5 Questions to Ask an Attorney BEFORE You Hire Them!

1. What type of cases do you generally handle?

This is a question you should ask right off the bat. If the attorney doesn’t specialize (or regularly work) on cases relating to your legal issue, find someone else! There are plenty of lawyers out there, so find one that is in your niche. A specialized lawyer will have the experience and competence to represent and advocate for you.

 

2. Describe your typical client.

Even if you find a lawyer who is specialized in a certain field, they still might regularly deal with clients different from you! For example, if you’re a business owner, you want to consult a business attorney for your legal issues. But, if this business lawyer’s typical clients are corporations with complex tax issues and you’re a small online business trying to set up an LLC, this might not be the best fit for either of you. Don’t forget to ask this question to verify this attorney is right for you.

 

3. What are your attorney fees, and what are my payment options?

This is a question some feel awkward to ask, but DON’T! This is one of the most important things you can find out from the get-go! It will also likely help you determine if you want to hire them (or can afford to hire them) in the first place.With this question, you can also ask them if they bill clients by hour or project. Also, ask whether they will be completing the work themselves, or having legal assistants help.

 

4. How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?

Asking a lawyer a straightforward question like this will yield a straightforward answer. The legal field is very much based on honesty and good character, so you will likely get an answer that is honest. It is always good to know whether your attorney has experience with cases similar to yours to guarantee they are competent to represent you. At minimum, guarantee that attorney has seen at least one or two clients with issues similar to yours.

 

5. What kind of special training or education do you have in addition to your law degree?

There are certain areas of the law that require additional school or training to become competent in that niche. For example, tax lawyers go to an additional year of school. If your legal issues are complex (like IRS issues) check with your attorney to see if they have an additional training or education related to your issues.…

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation

Consultation with Attorney

Knowing that questions to ask your lawyer during this consultation can make finding the right attorney much easier. These should include:

1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?

You need to know how comfortable the lawyer is with cases like yours. While every case is somewhat different, the attorney will likely find some similarities between your case and a case s/he handled previously.

Related questions may include:

  • Where did you attend law school?
  • How long have you been practicing in Pennsylvania?
  • What types of cases do you handle?
  • How often do you handle cases similar to mine?
  • Can you tell me about a case you handled similar to mine? What was the result?
  • Do you have any client testimonials?

2) What would be your strategy for my case?

Most lawyers do not offer specific legal advice in an initial consultation, but s/he should explain the possible approaches to handling your case. S/he may also offer a general overview of the strategy s/he will follow.

Related questions may include:

 

  • What strategies have you used for similar cases in the past?
  • How long do you think this case could take using this strategy?
  • What are the pros and cons of this strategy?

 

3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?

Especially in personal injury cases, there is often a good chance you can avoid going to court. A lawyer will usually try to negotiate a fair and just settlement with the insurance company before resorting to filing a lawsuit. Even once you file a suit, mediation and arbitration may be possible. Both of these options can help you avoid going to court.

Related questions may include:

  • What percentage of your cases has settled out of court?
  • Do you consider yourself an effective negotiator?
  • Are you comfortable taking this case to trial if you cannot reach a just settlement?
  • Will you prepare my case for court even if you plan to settle out of court?

4) What are my possible outcomes?

Some lawyers may only tell you what you want to hear. The right lawyer, however, will give you an honest look at how your case may conclude. No lawyer can give you an exact value of your case or promise that you will reach an out-of-court settlement, but s/he can offer possibilities based on his/her experience.

Related questions may include:

  • Do see us running into any major issues?
  • What are our chances of avoiding a lawsuit?

5) Who will actually handle my case?

While you may meet with one lawyer, others in the legal office may work on your case. This often includes other attorneys and paralegals. You will want to know who your point of contact is within the office, and the experience of those working on your case.

Related questions may include:

 

  • Who should I call with questions about my case?
  • How often can I expect updates or reports? How will I receive these updates?
  • Will you represent me in settlement negotiations and/or court?

7 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Facing criminal charges is daunting. It brings about the possibility of serving jail time. In the same vein, it can affect your reputation, tarnish your character, and put your future at risk even if you’re not convicted. With all the complexities of the criminal justice system and, pending outcomes that impact your future and your freedom, your first concern must be finding a qualified criminal defense attorney that will best represent you.

There are many factors to consider in order to land on the best criminal defense attorney. The below tips will aid in your research and help increase your chance for a favorable outcome.

