Whether you’re getting a civil attorney, a personal injury attorney, a divorce attorney, or even a criminal defense attorney, you want to make sure you’re getting someone competent and that is right for you. You want to know that you’ll be getting the best legal counsel and support in the trials ahead.There were 11,302,102 arrests nationwide in 2013, covering all offenses. That’s a lot of individuals that could be facing time behind bars if they don’t have adequate legal counsel and representation.
Your attorney is there to make sure you’re well informed of the situation. It’s not expected that the average individual knows enough about the law to interpret it or to defend against it, or use it to their advantage. That’s why you hire professionals.
But how do you know if you’re getting the right one for you?
There are traits that you should look for in an attorney, civil or otherwise, things that can help you determine if they’re right for you.
- What Is Their Experience? No matter what the case is, you want to make sure that your lawyer is experienced and that they’ve done well in the past. No one wants a civil attorney that has lost every case that they have represented, or a family lawyer that can’t find an adequate, but fair, settlement. You want to do your research and know the facts about who you’re hiring. After all, you are hiring them. Unless they don’t collect pay if you don’t win, money is exchanging hands. Make sure you’re getting the best for your money.
- How Available Are They? You don’t want an attorney that isn’t able to pick up the phone when you call. You want someone that you can contact. You want someone that is able to be reached, and able to talk. They’re representing your case, so you have the right to know what will be said and what they are doing. It’s your money and your future on the line.
- Can They Explain Things Well? Can they summarize what is happening in a way you can understand? Law involves difficult, and often dull, language to read and interpret. Can they explain it in such a way that you understand what is being said? What is happening in court is your business as much as theirs.
These are just some of the things to keep in mind when looking to hire an attorney, whether that be a civil attorney or a defense one. If you have any more ideas of what to look for, please leave a comment below. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us and ask!