Hiring an attorney is a big decision. After all, this is someone who will be representing you in court, so you want to make sure you choose someone who is competent, experienced, and knowledgeable in law in which you need assistance.
To help you make the best decision possible, here are some questions you should ask when hiring an attorney.
- What is your experience with cases like mine?
You want to hire an attorney who has handled cases like yours in the past and knows the ins and outs of the law.
- Have you gone to trial with a case like mine?
If so, what was the outcome? You want to know if the attorney you’re considering has actually taken a case like yours to trial and what the results were.
- How much do you charge?
Attorneys typically charge by the hour or a flat rate. Be sure to get an estimate up front so there are no surprises later down the road.
- How long will my case take?
Again, this is something you’ll want to ask so that you can have a general idea of how long it will take to resolve your case and what kind of timeline you’re looking at.
- Who will be working on my case?
In some law firms, senior attorneys may delegate work to junior associates. If this is the case, you’ll want to know who will be handling your matter and whether or not they’re qualified to do so.
- What are your potential strategies for my case?
You’ll want to hear about the different ways your attorney plans on approaching your case and what their thoughts are on the best way to win.
- What are the risks involved in my case?
No one likes thinking about losing, but it’s important to know what the potential risks are so that you can make an informed decision about how to proceed.
- What are the odds of winning my case?
This question goes together with the previous one. You’ll want to know your chances of success before making any final decisions about whether to move forward with a particular legal matter.