1) Level of experience

Being accused of a crime is a very serious situation. You want to ensure that the attorney representing you and providing you with legal advice knows the law inside and out. Look for an attorney with experience in all courts (municipal, state, federal, superior) as sometimes jurisdictions of the courts overlap and your case may be heard in more than one court.

Equally as important as the level of expertise is success rate. There is no substitute for real-life experience, and experience without success means very little when you are facing the consequences of a crime. The best attorney has an impressive track record and verifiable success.

2) Avoid a public defender

It may be enticing to consider a public defender in order to avoid the cost of representation, but typically public defenders are inexperienced and loaded with cases. Because of this, they have very little time to address your case, answer your questions and are less likely to dedicate their attention to fight on your behalf.

3) Local connections

Having an attorney with local connections and established relationships is extremely helpful. Someone well connected will have a better understanding of local procedures, and first-hand experience with judges and prosecutors. They will know who entertains plea bargains, and which ones never consider them.

Armed with this valuable knowledge of the inner workings of the local legal scene, they’ll be more qualified to come up with a winning strategy to change the outcome of your case to the best possible one.

4) Board certification

Board certified criminal defense attorneys are the “best of the best”. You’ll be assured that your lawyer is proficient in the specialty legal field in which you have a legal need. Specializing in criminal defense, having a significant amount of jury trials, and an excellent reputation with judges and prosecutors increases the likelihood of a successful and aggressive defense.

5) In person interview

Researching websites, social media, reviews and testimonials of potential attorneys can provide useful information but nothing beats face-to-face. Take advantage of the free consultation most offer so you can form a personal impression, gauge whether or not the lawyer makes you feel comfortable, and get a sense if they are empathetic to your situation.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and check reviews, ratings, and references. Are they a trusted advisor you feel comfortable around and are you able to speak candidly with them?…

7 Must-Know Tips for Hiring an Attorney for Your Case

When you find yourself faced with a legal issue, the steps you take next can literally impact the rest of your life. Hiring a legal professional – and doing it the right way – is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

Not sure how to hire an attorney for your case? You’re in the right place! Keep reading for ten must-know tips that will make hiring an attorney easy.

1. Ask for Recommendations

One of the best ways to find a good attorney is to ask people you trust for recommendations. Start with family and friends – ask if they’ve had a positive personal experience with an attorney in the area of specialty you’re looking for.

If you have a relationship with an attorney who works in a different specialty, he or she may also be able to give you a recommendation. For example, your business lawyer probably can’t help with a personal injury case, but he may be able to refer you to a great personal injury lawyer.

Use these recommendations to create a short list of three to five attorneys who you’ll investigate further before making a decision.

2. Do Online Research

Next, it’s time to hop online and start doing some research about each of the attorneys on your list. Check Google reviews and at least a couple of the lawyer review sites – like Lawyers.com and Justia.

It’s also a good idea to take a look through the lawyer’s website and their social media – including the reviews section. Remember that you can’t please everyone, so don’t put too much weight into one or two bad reviews, but if you start to see a pattern, consider crossing that lawyer off your list.

3. Schedule a Consultation

Once your research is done, narrow down your list to the top three, then call to schedule consultations. Most attorneys will meet with you for at least a brief consultation without charging you.

Pay attention to whether the person who answers the phone is polite and accommodating. When you arrive at the office, notice whether the location is convenient and whether you feel comfortable in the space.

4. Ask the Right Questions

When you sit down with the lawyer, it’s a good idea to have a list of questions prepared. This will ensure that you make good use of the time you have and that you don’t forget anything important.

Some of the questions you’ll want to ask include:

  • Do you specialize in cases like mine?
  • How long have you been practicing?
  • Do you feel that I have a strong case?
  • How much do you think my case is worth?
  • How often do you take cases to court vs. setting?
  • Who will be handling my case?
  • How and when will I need to pay?

Look for an attorney who is honest and upfront when answering your questions. Don’t be afraid to take notes, as you’ll want to compare the interviews with each of your top three options and remembering who said what could become a challenge.…

5 Reasons To Hire a Divorce Lawyer

5 Reasons To Hire a Divorce LawyerIf you’re at the beginning of your divorce process, you may be considering representing yourself instead of hiring a lawyer, thinking you’ll save time and money by doing so. If your marriage was very short, if both of you are committed to ending your marriage without a legal or financial battle, if you have no children or assets, and if neither of you wants or needs to receive spousal support (alimony) from the other, then you may be able to process your own divorce using a kit or online tools.

