Choosing a lawyer is often done in a hurry. To ensure that you are well advised and defended, it is however essential to take into account certain criteria such as the area of specialization of the lawyer or his reputation. In order to find the best lawyer for your situation, JeTrouveMonAvocat presents the five key factors to analyze.
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 be specialized in legal advice while others are more dedicated to litigation and defense before the courts.
You can also decide to go to a general practitioner or to a lawyer competent in a particular area of law . The most important thing is to check that the lawyer has the necessary skills to handle your case. For this, you can call the law firm directly or consult their online profile to find out their areas of expertise.
Be aware that files relating to family law or labor law can generally be handled by a general practitioner. But for some more specific issues, it may be best to hire a lawyer with special skills.
If you don’t know how to orient yourself, here are some examples:
in the event of a real estate dispute (sale, succession, collection of rent): choose a real estate lawyer;
for copyright issues, choose an intellectual property law firm;
in the event of theft, defamation or violence, choose a criminal lawyer.
The geographic location of the lawyer
Choosing a lawyer practicing near you is often the most advantageous solution. In addition to reducing travel costs, this will also allow you to discuss 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 on a lawyer located under the jurisdiction of another bar.
If your case is judged far from your place of residence , it may be preferable to choose a lawyer located directly on the spot. Indeed, if your lawyer wishes to defend you in a court of law different from 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 an additional cost.
The relationship with the lawyer
To ensure you find the right lawyer, trust yourself. Does the lawyer appear to you to be pedagogical and competent? Does he show himself to listen? It is essential that you feel comfortable with your lawyer in order to be able to explain the details of your case precisely.
Prepare questions in advance that will allow you to get a better idea of the lawyer’s expertise:
A good lawyer must be available and keep you regularly informed of the progress of the file. Remember to ask your lawyer from the first meeting about his preferred means of communication and his availability .
Lawyer’s fees
Fees are obviously an essential criterion in choosing a lawyer. A good lawyer must be transparent about his fee practice (flat rate/hourly rate). Remember to ask him for a quote on your first appointment.
Keep in mind that the fees of a law firm are not regulated and that each lawyer is therefore free to offer his clients the rates he wishes . In most cases, lawyers apply an hourly rate which they then adapt to the complexity of each file.
If they seem too high, you can absolutely decide to turn to another firm whose prices correspond more to your budget.
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 prove their particular skills in a specific area of law, obtained after at least four years of experience in legal practice and a professional examination.
However, legal knowledge should not be the only criterion for judging a lawyer’s skills. Indeed, his human skills and especially relational skills are essential to guarantee quality communication and a healthy client/lawyer relationship.
Be aware that a lawyer’s visibility on the internet thanks to a well-referenced site can also be a good indicator of his reputation. And different points can help you in your selection.
The professionalism of the site : a quality website that is regularly updated shows that the lawyer has sufficient resources to hire a specialist in charge of the professional aspect of his website.
Information about the lawyer and his firm : these headings can help you find out more about the notoriety and especially the skills of the lawyers practicing within the firm (universities, diplomas, etc.).
Areas of expertise: most often, the website of a law firm gives 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 avoid a bad surprise.
Aware of the time that may be necessary to find the right lawyer, JeTrouveMonAvocat allows you to get in touch with expert and trusted lawyers present throughout the country .
Choosing a lawyer is often done in a hurry. To ensure that you are well advised and defended, it is however essential to take into account certain criteria such as the area of specialization of the lawyer or his reputation. In order to find the best lawyer for your situation, JeTrouveMonAvocat presents the five key factors to analyze.
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