In years gone by, whether you live in the UK or the US, you
would have to undertake the task of finding a lawyer or solicitor when a legal
dispute arose. The law professions were
seen as somewhat staid and many firms survived by operating on their long
established reputation. This approach
changed dramatically in the US in 1977 when advertising restrictions on lawyers
were greatly relaxed. Solicitors in the
UK were still under restrictions until the mid 90s, before following the lead
of the US. Now advertising has become
commonplace and you can’t turn on the TV without seeing a legal firm of some
type touting their wares. As a result
those who need a solicitor or lawyer will often go for the name that they
remember from a TV or radio advert.
However, this can be a mistake and you should really take more care before
making your choice.
Location
Whilst many solicitors and lawyers will operate across the
state or even country; it could be that their nearest office is a long way from
your home. Discussions can of course
take place over the phone, but in most instances being in the same room is a
necessity to deal with some matters thoroughly.
Therefore it is always advisable to first look for options in your local
area. The quickest and easiest way is to
do a Google search for the type of service you need and your location, eg. “solicitors in Pontefract”
or “lawyers in Orlando”.
Speciality
Once you have found a few local options then take some time
to highlight the firms that provide specialist representation in the area that
you require. Some unscrupulous firms
will be happy to represent your case even if they don’t have suitable knowledge
and experience, which could jeopardise your case. It is a good idea to ask the firm a few
questions about past cases that are similar to yours. It is possible to include your required speciality
into your Google search, eg. “solicitors in Pontefract” + “accident claim” or
“lawyers in Orlando” + “personal injury”.
History
Although it isn’t essential to find a firm that has been
operating for a long period, it can be a good guide. There will of course be excellent lawyers
that have only been operating for a relatively short period. However, if you go for one that has been
around for many years then there is a better chance that they work in the right
way, otherwise they would have gone bust by now. At this point have a dig around online;
looking for reviews of the firm and also ask friend and family members if they
have any experience of the firms you are considering.
Straight talking
The legal world can be
extremely confusing at the best of times and even more so if your legal
representative uses confusing language and jargon. In order to understand the details of the
case clearly it is important to be able to communicate effectively. Speaking to the remaining solicitors and
lawyers on your list over the phone should give you a clear indication of
whether you will be able to work effectively with them and help you make your
final choice.
Article Source: http://www.compensationsecrets.co.uk/