Begin your search for an attorney by asking friends and family for referrals. Find out which attorney they used, as well as their satisfaction level with the results.
Find experienced attorneys quickly by turning to online resources or lawyer referral services. This option provides access to an attorney with specific legal expertise for your specific legal issue.
Online Attorney Databases
Online attorney databases enable you to conduct a comprehensive search of attorneys based on various parameters such as law school, JD year, admissions, memberships, gender diversity and ethnic diversity among others. Such databases can be utilized for market research, talent acquisition and business development among others.
Many states and counties offer bar association websites with listings of attorneys licensed to practice within them, providing background, work experience and client reviews about each attorney licensed. If you require legal assistance for a specific issue, make sure that your search includes attorneys that specialize in that particular field of law.
Some of the more renowned legal directories, like Martindale-Hubbell, provide online resources that can assist in your search for an attorney. Other sources for attorney data online include the Disciplinary Board of Supreme Court of Pennsylvania which maintains public records regarding attorneys who have had past disciplinary actions taken against them.
Finally, Google Scholar can be an invaluable tool for researchers searching for legal articles and papers on specific subjects. While not a legal database per se, it provides researchers with an effective tool for broadening their search beyond what is readily available in our libraries.
Though online resources may be helpful, it’s also wise to seek referrals from people you trust who understand your situation. Friends, family and coworkers could offer recommendations of an attorney suitable for you; additionally if there’s a specific legal matter that pertains to something like taxes or custody disputes there could even be organizations dedicated to these topics that could recommend someone.
If you are on a limited budget and finding legal advice difficult to afford, many attorneys are willing to work with clients on payment arrangements that fit within their income brackets. Some even accept bartering arrangements where clients exchange goods or services for legal counsel.
Ask for Referrals
Finding an attorney through word of mouth from someone you trust is the easiest and quickest way to find one, whether that means asking friends or family members who have faced similar legal issues for advice on who they used and whether or not they recommend them as this allows you to quickly get all of this information at once and narrow your search down quickly to only those qualified candidates.
If you don’t know anyone with legal problems, one way of finding representation may be searching online or calling an attorney referral service. Many of these services provide tailored search options based on criteria like practice areas and years of experience; however, additional research should still be performed since some services don’t offer comprehensive details on each attorney listed.
As well as asking friends and family, professionals such as your accountant, banker, real estate broker or insurance agent may provide useful recommendations of attorneys. These individuals often have relationships with many businesses which allow them to share referrals for attorneys.
Search online review sites like Google Reviews, Avvo and Yelp to locate attorneys. These platforms enable potential clients to read reviews about different attorneys before making their selection and requesting free consultations if available. Law firms should take advantage of such platforms to expand their presence online and gain new clients.
Acquiring reviews is no simple task when running a busy practice, but it’s essential that the process be as convenient for clients so that more of them submit feedback. Podium’s customer feedback solution automates review invitations to make the feedback collection process simple and make your clients more likely to provide their valuable input. Explore how Podium can help your practice gain more reviews and expand with Podium today.
Ask for Recommendations from Your Friends and Family
Before the Internet became mainstream, finding an attorney required browsing through a section of Yellow Pages dedicated to lawyers. Although this old-fashioned method remains available today, you can also utilize several online methods. When hiring an attorney it is ideal if they possess adequate legal expertise regarding your issue as well as reasonable fees; additionally it should feel natural working together and you be able to communicate efficiently as they will likely become part of your legal team for months or even years.
One of the easiest and best ways to find an attorney is through word of mouth from friends and family. Ask what attorney they used for their legal issues, how satisfied they were with the results, or if something should have gone differently if necessary.
Contact attorneys directly and request recommendations. Many attorneys maintain websites listing their education and areas of practice; take time to check these websites to see if any attorneys practice your area of law, learn about their background and reputation and learn if any public discipline decisions have been issued against the attorney in question. Martindale-Hubbell or Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers sites also may contain more information on any potential problems.
Nonprofit groups interested in your legal issues might be a valuable source for referrals as well. If you’re fighting to stop the construction of a freeway through your neighborhood, for instance, the director of an environmental group might recommend an outstanding freeway attorney; while women’s or men’s support groups could know of an excellent family law attorney.
Once you’ve created a list of potential attorneys, arrange to meet with each. Most attorneys offer consultations free or at a minimal cost, making this step of your search particularly important. During this meeting, pay special attention to whether or not there is good rapport between yourself and the attorney – you will likely be working together closely over time, so the relationship must be founded on trust.
Ask for a Free Consultation
A free legal consultation is an appointment in which an attorney is provided to listen and offer initial thoughts on your case without charge or obligation, usually offered by most attorneys; some may not. To find an attorney offering this service, ask friends and family members for recommendations, check your local telephone directory listings or visit your state bar website and look for lawyers that specialize in the field of law that needs help from.
Treat the initial consultation like an interview and be prepared with plenty of questions – this will allow you to assess if the attorney is the right one for your case and will help determine their fee structure – some have flat fees while others charge hourly or have sliding fees that vary based on income level.
Attracting evidence of damages or expenses, such as warranties, expense reports, medical bills and correspondence with the person or company from whom you’re seeking restitution can also help your attorney develop a deeper understanding of your situation and increase the odds that compensation will be won for your case.
Many attorneys may be wary of taking on complex cases due to concerns that they won’t earn enough in return. If this applies to you, your best option might be seeking referral from an attorney specializing in simpler types of cases; that way they can make an accurate assessment of both your chances of success and costs associated with filing suit; something known as cost-benefit analysis.