Have you ever hired a lawyer? Do you know anyone who has done it? Whether you or someone you know has hired an attorney for personal or business matters, you have probably heard at least one horror story. That’s because few people do the research necessary to choose a good lawyer before they need one legal separation lawyer.
It’s easy to find a lawyer, but finding a great lawyer you can afford can be a challenge. We have to do homework.
Use the following 6 tips to find online lawyers suitable for your company’s needs:
- Ask people you know
Ask people you know to recommend a lawyer. There is no better way to research a business lawyer than to get real testimonials from people you know and trust.
If you’re active on social media (and as a business owner, you should be), then you can ask everyone who follows you for recommendations, too.
- Review Attorneys’ Social Media Profiles
Unfortunately, most lawyers have not yet embraced technology, particularly social media, but those who understand that we live in a digital world where digital business is the norm offer plenty of information about themselves in their profiles. of social networks.
Visit their LinkedIn profiles and review their experience. Read the recommendations that other LinkedIn users have submitted about them, and read the content they publish on LinkedIn.
Check their Facebook and Twitter profiles, and if they write a blog, read that too. These profiles are windows into a lawyer’s knowledge and experience.
- Don’t limit your search to big law firms
A large firm with dozens of lawyers may seem like the most suitable option, but don’t jump on the bandwagon without thinking carefully first. Do you want to be a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond?
Big law firms have hundreds or thousands of clients, and many of those clients pay the big firms much more money than you do. Which client will have priority? The one who pays millions of dollars to the firm each year or the one who pays hundreds a year? If your legal matter is small, you’ll likely be assigned to a low-level associate, so all that big-firm experience won’t even touch you.
Additionally, large law firms have a high price tag. You can often find a small firm with lower prices but equal (or better) lawyers. Search among them.
- Talk to the people you are actually going to work with
When you contact or meet with a law firm, make sure you speak to the attorney and team that will actually work on your business matters.
For example, a partner at a large law firm may make himself available to you for an initial consultation, but once you hire the firm, you never speak to him or her again.
You want to build a relationship with the people you will be working with on an ongoing basis, so make sure they are involved from the beginning.
- Ask
The biggest mistake you can make when choosing a business lawyer is to call a law firm and ask how much they charge for a specific service. A great business lawyer will be reluctant to give you a price for a specific service until they understand more about your situation and needs.
A great business lawyer will tell you what you need instead of charging you for anything you ask for. With this in mind, delve deeper into your initial calls. Ask tough questions and get thorough answers to make sure the attorney really knows his or her job before you hire him or her.
- Find a proactive business lawyer
You don’t want to hire a business attorney who will simply create documents for you. A transactional relationship that is highly reactive (i.e. the attorney waits for you to ask for something before providing something) will not necessarily be the right help for you or your business.
Instead, look for a business lawyer who wants to fully understand your business, anticipate problems, recognize opportunities, and recommend legal support that can help you achieve your goals.