For many, finding a lawyer can be a complicated and intimidating process. But when you need help with a legal matter, finding the right representation can make or break your case.

Just like with any specialist, finding a good legal advisor requires thorough research. After all, you will be sharing confidential information with this person, and you will be trusting them with giving you proper legal advice for a situation you are not able to navigate on your own. 

When choosing a lawyer, there are lots of things to consider, including their area of expertise, qualifications and costs, to ensure you find a specialist that suits your particular needs. This is why, to help you out, we put together a list of things to consider when searching for a legal counsellor. 

Assess your needs

The lawyer of your choice will be the one helping you solve your legal problems, so it needs to be someone that matches your particular needs. Are you looking for someone to help an old relative with their will or someone to help you with the expansion of your small business? The law has many specialties or sub-specialties, so your need to determine your situation before looking for a suited attorney.

Once you identified the legal aspect of your issue, you can go ahead and ask around for attorneys that have experience with cases similar to yours. Ask for recommendations in your social circle or look online for reviews. Platforms such as Advokatmatch are also an excellent place to start, as you can simply put in some information about the case and they will match you with three potential lawyers you can choose from. 

Make a list of potential lawyers

Gather all the recommendations you get and make a list of potential lawyers. You don’t need to call each and every candidate on the list, but do your research and choose a few to meet with. 

Don’t go straight to the one that seems to have the best credentials, without a least talking with ore of two more legal advisors. Just because someone works for a large law firm, it does not mean they are the best match for you. Sometimes, going for a lawyer that works for a small firm can turn out to be an even better solution, as they may not have as many cases to work on, so they can dedicate more time for your matter. 

Research every name on your list by looking for their online reviews, or by asking those who have been represented by them a few questions. Once you narrowed your list down to a few options, you can go ahead and schedule meetings with them.

Take advantage of the free initial consultation

Many attorneys provide a free initial consultation, which usually does not last longer than an hour, but should be enough to present your case and ask them a few questions to decide if they are the right match for you.

When you meet with a potential lawyer, start by explaining your situation to them and then go ahead and ask some questions in regards to their expertise in cases similar to yours. Think of it as a job interview, where you are trying to find the best possible candidate for the job. 

Here are a few questions to consider:

• How long have you been practicing law?
• Do you have experience in cases similar to mine?
• What is your track record of success in similar cases?
• How are the fees structured? What additional costs should I be expecting?
• How often will we be communicating?
• Can you provide references from clients with similar situations?

After you meet with a few potential lawyers, it’s time to start comparing them and choose your future legal advisor. 

Take into consideration their areas of expertise

You may be meeting with the best criminal lawyer in your state, but if you are looking for someone to handle your divorce, then they may not exactly be the best fit for you. Just like doctors, lawyers are now specialized in certain areas of the law, such as criminal, family, employment, civil rights or real estate law.

In smaller communities, where there is limited legal help, you will often find general practice lawyers, who are open to working a variety of cases. While some may be good with handling common legal issues, if your situation is a little more particular, you need to look for someone with experience in that particular area. 

Choose an experienced lawyer

The field of expertise is one, but their overall experience is an entirely different story. Look for attorneys with experience in cases similar to yours, particularly if your situation is somewhat delicate. You can find out information about their past clients either by asking them, or by checking their website if they have one. 

Understand that attorneys are not allowed to disclose information about their clients, so don’t get upset if they can not answer every question you may have. Stick to questions that revolve around public information, such as the number of similar cases they have won, their approach in particular circumstances or their overall past experience. 

Evaluate costs

Finding an experienced lawyer may mean you need to take some extra money out of your pocket. After all, experience comes with greater costs. On the other hand, a less experienced attorney may bill less, but may not have the skills you need. The most challenging aspect when looking for a lawyer is finding the best one in your price range. 

Ask all potential attorneys you meet with for a quote, so that you can form a better idea on how they bill clients. Find out what their fees include and ask fi you will be billed separately for expenses such as travel, shipping or filing, as many attorneys don’t include them in their initial quote.

Compare costs for all your potential candidates and, when you do choose a law firm or attorney to represent you, make sure all costs and terms of the contract are clear.