However, most people find divorce to be a complicated and confusing process, and they’re grateful to have an experienced family lawyer to help guide them through it. You’ll need to make a lot of decisions that will affect the rest of your life – at a time when emotions may overwhelm your ability to think clearly. So although not everyone needs a divorce lawyer, obtaining a good one is often in your best interests – especially if your divorce is complicated, contested, involves children, you have significant assets, or if your soon-to-be ex-spouse has hired a divorce lawyer.

Here are five reasons to consider hiring a divorce lawyer rather than representing yourself in court.

1. You are unfamiliar with matrimonial law and/or family court

In court, self-represented litigants are not given any special treatment; judges hold them to the same standards as the lawyer for the other side. Most judges are fairly patient people, but if you don’t know the law – or what documents you need, or even what to do next – you may be pushing the judge’s patience past the breaking point. The more annoyed a judge is, the less sympathetic he/she is likely to be. Family lawyers are experts in knowing what to say to make their case seem more reasonable than yours. Lawyers who focus on areas outside family law hire a family lawyer when they’re getting a divorce; they recognize that they’ll be out of their depth when faced with a lawyer who practices family law exclusively. So it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll be able to adequately prepare to face the court process – and your spouse’s lawyer – by yourself. To make matters worse, you can jeopardize your entire case by saying or doing just one thing wrong.

2. You need objective advice at this emotional time

Divorce is an extremely emotional time for both spouses. You may experience feelings of sadness, betrayal, fear, depression, rage, confusion, and resignation – sometimes all on the same day! This level of heightened emotions, and the fact that you cannot possibly be objective about your case, will skew your judgement. Very few people have had the time or the willingness to work through their emotions about their soon-to-be ex-spouse during the divorce process, which will hinder their ability to work productively with the other side to resolve important matters. If you’re thinking of representing yourself, you need to be aware that your emotional state may prevent you from making wise decisions about the future.…

The Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer

Lady Justice with the Alton Law symbol overlaid with the text "Your Legal Dragon"

If it’s something that you could’ve predicted from a mile away or if it’s something that came as a total shock to you, when the time does come for you to hire a lawyer, you might feel really uncomfortable. Maybe you’ve never been inside of a courtroom or even to a courthouse. Maybe you’ve never received a legal document before. Maybe you don’t even know what a legal document looks like. It’s completely normal to feel unsure, nervous or even scared when faced with any kind of legal dispute because it is unknown territory to you.

However, hiring a lawyer doesn’t have to be something scary or something that you’re uncomfortable with. Here are some tips to help guide you as to what you can expect from hiring legal counsel, and why you should consider hiring a lawyer. The reality is that if you don’t hire a lawyer in a situation where you really do need one, then that could turn into a nightmare and you could be walking into something that has serious repercussions that you’ll be paying for in the long run.

The first benefit of hiring a lawyer is the obvious: we know the law. Lawyers are trained and experienced to study the relevant laws for a particular situation. There are a lot of different cases to which different laws and procedures apply. For example, a civil case is different from a criminal case which is different from a divorce case which is different from an immigration case. You should look for the right kind of lawyer for your particular situation because the lawyer knows which laws are going to apply, and more importantly which laws are going to help or hurt you in your particular situation.

The next benefit of hiring a lawyer is that the lawyer acts as your advocate and your defender throughout the entire legal process so that you’re not going through this alone. A lawyer should be an experienced professional who is on your side that’s going to walk you through the entire procedure, which might be as minor as making some phone calls to the other side’s lawyer, or may be as complicated as having to go to court, or even attend a trial. Apart from the trial and some other key hearings, hiring a lawyer means you don’t have to go to court, because the lawyer representing you will do the dirty work for you and attend court hearings and handle all of that on your behalf. By hiring a lawyer, you won’t have to take off time from work nor take time away from your family or your friends to deal with whatever legal headache is upon you.

Also, its important to note that if you try to go into the courtroom as a pro se litigant (which means you’re representing yourself) the judge is going to treat you as if you are your own attorney. That kind of treatment could backfire for your and your case in that means you have to comply with all of the legal technicalities that apply to your case, including the procedures that are following in and out of the courtroom (this could be anything from how many days you have to respond to a motion or how long a trial is to the specific words you’re supposed to use when addressing the judge and addressing a courtroom).…

