There aren’t many times in life when you might need the services of a lawyer but when you do, whether for business or to settle a personal claim, you need to make sure that the lawyer you’re hiring is on your side. You need representation that you can rely on and who you know is doing their best to get the result you need.
How to find the best lawyer for you? Take a look at our blog as we explore five things your lawyer and you must demonstrate for the relationship to work.
A Great Reputation
You can rely on the testimony they have on their website, or you can do a little digging to see if that reputation is fairly won. Most litigation is a matter of public record so search online to see what the lawyer’s win statistics look like.
Don’t be afraid to chase up those personal testimonies from clients with a call or email if you can find their details and make sure they definitely would recommend the services of the lawyer in question.
You might also want to ask around. Very often a personal recommendation from friends or family is the best way to secure a good match.
Communication
When you walked into your lawyer’s chambers how was the communication right from the start? Did you feel that the lawyer totally got your situation and understood how you wanted to see it resolved?
Did the lawyer or their admin team follow up your visit with a phone call or email as promised? Things like personal injury lawyer services don’t come cheap and if you feel you’re not getting great value for money then you may want to consider trying a different chambers.
Budget
When it comes to appointing a lawyer, you’re buying in a service that doesn’t come cheap. From the start you and your lawyer should have a clear idea of your budget and the service you’ll get for that level.
It might be that your lawyer operates a no win, no fee scheme where they keep a percentage of the compensation or damages that you’re awarded. You may be able to pay money or pay some money up front and some after the case. Look for a lawyer who offers a flexible payment scheme or can help you to access legal aid if that is an option for you to pursue.
Specialism
When it comes to choosing your lawyer will you prefer dealing with a smaller, specialist chambers who deals exclusively with your types of case, or will you go for a larger firm that may have more resources at their disposal?
No two lawyers are the same so it’s worth your while spending your time meeting a few. While most lawyers charge by the hour, many will offer a free 15 to 20 minute consultation. Use that time to gain your first impression of them and listen to their strategy for dealing with your case.
Help Yourself
Whoever you end up appointing make sure to get yourself lawyer ready ahead of every meeting. Make copies of all the relevant paperwork that you need and be sure to back up all your files on your Cloud-based storage should the worst happen and you lose your paper files.
Keep appointments that you are given and take calls, to make sure that your case progresses as smoothly as it can and isn’t slowed down by missing information and missed deadlines.
Nobody really wants to have to call on the services of a lawyer but when it comes to settling disputes, getting compensation when you’ve been hurt or wronged or getting that work issue sorted out, sometimes it’s necessary.
When it comes to choosing representation, don’t compromise on quality. If a deal looks too good to be true then it very often is. Instead find a lawyer who shows you what they’re capable of right from the start. With a great reputation and clear communication, you know you’ll be able to get your message across and the ball rolling straight away.
Dig a little deeper and see if your lawyer can put their money where their mouth is with a reputation that’s backed up with some impressive statistics.
Finally, do yourself a favour and be the best client you can. Provide paperwork quickly when it’s asked for and be prepared to answer questions with a truthful answer.
Then wait and see what your lawyer can do to get you through the process and back out the other side with another win under their belt and a happy client in you.
