No doubt, at some point in your life, there will be times when you will need to turn to the help and assistance of an attorney. Selecting the right attorney can be an intimidating proposition. There are nearly 100,000 attorneys here in the state of Texas, who have been educated and have knowledge of different disciplines of the law. Those specialties include personal injury, estate planning, bankruptcy, intellectual property, employment, corporate, immigration, criminal, medical malpractice, tax, family, workers compensation, contract, social security disability, civil litigation, real estate, civil rights, general practice, and so much more.
Given the number of attorneys and the number of specializations, it’s no wonder that most people balk at trying to pick the right attorney. However, if you follow the steps below, you will not only find the ideal one for your particular need but you may also learn something about the law you are not aware of.
Here is a step-by-step guide to finding an attorney in Dallas.
Step One: Identify a few attorneys
First, determine the legal issue that you need help with. Once you know why you need an attorney, you can drastically narrow the list. Next, consult with friends who may have had a similar legal legal issue to get their recommendation.
If you don’t know anyone personally, there are a number of resources you can contact to help you with the search. For example, you can contact the state bar association in Texas, volunteer legal organizations, and lawyer referral services for assistance, including those available online and through a quick Google search.
Step Two: Check Their Backgrounds
Many of the same sources you used to identify the attorneys can be used to check out their background, which would include the state bar association and lawyer referral services. You can also check the Better Business Bureau and perform a Google search for insight into customer satisfaction and other opinions.
After this step you may have discovered information that may cause you to drop an attorney or two from your list.
Step Three: Interview the Attorneys
Make an appointment to meet with the attorneys that remain on your list and be prepared to ask detailed questions.
The top 12 questions to ask that will help you in making the final choice include:
- How long have you practiced law?
- What type of cases do you generally handle?
- What percentage of your practice is devoted to the particular area of the law in question?
- Who is your typical client?
- How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?
- Other than a law degree, what kind of special training or knowledge do you have that might apply to my situation?
- What are your fees and how are they billed?
- Will paralegals or legal assistance work on any part of my case? If so, what will they do?
- What is your approach or philosophy to winning or representing a case?
- Are there other ways to solving my legal problem?
- How will you let me know what is happening with my case?
- What is the likely outcome of my case?
A good attorney should not shy away from answering these direct questions, and you should have a good sense for who you would feel most comfortable working with.
Step Four: Select Your Attorney
After you have interviewed all the attorneys on your list, it is time to make the final cut. Make sure that you select a reputable attorney who is well versed in your particular legal predicament and who has assistants who are also well versed in your particular situation and can help with your case. Choose someone who will keep you well informed with what is happening and involves you in plans he or she makes in the pursuit of your case. The best relationship is one that is more akin to a partnership.
Of course, the team at Fears Nachawati would love to represent you for your legal needs and we are confident that we would be a great fit for you, given our experience, professionalism, wide range of legal practice areas, and our reputation as a top 5 law firm in the state of Texas.
The legal team at Fears Nachawati is standing by and ready to help you. Contact our experienced team today for a free, no obligation legal consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. Please call (866) 705-7584 or visit the offices of Fears Nachawati located throughout the great state of Texas, including in Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.