10 Reasons Why You Should Hire A Divorce Attorney

top reasons to hire a divorce attorney in st petersburg fl

benefits of hiring a divorce attorney in st petersburg flDeciding to get a divorce from your spouse is a life-changing decision; one that can have far-reaching effects on the rest of your life.  So, you (or your spouse) decide to get a divorce; but what do you do next? Now you’re faced with another tough decision—to hire or not to hire an attorney.  Deciding to hire an attorney is a daunting task; you have to figure out who to hire and how much it is going to cost, for starters. You may even be wondering if hiring an attorney is even worth it; people represent themselves in divorce proceedings all the time, don’t they?   While appearing pro se (the legal term for representing yourself) is common in divorce cases, you should think about it like having an issue with the plumbing at your home. Sure, you could probably fix it yourself with a little help from the internet, and it may turn out okay…or the problem may end up a complete disaster, who knows? On the other hand, you could hire a plumber who will make sure that the problem is fixed quickly and effectively.  The same idea applies to hiring a divorce attorney.

Here is a list of 10 reasons why you should hire a divorce attorney:

1.You want someone who is on your side.

Going through a divorce is stressful; not only do you have to deal with the divorce itself, but you also have to deal with the reactions of your friends, your neighbors, your family.  It can be overwhelming trying to adjust to the changes you are making in your life, and it may feel like you have no one to turn to for guidance. Having an attorney can help. A good divorce attorney will not only help you with your legal issues, he or she will also provide you with a source of support and advice to assist you with making sound decisions.

2. You want someone who can explain the law.

The law is complex and filled with tiny, important details that are easy to miss for someone who is not familiar with the law. Much of the language used in statutes and court orders have special meanings that are specific to the law and differ from their everyday usage.  Hiring an attorney means that you have someone who is intimately familiar with the law that will govern your divorce. An attorney will be able to help you understand the meaning of statutes and court orders and how they apply to your situation.

3. An attorney will help ensure everything is fair.

One of the biggest concerns in divorce proceedings is fairness.  The main focus of many divorces is how property or assets are going to be divided between the parties. There are also concerns about whether you or your spouse should receive alimony or who will make child support payments if necessary. Divorce attorneys deal with those concerns on a daily basis, and they know how to ensure that the dealings between the spouses remains fair.…

Own IT: How to Start a Law Firm in the Virtual Law Office Era


Attorneys starting a law firm after working for others need to begin with a vision that encompasses the types of legal services they will provide, the way they will relate to clients, and how much they expect to earn from their business. A well-thought-out vision and a realistic law firm business plan will guide your choices as you establish and grow your business and legal services. Here are some ideas for thinking through that vision.

IDENTIFY THE OPPORTUNITIES

For some attorneys – a patent law specialist in Silicon Valley, a divorce lawyer in Hollywood, an estate planner in an upper-middle-class suburb populated by baby boomers – choosing the core of their new practice is easy. But legal technology makes it possible today for attorneys to cast a wider net, practicing over a larger geographic area and expanding into other specialties. If you are contemplating starting a law firm on your own, you should take a realistic inventory of your own strengths and interests, as well as the population demographics and the types of businesses in your area when formulating a law firm marketing plan. With the right legal technology in place, it’s possible to think creatively about geographic areas and specialties that may be growth opportunities once your boutique law firm gets started.

Small law firms have to be smart about identifying and seizing opportunities, such as with business incorporations and transactional law. The economic turmoil that began in 2008 has caused a lot of people to reevaluate their priorities and hopes for the future. As the promise of guaranteed lifetime employment fades, many individuals have considered starting their own businesses. These new businesses are looking to small law firms to provide expert guidance in an efficient and friendly manner. So small law firm business lawyers who seek to build or broaden their practices should not overlook the potential clients in their own backyard. These attorneys know the communities in which their clients are operating and have a good feel for the importance of building long-term relationships with those clients.

As you think about your potential niche, consider the following advice from Nicholas Wells, an intellectual property attorney with Kirton McConkie, a Salt Lake City legal services firm.

1. Start with who you are

The obvious choice is the subject that most interests you. But consider also your personality, likes, and dislikes. Do you prefer doing legal research to handling emotional confrontations? Don’t go into family law. Speak another language? Consider immigration law. Love sailing? How about admiralty? Hate public speaking? Don’t become a litigator.

The benefit of starting a law firm is that you can tailor your practice to your personal strengths and make your professional life exactly what you want it to be – something that can be very difficult at a larger firm.

