If you are involved in any legal problem that you don’t know how to resolve, you should consider hiring a lawyer. Lawyers are intensively trained in the law and our legal system. If you are facing criminal charges, a lawyer can help you understand your rights, and the strengths and weaknesses of your case. A lawyer can help you get a divorce, file a lawsuit, file for bankruptcy, or create your will. Lawyers know all the rules and procedures for arguing your case in court. Whatever your legal problem, hiring the right lawyer can help you get through it successfully.
In California, there are over 160,000 practicing lawyers. There are a variety of ways to find the right lawyer for your needs. Following recommendations is a good way to find a lawyer. Ask your friends, co-workers, business owners, professionals, and employers if they know any lawyers. Lawyers can also help refer you to other lawyers who specialize in an area of the law relevant to your case.
You can also find lawyers through a local State Bar-certified lawyer referral service. This type of service refers potential clients to lawyers by interviewing you, and referring you to an attorney who is experienced in the appropriate area of the law. State-bar certified lawyer referral services must meet minimum standards established by the California Supreme Court. Because the State Bar is required to enforce those standards, which means you can file a complaint if you think those standards were violated and the State Bar would look into it.
You can also find lawyers through public interest groups. Non-profit public interest groups, such as organizations concerned with civil liberties and housing discrimination, could help point you in the right direction. Some organizations have staff lawyers who can hand such cases, and others provide legal help only to groups of people rather than individuals. You can find these kinds of groups by contacting a local bar association, State Bar-certified lawyer referral service, or government agency. In addition, you can find a lawyer through advertisements, client-attorney matching services, free legal aid agencies, dispute resolution programs, and prepaid legal service plans.
Before you go to meet with a potential lawyer, write down a few key points in your case that you would like to discuss with your lawyer, such as the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of everyone involved with your case. You may also want to bring any documents related to the case. Some lawyers may want to review the papers prior to the meeting.
During the meeting, ask the lawyer about any similar cases the lawyer has had in the past. You may also want to find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally. If the lawyer plans on having another lawyer from the law firm involved in your case, you will want to meet with them as well. Keep in mind that the age of a lawyer does not have any bearings on their competence. A lawyer who has practiced longer may have less experience in your type of case than a younger lawyer. When deciding whether or not to hire the lawyer, ask yourself if you are comfortable working with the lawyer and if you think the lawyer has the experience and skill to handle your case.
