How To Retain A Legal Team Article

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How to Retain a Legal Team

Author: Lindsey Malberg

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It happens to everyone. Something unexpected pops up, and a lawyer is needed. However, finding the right legal team can be difficult. And once they have been found, making sure they are taking care of your case in a timely manner can also be difficult. So, here are a few basic rules that can help you retain a legal team.

Ask someone for a recommendation. I have noticed that good lawyers have good reputations. In fact, people are often times more willing to gripe about their lawyers than recommend them. So, if you have a friend or family member who actually recommends a lawyer to you, look them up.

Do your research. There are sites online that can give you plenty of information on the lawyers in your area. For instance, NoLo’s Lawyer Directory has lots of information about each registered lawyer, including licensing information, qualifications, case types, fee structure, and more. If you can’t find what you’re looking for there, go to lawyers.com. Make sure that you know each lawyer’s case record, how long they have been practicing law, what other lawyers think of them, how they rate in their community, and whether or not they are in your price range. Remember, whether or not a lawyer has been recommended to you, it is your responsibility to make sure that you get the best lawyer possible.

Do your homework. Have a basic knowledge about your case and what the law says about it before going in to see any lawyer. In other words, know your rights. Most people think that having knowledge of the law is the lawyer’s job alone, but that’s not true. Understanding the law and your case will not only help you find a good lawyer, but will also gain you that lawyer’s respect.

Interview them. Don’t feel honored just because a lawyer has agreed to take your case; make sure you want them taking it. During the initial consultation, each lawyer will interview you and decide if they want to take your case. Make sure that you interview them as well, finding out about their track record, what types of cases they have worked in the past, how much time they truly feel can be devoted to your case each week, etc. Also ask about fees and billables, not just hourly rates, so that you won’t be surprised by your bill. And ask these things with respect and grace, understanding that even lawyers have feelings.

Make sure you like them. Having a good relationship with your lawyer is crucial. Now, I don’t mean that you should go over to each other’s house every weekend and watch movies. I mean, figure out if you are treated well and respected. If your lawyer has a rotten personality, that same personality will come out in court. So, make sure that you can get along well with them, respect their decisions, and trust them to represent you. Trust is a very important part of choosing a lawyer; don’t take it lightly.

Charm the Secretary. Absolutely nothing will get done quickly in a legal office unless the legal secretaries like you. Now, keep in mind that, while you have hired a lawyer, you have also hired a whole legal team. And while your lawyer might represent you in court, the legal secretaries are responsible for reminding your lawyer to call you back, filing your paperwork with the courts, keeping on top of discovery information (like evidence logs and depositions), and organizing your trial data into large binders with legal exhibit tabs so that your lawyer can present a solid case before a judge. Therefore, be sweetness itself. Bake cookies for them when you know you have an appointment coming up, buy them small things at Christmas, and talk nicely to them all the time. The most important rule is this: if you get frustrated, don’t take it out on the secretaries.

Knowing Your Designer

About Author

Lindsey Malberg is a legal secretary who is very organized. When she needs to prepare discovery binders for trail cases, she always uses the Legal Tabs Company available at Exhibit Dividers, especially since they can be custom ordered with the exact number she needs. And with same day shipping, Lindsey is guaranteed to have her binders trial ready long before opening arguments.

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How to Retain a Legal Team