2. Consider geography and economics

Some niches work better in certain locations. Use your preferred location as a guide to suggest areas where you can succeed, such as practicing oil and gas law in Texas, copyright law in Los Angeles, corporate law in Nevada or Delaware, or elder law in Florida.…

How to Choose the Best Lawyers

When it comes time to hire a lawyer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You don’t normally have to employ legal counsel, so how do you know who you should call? Choosing from the many lawyers in Melbourne doesn’t have to be complicated, but you should have some guiding principles. While most lawyers look the same on the surface, they’re not all alike. Choosing the best lawyer is all about finding a person who has the skill and experience to handle your specific case, and with whom you can also feel comfortable. Here are some tips to help you make the best decision.

Ask for Recommendations

Assuming you need a lawyer to handle a matter that won’t bring you embarrassment, you might begin by asking your friends and family for recommendations. Some of the best lawyers in Melbourne operate almost entirely on referrals. They do good work for people who eventually tell their friends and family about them. Chances are high that someone in your circle has used a lawyer and can tell you what it’s like to work with that professional. If you’re facing a potentially embarrassing criminal charge, then perhaps you won’t want to reveal this to your friends. If it’s something more routine, starting with those you trust is a good strategy.

Look for Lawyers with Expertise in Your Specific Area of Need

Some lawyers bill themselves as generalists, meaning they try to handle everything that comes through the door. They might do some car crash cases, some criminal defense cases, and some wills and trusts. Other lawyers choose to handle specific types of cases. You should look for a lawyer who has some specific experience in your area of need. For example, if you’ve been charged with a crime, it doesn’t make sense to choose a lawyer who mostly helps small businesses. When you meet with lawyers in Melbourne, make sure you ask them about their experience with different kinds of cases.

Choose a Lawyer You Feel Comfortable With

Many clients have complaints about lawyers who fail to live up to their high standards. They claim that the lawyer didn’t call them back, didn’t listen to them or didn’t seem to take their issues seriously. When you meet with new potential lawyers, make sure you develop a level of comfort with them. The best lawyers will do the following:

 

  • Call or email you back as soon as possible
  • Pass important information on to you as soon as they get it
  • Ask you for input on big decisions
  • Recognize that your case is ultimately about you and your needs

Look for Strategic Thinkers

You should look for lawyers who will think their way through every case. A good lawyer will see your case as a puzzle with many potential solutions. They’ll be able to think through the puzzle, coming up with as many solutions and possible outcomes as possible. When you first meet with a potential lawyer, ask them how they would think through your case and listen to them talk through it.…

7 Essential Legal Tips for Small Business Owners

Lawyer and client signing on document

When you apply for a driver’s license, you must pass a test of your knowledge of the traffic laws and rules of the road that you learned from studying a driver’s manual. When you open a small business, no one hands you a manual to study in order to learn fundamental principles of law pertaining to contracts, employment, taxation, employee benefits and other legal issues that routinely arise in business.

Small business owners need to be able to recognize when an activity related to their business requires the assistance of a lawyer. Just as you learned from studying the driver’s manual that you must come to a complete stop when you approach a red, octagonally shaped sign; the seven essential legal tips that follow can help you recognize when to contact a business law attorney for advice and representation.

A verbal contract can be as binding and enforceable as a written one

Contracts are the backbone of the business world. Every time you call a supplier and request a delivery of goods creates a contract that is as valid as a 15-page written and signed document. The problem with verbal agreements has to do with proving what the parties agreed to should it become necessary to go to court to enforce them.

Written contracts avoid disputes over the terms of an agreement. Besides, the law requires that the following types of transactions must be in writing:

·         Agreements for the sale of goods having a value of $500 or more.

·         Agreements for the sale or transfer of real property.

·         Agreements that cannot be fully performed and completed within one year.

Contract laws vary from one state to another, so speak with a business law attorney at Herrig & Vogt about formalizing agreements related to your business.

Select and form a business entity

Deciding on the structure of your business should be the first thing you do when starting a business. The most common forms of business structures are the following:

·         Sole proprietorship.

·         Partnership.

·         Corporation.

·         Limited liability company.

The type of structure you choose will affect how decisions are made, how taxes are paid and the extent of the personal liability of owners for the debts and liabilities of the business. For example, a sole proprietorship is easy to set up and operate, but the personal assets of the owner may be seized to satisfy liabilities related to operation of the business. Talk to an attorney about the structure that is best for your business.

Take steps to protect intellectual property

Turning the name and logo of your business into a brand to attract and retain customers takes time, effort and the expenditure of money that can be lost when used by another business without your permission. This is only one example of the importance of taking steps to protect your rights to intellectual property through patents, trademarks and copyrights.

A consultation with an attorney can identify intellectual property concerns and address them before problems arise.…