Many individuals or business owners get into trouble with law once in a while. It can happen for number of reasons and can be as simple as getting a traffic ticket or a more serious crime with possibility of long jail time. Regardless of the type or seriousness of crime it pays to hire a law firm that will give their best to defend on your behalf in the court and get you out of trouble. As we all know not all law firms are created equal. You need to do your homework before retaining a lawyer to ensure it will not get you in even more trouble. So, what should you look for in a law firm before you make your decision? Here are 5 important factors you should consider.
- Staff – This is the most important criterion you need to consider before making your decision. The quality of their service will depend on the people they hire and their knowledge. You should ensure that the lawyers and supporting staff you will be working with have the credentials from reputed law school. You should also make sure they are licensed to work as a lawyer in the relevant area and state. Do not be afraid to ask questions and get the proof of their expertise and credentials before retaining them. Also, don’t just look at the leadership of the law firm, instead make sure everyone from top leader to supporting staff is capable of representing you. Many legal firms such as Astor Legal provide all the relevant information on their website, which makes it easy to get the details you need quickly.
- Experience – In addition to having the knowledge and credential it is also prudent to make sure the lawyers have the experience in relevant subject area. It is only from experience that anyone will be able to understand the details and nuances of your case and find the solution to get you out of trouble. As we all know possessing knowledge is important, but having experience is even more critical.
- Service – Customer service is important in any business and it is even more so with the legal firm. You will be interacting with many individuals in various capacity over many days via multiple channels. If they do not pay attention to your needs and don’t return your calls in a timely fashion not only will it frustrate you, but you may miss the important deadlines hurting your case.
- Cost – Cost is always a consideration you need to look at. The cost of legal bills can add up quickly. You should make sure you have clear understanding of how they charge you. You should be able to get the itemized bill that clearly shows how many hours they have spent on your case and any extra court fees they have incurred on your behalf. If you are hiring a father custody lawyer in Houston, you have to make sure you are getting your money’s worth, since the trial process takes a long time. Also, doing comparison with several law firms is not a bad idea.
- Recommendations – Finally, you should ask others who may have retained the firm about their experience. Nothing shows the quality of the law firm than those who have previously retained their service. You can also check online and social media sites where people may have provided their feedback.
Hiring a lawyer when you are in legal trouble is not an easy decision. Use these guideline to ensure you get the best one to give you advice and take you out of legal bind.
