4 Actionable Tips to Getting Lawyer Ready
There are moments in every life when they’re faced with a situation where they feel out of their depth and the only way through it, is to call in the help of the professionals. This is true in particular of anyone facing legal actions or thinking about suing.
While we may have watched all manner of TV dramas on lawyers and courts, the reality is often very different and not something you’ll be able to tackle on your own.
That’s why when you need a lawyer, you need the best. In this blog, we take a look at how to appoint your best representation.
#1 The Difference Between an Attorney and a Lawyer
It’s a good starting point to understand the difference between these two terms. While an attorney can be considered a lawyer, it doesn’t follow that a lawyer is necessarily an attorney.
Why? In US law, an attorney is someone who has passed the bar exam and is approved to practice the law in their region. On the other hand, a lawyer may well have studied the law at university but without the bar exam is not able to provide legal representation, no matter how knowledgeable they may be.
Armed with this knowledge, before you appoint any lawyer it’s important to check and ask for proof that they are bar-accredited and licensed to practice law in your state.
#2 Check Their Record
For many lawyers, their appearances in court are a matter of public record and you will find sites that can give you the statistics on how many cases your lawyer has won or lost over the course of their career.
It may not tell you how many cases they have settled out of court, which for many people involved in disputes is the more favorable option. A settlement can mean you’re able to negotiate hard on any compensation, though there may be provisions you’ll also need to meet from the other side.
The other benefit is that the case is likely to be settled much more quickly than if it goes through a court of law.
Apart from this, do check their specifications. For instance, if you are into a car accident, you obviously would be in a need of a car accident attorney. Also, in case a car accident attorney is the one you need, you must visit The Capital Law Firm for proper and prominent assistance. It’s for sure, after taking their assistance, you won’t regret choosing them at the end.
#3 First Impressions
Many lawyers will allow you a free initial consultation so take that time to explain your case, whether that’s a dispute at work or because you need a lawyer like https://ericramoslaw.com/mcallen/car-accident-lawyer/ to represent you in the case of a car accident.
When you sit down with the attorney, do you feel like they’re on your side? Do they give you their full attention and ask the kind of questions you would expect or do they appear disengaged and uninterested?
These questions are important as they’re likely to shape the rest of your relationship throughout the duration of your court case.
You’ll have to think about where you stand when it comes to finding a lawyer you’re not sure you get on with and someone you know has a fearsome reputation for winning. Whether you choose to appoint them is a matter for personal taste.
#4 What Happens After You Appoint?
Quite often the whole matter will go silent, at least for a short while. You may be asked to check over statements and documents and sign a few things, but your involvement may not amount to much initially. Rest assured, your lawyer is working behind the scenes to get the ball rolling and your case resolved.
If you do have any questions you shouldn’t be afraid to ask your lawyer or their team. It might be that you schedule a weekly catch up call to check that everything is progressing as it should and to check if there’s anything you need to do on your end.
Other than that, you’re just going to have to trust that your lawyer is working for you and that you’ll soon see the end of the road.
Nobody enjoys going through litigation, whichever side you’re on and whether you’re reducing the impact or fighting for what you’re owed, you need to know that your lawyer is as determined as you are to represent your interests.
Find someone who gives you a realistic picture of where you stand and what you can hope to achieve. Find someone who can explain complex legal terms to you and is available to answer your queries and reassure you that the matter is progressing as it should.
Then all that’s left for you to do is to stay on top of the paperwork and make sure that you’ve got all your documents to hand when needed. Get it a great lawyer and get it done.
What are you doing to get lawyer ready?
