The legal industry has a value of more than $900 billion today, making it by far one of the largest industries in the world. This isn’t so surprising when you consider how virtually every aspect of life has some form of law associated with it. If you’re ever in the market for legal help, you’ll need to seek the service of attorneys in your area that can get results.
Here are some things you should know about finding the best lawyer available in your local and surrounding area.
Know What Kind of Case You’re Pursuing
Before anything, you need to understand the area of law that you’re dealing with so that you can find specialists in your area. There are many different types of lawyers you might look into hiring, such as:
- Personal injury lawyers
- Criminal defense attorneys
- Real estate lawyers
- Intellectual property lawyers
- Estate attorneys
Knowing what area of interest you’re looking into will pay off when it’s time to hire a local lawyer that can assist you.
Peruse Their Media Content
When you need the best attorney that your money can buy, it pays to look into their content. By studying their content, you’ll learn a bit about the firm or lawyer’s experience, personality, and ability to address your legal needs.
Following an attorney’s blog will show you helpful evergreen pillar content that answers legal questions. Many attorneys also put out video content where they explain legal matters in detail.
A law firm’s social media presence also lets you know whether they’re up to speed on different types of technology and legal practices today. Consider the tone and timeliness of their social media responses, and choose firms that are highly engaged with their followers.
Ask About Their Awards
Before hiring an attorney, ask them what kinds of awards they’ve received. It’s not uncommon to see local attorneys who have gotten awards from the legal industry and the local community.
These awards show that the attorney not only understands their expertise but also how to connect with the public. Attorneys are often measured by their goodwill and willingness to inform people and offer the highest standard of service. Find out if they offer pro bono work or otherwise give their services to the community.
Find Out How Much the Firm Charges
Regardless of what sort of legal service you need, it’s important that you find out the price and whether you can afford it. Attorneys that charge hourly rates will generally charge between about $100 per hour and $400 per hour. These pros also have other fee arrangements, such as:
- Contingency fee percentages
- Retainer fees
- Flat fee arrangements
- Pro Bono service
- Separate charges for expenses
When you go into hiring a professional attorney, you must get their rates in writing so that you can compare them and find an affordable deal. Depending on the arrangement, you might also look into financing or a payment plan.
Schedule Some Consultations
If you’re trying to hire an attorney in your local area, take the time to also book some consultations with a few different legal professionals. These professionals will let you know about their background, while also providing some insight into how they will represent you.
You’ll also learn which attorney at the firm will be the primary on your case, what strategies they’ll use, and their advice on moving forward with the strategy that you need to win. Since there are several attorneys in your area, speak to between three to five firms to get their take on your case and leave no stone unturned.
Study Their Standing in the Legal Industry
You’ll get quality service from an attorney that is not only respected in the community – but also by peers in the legal industry. Look into some legal journals or other industry publications. Find out what other professionals say about the firm, and whether they are part of any legal alliances or organizations.
Research the standing of the local attorney with the American Bar Association and the state bar association where you live. Find out how they grade out with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other organizations so that you’re able to land an attorney that is battle-tested and respected.
Look into firms like Harbor Accident Lawyers to get an idea about how attorneys present themselves and their accomplishments within the industry.
Get Some Trusted Referrals
Finally, make sure that you get referrals from people who have paid the attorneys for service and gotten the results that they’re looking for. Perhaps you have a relative or friend who has hired a car accident attorney. Find out whether they tried the case or settled it, and whether the payout was to your liking and enough to take care of your needs.
If you know someone who has gone through a divorce, learn not only if the attorney protected their assets and delivered the best outcome, but also did it in a way that provided peace of mind during this tumultuous and emotional time.
Referrals from someone you trust are worth so much, so always check with your loved ones first.
Hire the Best Lawyer in Your Area
Use these points when you’re trying to find the best lawyer available to represent you. This guide will help you out regardless of what kind of legal services you’re in the market for. Since it’s one of the biggest business fields in the world, you’ll have several options to choose from.
In the meantime, check out our other content so you can get the legal help that you need.
