Looking for a Lawyer
Looking for a lawyer is a daunting task for most people. If you have never looked for a lawyer before, you may have no idea where to begin. If you have had a bad experience with a lawyer in the past or just know how difficult it can be to find a good lawyer, you may wish that you did not have to do this again.
The stress of finding a lawyer can be almost as big as the stress that has been caused by the reason you need a lawyer. When you need a lawyer because you are being sued or when you need a lawyer because someone has caused you or a loved one harm, can both be very stressful times during which to start looking for a lawyer.
There are many different ways to look for a lawyer and different ways will work better for some people compared to the ways that work best for others. It is important that you look for a lawyer in the way that works best for you. Suggestions for ways to look for a lawyer that have had positive outcomes for many people include but are not limited to:
Word of Mouth Some people are more comfortable talking and asking around for recommendations. Trustworthy friends, neighbors, co-workers, and community and spiritual leaders, are often good people to ask for, if they know of a lawyer for the kind of situation you need. It is important to be careful in talking to people because many legal claims are sensitive in nature and the details of them should not be shared without caution, for fear of the wrong information reaching the wrong hands.
Legal Aid Services Many cities and counties across the United States have legal aid services that often include lawyer referrals and/or help in looking for a lawyer for a particular set of needs. Some of these are free or work on a sliding scale but be sure to ask up front because many services charge a wide range of amounts for different services.
Internet The Internet can be a very useful tool for finding lawyers in your area as well as for looking up reviews and ratings on potential lawyers for you. If the information provided in the Common Areas of Civil Practice Law did not help you determine the kind of lawyer you need, the Internet is also a good place to look for this information.
Key words, or the words you type into a search engine, are a main component that directs a search engine to what you are looking for. If your initial searches do not get you the answers you are looking for, try different combinations of words and include your geographical location or use terms such as, “near me,” as part of your key word phrase.
An example of different combinations of key words to use for if you got into a car accident include but are not limited to: car accident lawyer near me; motor vehicle accident lawyer, ; rear end accident lawyer near me; highly rated auto accident lawyer inf
Once you have found a lawyer, it is a good idea to read reviews from previous clients, and ratings from peers and professional groups.
Once you have found a lawyer you are confident in, there is a good chance that some of the stress and anxiety you’ve been feeling will be alleviated.