Find Government Contracts Attorney By Valerie Brooks
In a perfect world, conflicts would be amicably resolved between the feuding parties. Although this is the ideal scenario, most of us have found ourselves in situations that require professional assistance. There are more people graduating from law schools than ever before, and there are more specialties to choose from today than even twenty years ago. Choosing the right attorney can be an overwhelming experience but there are ways to navigate the myriad attorneys out there. Knowing what to look for is the first step.
How Do I Know if I Need an Attorney?
On the positive side, sometimes an attorney is needed for a happy occasion, such as the purchasing of a new business, or obtaining a patent for an invention. More often than not, attorneys are needed to resolve conflicts, which may include divorce, discrimination, unfair business practices, or any number of situations where conflict may arise. For business purchases or any kind of fixed legal agreement you are interested in entering into, an attorney should be consulted. They are trained to detect loopholes, demystify tax issues, and navigate contracts and other legal documents that are not usually understandable to the layperson.
For personal conflicts, it is always best to try to negotiate a compromise or agreement with the offending party. When all attempts have failed, it's time to contact an attorney. It is important to present the attorney with supporting documents relating to the conflict. This may include letters, faxes, e-mails, phone calls, receipts, and bills. It is helpful to present the attorney with the name and title of the person(s) you dealt with, the dates, and times you communicated with them. The more information you can present to the attorney, the more time and money you save. Lastly, it is important to look for an attorney who specializes in the area you need help with. Just like you wouldn't hire a bicycle mechanic to fix your computer, you wouldn't want a divorce attorney to handle your car accident. Ask family, friends, and co-workers if they know of a good attorney within your needed specialty. If not, go through the phone book and start interviewing appropriate attorneys.
What Should I Ask the Attorney?
• Ask about the attorney's fee structure. Does he or she charge a flat fee for services or by the hour? Some services tend to be based on a fixed fee, such as drawing up a contract, or incorporating a company. Does the attorney bill monthly, weekly, or as one lump sum in the end?
• Does the attorney work on contingency? This means that you don't pay the attorney anything unless he or she wins the case. And then, the typical attorney's fee is one-third of the settlement, plus any extraneous fees. Many accident cases are handled on contingency.
• While state laws differ, some attorneys will have you sign a retainer, which is a legal agreement where you and the attorney agree to work together on a particular case. Some states will allow you to terminate the attorney-client relationship after settling any outstanding fees, while others state different provisions.
• When looking for an attorney to represent you, make sure you are both in agreement about the approach and direction you'd like the case to take. Is the attorney aiming for a trial or settling out of court? Every case should be handled according to its particular circumstances. Is this attorney evaluating your case with your best interest in mind?
• Don't be afraid to ask for the attorney's credentials. If you are approaching a large law firm, there may be a particular attorney who is best suited for your particular suit. Ask the firm who will be handling your case.
• Follow your gut. Do you have a good rapport with this attorney? Do you trust him or her? Do you feel the attorney has the ability to satisfactorily represent you?
Additional Legal Services:
Nationwide Find an Attorney Services:
American Bar Association
Service Center
321 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60610
800-285-2221
Martindale-Hubbell
121 Chanlon Road
New Providence, NJ 07974
800-526-4902 ext. 8001