If you’ve been wronged in one way or another, you’ve probably thought about hiring an attorney to help you seek justice. This could include pursuing a lawsuit for personal injuries and financial losses or bringing criminal charges against someone.
Regardless, your greatest chances of success lie in the hands of a professional attorney. If the case is likely to go to trial (rather than being settled outside of the court), you must find a litigation lawyer to represent you.
But how can you determine who the best lawyer is for your case? How do you choose between all of your options?
We’re here to help you answer these questions. Keep reading for a quick guide on how to hire a litigation lawyer.
Find a Litigation Attorney With Experience and Expertise
Begin your search by looking for litigation lawyers in your area. However, understand that it might be necessary to hire a lawyer from out of town.
Either way, you must consider the attorney’s experience and their required area of expertise. For example, if you’re pursuing compensation for damages because you were injured by a defective product, check out https://consumerprotection.net/new-york-city-fcra-litigation-lawyer/ to find a lawyer who specializes in product defect litigations.
This applies across the board. Search for lawyers based on their experience handling cases similar to yours. They will be more knowledgeable about the laws surrounding your case and better at negotiating on your behalf.
Read Client Reviews and Testimonials
Before settling on a litigation lawyer, do some online research to find an attorney with positive client reviews and testimonials. You might be able to find reviews on the lawyer’s website and/or social media pages.
If not, perform a simple Google search using the attorney’s name and “reviews.” It’s essential to see what other clients have to say about their experience working with the civil or business litigation lawyer.
Was the lawyer confident, competent, and reassuring? Did the lawyer show respect and compassion for their client? Was the client’s overall experience working with the lawyer positive or negative?
These are important questions to ask to ensure you’re putting your fate in the right hands. The results of the case could affect you for the rest of your life.
Ask About Case Results
Next, it’s okay to ask your business or civil litigation lawyer about their case records. How many other cases like yours have they handled? What were the results of those cases?
While you can’t expect anyone to have a perfect track record, hiring a litigation lawyer with an unimpressive history might not be wise. They could lack confidence in the courtroom or take on cases they can’t win just to get the client’s money. Conversely, they might simply be a sub-par attorney.
Inquire About Their Caseload and Availability
More than anyone, the outcome of your case will impact your life the most. As such, it’s okay to ask difficult, blunt, and even confrontational questions. For example, you should ask the litigation lawyer how many open cases they have on their plate.
It’s not uncommon for civil and business litigation attorneys to juggle dozens of cases at one time. However, that doesn’t mean you should settle for a lawyer who doesn’t have enough time for you.
If you call your lawyer with new information or are looking for an update about your case, it shouldn’t take several days to get ahold of them. While they won’t be at your beck and call 24/7, a reasonable standard of communication is necessary.
If you have a case destined for trial, you’re probably dealing with enough stress as it is. Don’t hire a litigation lawyer who will exacerbate your feelings of stress and anxiety.
Consider Communication Skills and Rapport
Whether you’re hiring a business or civil litigation attorney, communication skills are imperative. You and your lawyer need to be on the same page about everything.
As such, your lawyer must be able to communicate with you clearly and effectively. If you don’t understand something or want further clarification, they shouldn’t get frustrated with you. Remember, you’re hiring them, not the other way around.
Furthermore, there must be mutual respect between you and your mitigation lawyer. They shouldn’t talk down to you or seem indifferent about your case. Find a lawyer who is genuinely concerned about your current and future well-being.
Ask About Legal Fees
One of the most important things you need to consider regarding your case is how much it will all cost. How can you pay for your legal fees?
Different lawyers charge different fees based on their experience, case results, and personal preference. However, some types of cases require different pricing models.
For example, most cases that involve a lawsuit for financial compensation have contingency fees. The lawyer takes a percentage of their client’s winnings if the case is successful. If the case fails, the client won’t owe the lawyer anything.
Other types of mitigation lawyers charge a flat rate or by the hour. Before hiring your attorney, make sure you understand exactly how you will be charged and what other fees are involved.
Get a Free Case Evaluation
In many cases, you won’t be able to glean all of the information you need about your future business or civil litigation attorney off of their website, social media pages, or reviews. For this reason, reach out to your top choices and schedule a free case evaluation.
Aside from getting to know your potential litigation lawyer, free consultations can help you learn more about your case. While some cases are relatively clean-cut, different lawyers will approach complicated cases differently based on their own experience. During your consultation, ask each lawyer:
- About their plan of attack/defense
- What they think the odds of your success are
- About the validity of your case
- How long they think the case will take to settle
- What the potential outcomes of the case are
- And more
Most lawyers are more than willing to meet with potential clients for free to earn their business. It shouldn’t be hard to find multiple lawyers who will meet you in person, over the phone, or through video chat. If a lawyer isn’t willing to give you a free consultation, move on.
Need a Litigation Lawyer?
If you’ve been wronged and want to pursue justice, your first step is finding the best litigation lawyer for your case. Follow the advice written in this article to narrow down the field.
And if you want more legal advice, we have more to offer. Look through the rest of our blog to find more articles that can provide insight into your circumstances. Our website was created to help people like you understand more about the legal system.
