Regardless of the nature of your case, filing a lawsuit can be a stressful, chaotic, and an emotionally and mentally draining time. However, during this difficult time, it’s important to retain the services of an experienced and empathetic legal attorney. Whether you are need of an appellate attorney, a criminal appeal attorney, federal appeals attorney, or a criminal defense lawyer, it’s important to find an attorney who understand your needs while helping you to navigate through the legal process.
First, being by determining exactly what kind of lawyer you may need. It’s okay if you don’t have a solid understanding of the kind of legal attorney you’ll need, but it’s beneficial to begin generating ideas. For example, family law covers a wide range of incidences, such as disputes concerning not only divorce, but parental rights, surrogate rights, child support and custody. If your case is regarding a child custody dispute, it’s best to find a legal attorney who experience in that specific area.
Next, begin asking those closest to you and whom you trust, such as family and friends, for personal recommendations. They may have experience working with an attorney in your area, or may know someone who does. Getting a personal recommendation can be especially helpful, particularly from someone you already know and trust. They will be able to provide you with valuable insight in regards to how well the attorney represented them, in addition to their level of comfort in working with the attorney. It’s also a good idea research attorneys in your area online, and create a list of possibilities. Be sure to cross reference this list with your state’s bar association, in order to find out if any complaints had been filed against the lawyer’s in questions.
After narrowing down your list of lawyers, you can begin to schedule initial consultations or interviews. These interviews are critical in determining which lawyer is best for your needs. During this time, be sure to come prepared with a list of questions and concerns, and take notes if necessary. Give yourself time to make a decision, as opposed to rushing. Most importantly, listen to your intuition. Learn more about this topic here.