If you are looking to work with a lawyer, it is important that you choose one which perfectly suits your needs. To make things easier for you, we have compiled a list of seven key tips to help you choose the right lawyer for you. Read on to find out what these are!
Read reviews and references
To make sure that you choose an experienced lawyer who has a successful past track record, you should read their reviews and references. You can find these under search engine business listings or through independent review sites. Ratings (usually out of five stars) are also available for you to gauge the quality of legal services you will be receiving. For more reliable recommendations, you can visit the Law Society of South Australia’s website.
Understand the services you need
Different lawyers specialise in different areas of law, and hence it is important that you choose one who will be able to help you with your own specific circumstances. You can do this by understanding the exact services you need. It may be helpful to ask yourself questions like; ‘do I need a legal representative in court?’ or ‘do I want advice on a specific topic’ or ‘do I need help drafting legal documents’. By answering these questions, you will gain a better understanding of the legal services you need. You should also consider the type of law your situation falls under (for example, commercial lawyer for businesses).
Consider communication methods
Some lawyers are cloud-based, meaning most communication is done online (through emails, instant messaging, voice calls or video conferencing). Others are traditional and perform all their meetings in an office, with limited online communication methods. There may even be a few firms which adopt a combination of both. As such, it is important that you find a law firm which has communication methods which match your own.
Compare quotes and prices
You need to compare quotes and prices of different legal services so that you have a better understanding of how much a particular service is valued. Depending on whether or not you have a budget, you will need to find a lawyer who offers services at a price suitable to you.
Visit the office
If possible, it may be useful to visit the office of your potential law firm so that you can see and evaluate their internal work operations and work ethic. For example, an organised office may make a positive impression on you as it may mean that they will take your case on time and schedule your services accordingly.
Perform a background check
Perform a background check to make sure that your potential lawyer is registered and is able to operate in your area. You can contact a lawyer disciplinary agency in your local community to check the law firm you are considering, or search their name up on an online registry to see if they are qualified as a member of the state bar.
Meet the rest of the team
You will not only be working directly with a lawyer, but also their border team (for example, their assistant, a paralegal, a secretary etc.). Meeting the rest of the team will help you form an opinion on whether you’d like to work with them or not.
Make sure to keep the above seven tips in mind to help you choose the right lawyer for you.
