Discover the Best Local Attorneys For your Case

Whether you are involved in a car accident, a work injury, an estate dispute or negligence claim, hiring the best local attorney for your case is the difference between winning and losing.

It is rare when litigants successfully represent themselves in legal proceedings. The amount of details and nuances involved in relevant laws and court hearings are impossible to navigate without a law degree. How do you discover the best local attorneys for your case?

Many practicing, quality attorneys are available in your local area. There are many ways in which to discover them. Basic online searches, word of mouth and even the ability to look up specific court cases to research winning/losing attorneys are all readily available options. Your case is important to you. Finding a qualified attorney is not complicated after doing an applicable amount of research. You want the best lawyer for your case. This means finding one who not only specializes in your case type, but also has a history of winning in court. Learn valuable tips on how to discover the best local attorneys for your case, below.

How to Find Local Attorneys for Your Case                     

Online searches are the new yellow pages. There are many website services and search engines designed to help you find attorneys. Start with a general search using Google, Bing or another search engine of your choice. From there the next step is to narrow the search.

Websites such as FindLaw, Attorneys.com, LegalMatch and LawInfo all specialize in helping clients find attorneys local to you. Some require more initial information than others, but the general search process is basically the same for all inquiries. Enter your zip code, type of case and/or type of attorney for which you are searching, and follow the prompts for a host of qualified options.

What Do Attorneys Do for You?

Attorneys perform many services in addition to trying cases. The first thing an attorney does is assess your case to determine if it is viable enough to pursue in court, or for a settlement. If it is not, he or she will explain to you the reasons behind such an assessment. If it is, the attorney informs you of the next steps, including information needed. 

The type of case you pursue determines what type of information you need to provide your attorney. Attorneys tell you what information to gather and why.  Other things attorneys do for you can include:

• telling you what to expect from your case.
• guiding you about how to behave in court.
• informing you about what potential compensation can be expected.
• telling you how long your case might take to be completed.
• assisting your decision to settle or go to trial.
• filing all applicable paperwork for the court, requesting hearing dates and strategizing to give you the best chance for winning your case. 

How to Choose a Good Attorney              

Choosing the first local attorney you discover might not provide you with the best attorney for your case. To choose a good attorney you must do research and comparison-shopping. This requires a bit of organization and effort on your part, but is well worth it in the end.

Make a list of all the attorneys in your area specializing in your case type. It is important to find attorneys offering free consultations. Good attorneys assess whether or not your case is worth taking in a matter of minutes. There is no point in charging clients whose cases will not be pursued and good attorneys know this. When speaking to the attorneys on your list, find out the win/loss percentage of all with whom you consult. It may seem obvious but hiring an attorney with a stronger record of winning cases is beneficial to your case, and it is your right to ask about it. It is also your right to know how much will be charged, under what circumstances and when. A good attorney is forthcoming about financial matters. 

Word of mouth is another tool for helping you choose a good attorney. Asking people in your community about their experiences with the attorneys under consideration is a valid way to assess potential attorneys. Online reviews are modern, electronic forms of word of mouth information. In the event you do not know anyone who has hired the attorneys with whom you are consulting, it is almost a certainty their respective clients will have left helpful public reviews on Yelp or similar sites. 

Can You Get an Attorney for Free?

The term “pro bono,” with regard to legal services means work taken without a fee, most often for defendants in criminal cases and/or those with lower income. Attorneys do require compensation. The U.S. Constitution also states citizens are entitled to legal representation in certain situations regardless of ability to afford it. This is especially true if you are charged with a crime potentially leading to imprisonment. If your case is not criminal in nature, can you still get an attorney for free?

There are rare cases where attorneys believe in the case and/or the causes behind it so much they take the case pro bono. Much more frequently, and depending on the type of case, attorneys only get paid if you win your case. Workers compensation and personal injury attorneys often work this way. If an attorney takes your case with no guarantee of payment, you can feel certain that attorney believes your case has a good chance of succeeding.