difference. It will reduce a lot of stress and frustration. 

A lawyer should be able to answer all your questions clearly. There should be no confusion. They should also listen to your opinions and concerns. 

Effective communication skills will not only make your experience better but will help you win the case. An attorney that can’t communicate properly will have a hard time winning in court. 

7. Professionalism 

Professionalism is another key component. While you don’t want to judge solely based on their appearance, it is important that your legal team is dressed appropriately. 

Building a reputation takes time, especially as a lawyer. You can tell by how one presents themselves if they care about other people’s perceptions. You should also consider how the office looks and how the rest of the staff is dressed.

Is everything neat and organized when you first walk in? Is the office clean and well-maintained? 

Remember, your lawyer is going to court for you and appearance does matter in the industry. Along with physical appearance, your attorney and the entire staff should carry themselves in a professional manner. This means being respectful, transparent, and honest. 

Professionalism also includes how they handle difficult situations. They will also be working efficiently, following the law, and responding to you in a timely manner,

8. Availability and Caseload

The majority of lawyers will take on more than one case at a time. You want to ensure they have enough time to commit to your legal case. 

You can ask them how many cases they are currently working on and how many staff members they have available to work on yours. Your case is just as important as someone else’s. If a firm has taken on a lot of work compared to its size, your case may not get the attention it deserves. 

You should also confirm the hours they are available to talk to you. If they are only available between the hours of 9 and 5, and you work those hours as well, it could make communication hard. Be sure to ask if they have time after hours to talk with you. 

Be sure to confirm the best form of communication. Are you only able to email and text during the day and call at night?

This is information that your lawyer will need to know and vice versa. This will make the process much smoother if everyone is on the same page. 

If email is the best form of communication for you and your attorney doesn’t respond to emails very quickly, this will cause issues. Express your expectations when it comes to availability and communication should be done before signing the contract. 

9. Advocacy Style

Many lawyers are going to be knowledgeable, and able to give you advice based on facts and laws. However, you may want to hire a lawyer that will give you advice that is personalized to your situation.

You don’t want an attorney to just give you advice, but give you legal advice that is best for you even if that isn’t what’s easiest for them. 

A good lawyer will also explain to you why they are making specific recommendations and decisions. They should have your best interest in mind and show you how their plan will help you in the long run. 

If a lawyer pressures you or dismisses your concerns, it’s a red flag and you should continue your search. 

10. Clarify Responsibility for Your Case

You’ll have to decide if you want to hire a large firm or a smaller one. There are pros and cons to each. 

With a large law firm, there will likely be several people working on your case. Be sure to discuss this before signing a contract.

You’ll want to know who is working on what part of your case. Asking about paralegals may seem unimportant, but you’ll want to know if they are working on your case. You’re spending a lot of money, and you want to make sure it’s going where they say it is. 

You’ll have a different experience at a smaller law firm. Your attorney will likely be your main contact, but it never hurts to clarify. 

11. Attorney’s Support Network and Resources

Bigger doesn’t always mean better, but a larger firm may have more resources to handle bigger and more complex cases. 

Does the firm have access to expert witnesses and investigators? This information is crucial to know as it could help further your case along.

A smaller law firm may not have the same access to necessary resources. However, they might, so it’s important to ask and evaluate before making a decision.

Local Law Firm

Finding and hiring a local law firm is, without a doubt, challenging. Every legal case is different, and that’s why finding the right one is vital. 

Going to court is less an ideal, but sometimes it’s necessary and you don’t want to do it alone. Following the tips above will prove to be useful in the future, so be sure to refer to them.

Unexpected circumstances come up all the time, and navigating them can be hard. Our site is full of articles and guides just like this one. Check out our website for more advice, information, and tips.