As of 2023, there are around 1.3 million lawyers in the US. This means that if you ever need help with the law, there are plenty of professionals to choose from.
This can be a double-edged sword though. You’ll never have the time to go through them all. But you can’t just pick one at random either.
A great idea is to ask questions to determine if a professional is right for you. That way, you can shorten the list fast.
Keep reading to see seven questions you should ask a lawyer when you’re trying to narrow down your choices.
- What’s Your Specialization?
It’s a lawyer’s job to be well-versed in all areas of the law. They should be able to help anyone with basic cases regarding things like bankruptcy, business, civil rights, criminal, entertainment, environmental, family, real estate, and tax law.
However, most lawyers will specialize in one or two practice areas, so ask for details. If you’ve had a slip and fall, then divorce attorneys won’t be the ideal law professionals to use.
You can still choose generalist attorneys though. It all depends on your case and how you feel about the law firm.
- How Much Experience Do You Have?
Any lawyer you hire should have at least 10 to 15 years of experience, as it proves that they’re fantastic at what they do. But if you hire personal injury attorneys, then make sure those years of experience are actually in this particular practice area. 10 years of experience in other fields and only two years in personal injury may not bode well for your case.
In addition, you should ask how many trials they’re worked on. Furthermore, find out their win rate.
While most lawyers have handled numerous cases, you’d be surprised to find out that many of them haven’t gone to trial often; the majority of their cases end in settlements. You want to be prepared for the worst, so pick one that has successful courtroom experiences.
- Will You Be the Only Person Working on My Case?
Attorneys are busy people, so they often can’t handle cases all on their own. This is especially true if you have a complicated situation that requires all hands on deck.
It’s perfectly fine and normal for other members of the firm to jump onto a case. However, it’s good to know ahead of time; if you know you have a huge case but the lawyer insists they can handle it by themselves, then that can be a red flag.
Also, it’s typical for lawyers to involve not only their partners, but also paralegals and junior attorneys. Aside from the partners, these people will likely be less experienced. You’ll want to make sure they charge less for their hours (more on fees later).
- How Would You Approach My Case?
This is an excellent question to ask since the attorney’s answer will be rich with information that can sway your decision.
Firstly, if they answer with confidence and detail, then it’s a positive sign. It’ll show that they have the knowledge and proven experience to handle your case with favorable outcomes.
In addition, you can get a feel for how they conduct business and see if it complements your personality and situation. For example, if the lawyer is extremely aggressive, this is great if you want to take your ex-spouse for all they’re worth. However, if you want an amicable divorce, another law professional may suit you better.
- Can You Provide References and Testimonials?
A law firm or attorney can look fantastic on paper. However, it’s always good to hear from their prior clients. Of course, you can always do your own online research to see reviews, but asking this question can tell you a lot about the lawyer.
For instance, if they’re hesitant or unwilling to provide references and testimonials, then they might be trying to hide something. But if they’re eager and happy to do this, then there’s a better chance you’ll have an outstanding working relationship with them.
Take advantage of the references provided and ask the previous clients about their experiences. Questions here can include:
- What are your overall thoughts about the attorney?
- Did they communicate with you well?
- Did you feel taken care of during your case?
- What’s their weak point?
- How Do You Charge for Your Services?
There are several ways lawyers can charge you for their services. Generally, it’s either a flat fee or an hourly one; most attorneys charge by the hour.
Hourly rates can differ drastically, as some attorneys will charge $100/hour while another charges over $1,000/hour. This is why it’s vital to clearly establish fees.
It’s highly possible that they’ll also charge other fees for their time, such as contingent and statutory ones. Make sure you completely understand how these work and ask approximately how much your case will cost.
Don’t forget to inquire about retaining their services too. Paying retainer fees can be costly, so you want to be prepared.
- How Long Do You Expect My Case to Take?
Of course, no one’s a psychic, but an experienced attorney will be able to assess your situation, compare it to their previous cases, and give you an educated guess.
It’s surprising, but some cases can last years, or even decades. If you expected yours to take just a few months max, then this can be a nasty shock.
Longer cases will cost more, so an answer here can help you budget better. That way, you’ll have better financial expectations and no big surprises.
Hire the Right Lawyer for Your Case
Going through your choices won’t be easy, especially since there are so many professionals available. You might be tempted to just pick a lawyer that looks fine, but you may come to regret that.
Instead, vet your options by asking them the extensive questions we’ve provided here. As a result, you’ll have a higher chance of choosing someone that’ll fight hard for your rights and win your case.
Keep browsing our blog page for more interesting articles.