4 Things to Look for in a Lawyer

There are all kinds of reasons why you might find yourself in need of legal representation. Whether you’re going through a divorce, got into a car accident, or you’re facing criminal charges, it’s important to make sure that you’ve got someone on your side who is qualified for the job.

In order to find someone who is the right fit for your particular case, you should make sure that you’re looking for the right qualities. Here are some of the essential things your lawyer should have.

Experience

Passing the bar exam and starting their own firm isn’t enough to guarantee that a lawyer has experience. More important than an education or a fancy office is firsthand experience.

Finding a lawyer who has worked on as many cases as possible and is familiar with all different kinds of scenarios is ideal. Knowing that they have years of expertise under their belt will give you an extra advantage. Often lawyers who have more experience may have higher rates. However, if you want to win your case, the extra money may be well worth it.

Reputation

Taking a look online at ratings from your potential lawyer’s previous clients will give you an idea of what kind of a reputation they have. Although not every review is credible, it can be a good insight for what kind of a performance you can expect from them.

Chances are if a lawyer you hire has an excellent reputation your experience will be a positive one.

Responsiveness

One of the biggest complaints that people have about their lawyers is that they never reply in a timely fashion. If you have a pressing question or concern about your case, it’s reassuring to know that your lawyer will be there to reply and put your worries at ease.

When interviewing candidates, it’s okay to ask what kind of response time you can expect from them. Usually, lawyers will give you a window of about 48 hours, while some lawyers can guarantee a call back the same day. It’s good to know when you can expect to hear back from them rather than being left in the dark.

Transparency

It’s important that your lawyer is upfront about costs and policies from the first time that you speak. If they are unclear about how things work or hide fees from you, then you’re going to be very unhappy with your experience.

Knowing that you aren’t going to get an astronomical bill for things you never agreed to pay for can be incredibly stressful. It’s ideal to know you have a lawyer on your case who you can trust and takes integrity seriously.