People usually select an attorney based on his or her reputation, references
from friends, relatives, local bar associations or organizations, or from
Yellow Pages, newspaper or television advertisements. You can also locate
lawyers on the Internet.
In choosing an attorney, you should ask the following questions:
What is your experience with the type of legal matter that I have?
What are your initial consultation fees and hourly rates?
Have you lectured at seminars held for the general public or other attorneys or written books or articles?
How many attorneys are in your firm? Is it a full service firm?
What days and hours is the office open?
Does the firm have specialists? In what areas? Although attorneys cannot hold themselves out as "specialists", attorneys may still state that their practice is "limited" to a certain area of the law, such as corporate or real estate.
What percentage of your practice is devoted to my type of legal problems? For example, if you have a real estate problem, you may want an attorney who devotes the majority of his or her time to real estate matters.
Does the firm provide tax return preparation and tax planning?
Does the law firm publish a client newsletter in which it explains new developments in the law? Are informational pamphlets on the law available?
Does the attorney have knowledge and experience with such non-legal concepts as corporate finance, financial accounting, management techniques and how to work with bankers, brokers, insurers and industrial development agencies?
You have a right to expect that your attorney will:
Promptly return your phone calls;
Be available on short notice to provide straight-forward and prompt answers to your questions;
Solve your problems;
Never surprise you with an unexpected bill;
Recommend ways for you to save legal costs, cut taxes and prevent lawsuits and
Be up-to-date on the most recent changes in the law.
Discount Legal Service Plans
Q:
What are Discount Legal service plans? What do they cover?
A:
Clients or their employers, unions or associations belong to a plan. When
they need legal services for specified matters such as wills or real
estate closings, they are referred to a panel attorney. Clients either
pay no fee for the legal services or a reduced fee.
Over 85 million Americans belong to Discount Legal Plans; most of whom are middle class people who would otherwise not seek the services of an attorney. Legal service plans help members prevent legal problems before they occur. A lawyer can review a document or contract before you sign it. Or you can consult with an attorney before suing a merchant or landlord.
For detailed information on Discount Legal services and the different legal service plans available, visit the Discount Legal Services section of this website.
