Key Questions to Ask a Lawyer

Recent statistics show that there are over 1.3 million lawyers operating in the United States, each specializing in their own areas of expertise and offering their services to people from all walks of life in need of assistance.

There are many different situations when you might need to call on the services of a law firm. Perhaps you've gotten a DUI, been charged with a criminal offense, suffered an injury at work or on the road, or something totally different.

In any of these situations, people can sometimes panic. A lot of individuals don't have much or any history in terms of working with lawyers, and many don't know quite where to start. It's important to stay calm and remember to take your time.

As stated above, there are a lot of lawyers out there, and some will be much better suited for your case than others. Be patient, do your research, and make the most of consultations with this list of key questions that can help you to learn more about each firm before choosing which one to hire.

How Much Experience Do You Have and What Are Your Areas of Expertise?

It's important to note that law has many different fields, and law firms each tend to specialize in one or two specific areas of the law. The Rodriguez Law Group, for example, is specialized in criminal defense, covering a range of different crimes from drug crimes and DUIs to theft crimes, sex crimes, and more.

Other firms will have totally different areas of expertise and very different experience levels too. It's important to make sure you find a firm and a lawyer that is specialized in an area which is relevant to your case, as well as ensuring that they have a sufficient level of experience in order to give you the best chances of success.

How Will We Communicate?

Another key question to always remember to ask during lawyer consultations is this one. Lawyers can communicate in very different ways to one another. Some of them may be quite communicative with their clients, always keeping you updated and always easy to reach over the phone or via email, whereas others will be more independent in their style of work.

It's important that you know what sort of lawyer you're working with before you actually sign on the dotted line and hand over a retainer. Some people may prefer lawyers that keep them updated and informed every step of the way, while others will be happy enough with a more independent lawyer who does a lot of 'behind the scenes' work. Find one that matches your preferences.

What's the Cost and How Should I Pay?

Of course, one of the big factors that a lot of people tend to focus on and think about when hiring a lawyer is the cost. You'll naturally want to know how much money you'll be expected to pay for the time and services of your lawyer, and the truth is that a lot of people have no idea how much lawyers cost.

The truth is that fees can vary a lot from one firm to the next, so it's always wise to ask this question and get an idea of how much you need to pay, whether or not a retainer is required, and so on. You should also make sure to ask how you'll be expected to pay, as some lawyers demand up-front fees, others will offer payment plans, and so on.

Do I Have a Good Chance of Winning?

This question might seem a little direct, but it's still worth asking. Ultimately, the most important reason why people seek out the services of lawyers in the first place is because they have found themselves faced with a legal dilemma and want to overcome it in the best possible way, ideally winning their case or at least making the strongest possible defense for themselves.

It's perfectly normal and natural, therefore, to want to know if your lawyer believes you have a good chance of winning your case. This question allows you to get some insight into how the case may progress, but it's important to note that lawyers aren't able to predict the future with any kind of certainty. They'll give you an educated opinion on the matter, and it's up to you to decide what to do with that.

Conclusion

Finding the right lawyer can feel like quite a challenge at first, but as long as you make the most of the consultation process and truly take the time to interview each firm one by one, you can get all the info you need to make the right choice.