Finding the Right Kind of Attorney for You

Choosing an attorney or law firm can be daunting. What kind of lawyer do you need? That’s a hard question to answer because each person’s situation is different. If you don’t have a solid recommendation, knowing what attributes the best lawyer for you has isn’t easy, especially if you have a legal problem that needs attention today.

Here are some thing to keep in minding during your search:

• Do you have a criminal or civil legal issue? Both?

The United States legal system handles criminal and civil issues differently. A criminal offense is behavior that is seen as doing harm to the public or the state, not just the victim. Things like assault, drunk driving, murder, and theft are crimes. If you or someone else is being charged with a crime, you’ll need a criminal defense attorney.

Civil issues are things like defamation, slander, negligence, or trespassing that are still illegal, but are considered matters to be settled between private parties with the help of the courts. If you aren’t being charged with a crime, then a civil attorney is probably what you’ll need.

Make sure you know whether your attorney handles criminal or civil cases, or both.

• Is this attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction?

This is an easy one, but it’s still important: a lawyer can only practice law in the jurisdictions (usually particular states) where they have been admitted. It won’t do you any good if you contact an attorney that is only barred in Ohio if your legal problem is in Pennsylvania. You’d better off contacting one of the top lawyers in Pittsburgh, instead. When in doubt, ask what states your attorney is admitted to practice in.

• Does this attorney have experience handling the type of legal problem you have?

The world of legal practice is vast and just because a lawyer or firm handles civil or criminal cases does not guarantee they have experience with your type of claim. Some firms specialize in certain areas, like estate planning, tax law, personal injury. etc. Others offer a more generalized practice, so if you’re not sure if your attorney has experience handling your type of claim, don’t be bashful: ask.

• When in doubt, ask for advice from people you trust.

If you’re stuck, ask for a recommendation from someone you know who might have been in a similar situation. For instance, the local chamber of commerce or a trusted business owner may be able to give you a referral for a local business attorney. Specialty nonprofit groups --like domestic abuse shelters or environmental protection agencies-- probably know attorneys that specialize in their types of cases, so if your case deals with subject matter they regularly handle, such groups may be a good place to ask for information. If all else fails, you can always get help from an attorney referral service. Such services exist expressly to help people find legal help, so don’t be bashful.