Hiring an attorney isn’t like hiring a plumber. The stakes are much higher, and you’ll need to be careful and methodical when it comes to sifting through your options and choosing the lawyer that can best represent your interests. If you’re ready to start your search, here are just four things to consider as you look.
- Practice Areas
What kind of attorney do you need? If you’ve been in a car accident, you’ll probably want a personal injury attorney. If you’re battling wills and estates, you might want to look for a real estate attorney. If you’ve gotten in trouble with the law, you’ll want a defense attorney. Make sure that you’re hunting down a specialist who can help you with expert-level knowledge of their particular field.
- Background
How long have they been practicing? Where did they go to school? What’s the highest degree that they’ve obtained? Have they ever won or settled any high-profile lawsuits? Don’t be afraid to do some digging into your potential attorney. You’ll want to know everything about their history before you hire them for your case.
- Rates
You don’t have to break the bank to hire a good attorney. You just have to be willing to talk about costs upfront so that you can determine if the attorney is outside of your price range. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on by-the-hour billing, see if you can find someone who will work for a percentage of your settlement.
- Personality
Last but certainly not least, don’t underestimate your gut instinct when it comes to a potential attorney. If you schedule a consultation with them but hate their mannerisms, it’s okay to thank them for their time and find someone else. You’ll want your own personality to mesh well with your chosen attorney.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when you’re seeking legal services. Whether you’re looking for a Fairfax criminal attorney or something else entirely, you’ll want to take your time with such an important decision. Make sure that you’re choosing someone that you can trust.