Choosing a lawyer is often done in a hurry. To ensure that you are well advised and defended, it is essential to take into account certain criteria such as the lawyer’s area of specialization or his reputation. In order to find the best lawyer according to your situation, JeTrouveMonAvocat presents the five key factors to analyze.
1. Defining your need
To find a good lawyer, you must first clearly define your needs . Indeed, not all lawyers offer the same services: some lawyers will specialize in legal advice while others are more dedicated to litigation and defense before the courts.
You can also decide to go to a general lawyer or to a lawyer who is competent in a particular area of law . The most important thing is to check that the lawyer has the skills necessary to handle your case. To do this, you can call the law firm directly or consult their online profile to find out their areas of expertise.
Be aware that cases relating to family law or employment law can generally be handled by a general lawyer. But for certain more specific problems, it may be preferable to call on a lawyer with specific skills.
2. The geographical location of the lawyer
Choosing a lawyer who practices close to home is often the most advantageous solution. In addition to reducing travel costs, this will also allow you to communicate and meet more easily in a sometimes complicated period.
However, in certain specific cases , the geographical factor may become secondary. Thus, if your case requires very specific legal expertise, you may need to call upon a lawyer located under the jurisdiction of another bar.
If your case is being tried far from your place of residence , it may be preferable to choose a lawyer located directly on site. Indeed, if your lawyer wishes to defend you in a court other than the one on which he depends, he will have to resort to a colleague attached to this bar to carry out the procedural acts, which can generate additional costs.
3. The relationship with the lawyer
To make sure you find the right lawyer, trust yourself. Does the lawyer seem educational and competent? Does he or she listen? It is essential that you feel comfortable with your lawyer so that you can explain the details of your case to him or her in detail.
A good lawyer must be available and keep you regularly informed of the progress of the case. So remember to ask your lawyer about his preferred means of communication and his availability at the first meeting .
4. Lawyer’s fees
Fees are obviously an essential criterion in choosing a lawyer. A good lawyer must be transparent about his fee practice (fixed fee/hourly rate). So remember to ask for a quote at your first meeting.
Keep in mind that the fees of a law firm are not regulated and that each lawyer is therefore free to offer their clients the rates they want . In most cases, lawyers apply an hourly rate that they then adapt to the complexity of each case.
If they seem too high, you can decide to turn to another firm whose prices correspond more to your budget.
5. The lawyer’s reputation
All lawyers have at least a Master’s degree and the CAPA (Certificate of Aptitude for the Legal Profession).
Some lawyers hold a certificate of specialization to demonstrate their particular skills in a specific area of law, obtained after at least four years of legal practice experience and a professional examination.
However, legal knowledge should not be the only criterion for judging a lawyer’s skills. Indeed, his human skills , particularly relational skills , are essential to ensure quality communication and a healthy client/lawyer relationship.
Be aware that a lawyer’s online visibility through a well-referenced site can also be a good indicator of their reputation. And various points can help you in your selection.
The professionalism of the site : a quality and regularly updated website shows that the lawyer has sufficient resources to hire a specialist to take care of the professional aspect of his website.
Information about the lawyer and his firm : these sections can allow you to find out more about the reputation and especially the skills of the lawyers working in the firm (universities, diplomas, etc.).
Areas of expertise: most often, a law firm’s website provides precise information on its areas of expertise.
You can also try to find reviews online . If some clients repeatedly mention the same problem with a law firm, this can alert you and save you from an unpleasant surprise.
Did you know? You have every right to decide to change lawyers during the procedure, or even at the end of the first interview.
Aware of the time that can be necessary to find the right lawyer, JeTrouveMonAvocat allows you to get in touch with expert and trusted lawyers present throughout the country .
