Archive for February, 2013

If a legal matter or question should arise within a small business, it is quite helpful to have a well established relationship with a good business lawyer. There are two classifications for the same – those that handle lawsuits and those that handle corporate and tax matters. A company’s individual needs will dictate the type that they will need to select.

If a company doesn’t already have a relationship with a law firm, here are some tips for selecting one that is appropriate for your needs:

Websites with lists of attorneys and their specializations are available online. Client reviews are also viewable which is quite helpful in compiling a list of prospective lawyers.

Word of mouth is always a great way to obtain referral information. Friends, family, co-workers and other small company owners may be able to provide valuable insight into good legal representatives in your locale. Narrow the list you’ve accumulated down to three or four possible prospects. Search the law firm and lawyers’ names on the internet in order to obtain information about cases that they’ve worked on or material that they’ve written. Most law firms have websites, as well, that should have ample information about the philosophy and experience level of the firm.

Contact the bar association in your state to find out if the lawyer or law firm is in good standing with the organization. Make certain that the law offices are convenient to your work location and that the hours work with your schedule, as well.

The local newspaper may have archives that contain information on cases that the prospective business lawyer has worked on. Search the archives in order to glean any information that may be there.

Once the search has been narrowed even further, make appointments for a consultation with the top two choices. Come prepared with a list of questions to ask the prospective lawyer, regarding such issues as their level of experience with clients who are similar to you, how their fee structure works, how long they’ve been practicing law. Just visiting the concerned person will give you a good idea of how compatible the attorney and your company will be. Also notice how the office is run, whether the support staff is friendly, supportive and welcoming. These are all very important aspects to take into consideration when entering into a successful new business relationship.

After an initial consultation, it will most likely be evident if this is the appropriate business lawyer for your company. If not, keep looking; if so, congratulations!

An individual or business entity charged with any kind of criminal activity requires professional guidance from a professional criminal lawyer. Below are some pointers on how to find adequate legal representation.

Research

It is very important to find a defense lawyer who is experienced in criminal law. Similar to doctors, attorneys specialize in their services. The criminal legal process is a highly complex field. Therefore, only an expert criminal attorney should be engaged to represent you regardless of what type of case it is.

It is also best to engage a lawyer with specific experience pertaining to your kind of case. For example, if you are charged with a driving offense, ensure that he or she has many years of experience handling similar matters.

There are many ways to find suitable legal representation. The local bar association offers referrals and people you know also could be good resources. There are many legal forums online where you can inquire about legal representation and search in databases for criminal lawyers in your area. Be prepared to speak with several attorneys before making a decision on who will represent you and handle your case.

Investigate

Before choosing a few lawyers to speak with, check on his or her background online through a search engine. While this will not provide all of the information you need it could provide helpful information. Perhaps certain criminal lawyers are associated with similar matters to your own.

Check with the local bar association to ensure that he or she has not been disciplined and to ensure that all licenses are valid.

If you know someone who works in the legal profession or system check to see if they are familiar with the criminal attorneys you are considering.

Prepare

Prior to speaking with any legal professional gather all of your facts about the situation such as time, place, form and event. Every detail could be critical so ensure that you have all of the pertinent information prior to speaking with a criminal lawyer. Any attorney you speak with will need all of the facts about your case in order to assist you.

Questions to Ask

After you have decided on a few lawyers to speak with, find out:

1. The extent of their experience handling your type of case.

2. What the fee structure will be and exactly what is included. Often, a criminal lawyer will offer a free consultation. However, once engaged, there is either a flat or hourly fee. When charging hourly, lawyers charge for every phone call and interaction with you or on your behalf.

3. Who will be handling your matter. Some lawyers have a staff of attorneys who might be handling your case, while the lawyer you are speaking with will supervise. Make sure you are comfortable with that situation prior to engaging his or her services.

Finally, ensure that the criminal lawyer carries malpractice insurance. The ultimate goal is to find an experienced, credible criminal lawyer to represent you and handle your case in the most effective and expedient way possible.

No matter how lucky or careful you may be, chances are that sooner or later you will find yourself with a legal problem. Deciding whether or not the situation requires a need for a lawyer however is never easy. Many problems fall somewhere between a minor dispute that can be settled in small claims court or a criminal charge that calls for a skillful lawyer. If you are in doubt, consult a lawyer, especially if the problem is complex where consequences are far reaching and you need a lawyer.

Generally you need a lawyer if you are about to sign a contract you don not understand or agree with. You will need a lawyer if you are served with a summons or other legal document, or if you and your boyfriend are considering a prenuptial agreement. Another situation is if you want to adopt a child, your child gets into trouble with the law, or you and your spouse is seeking separation, divorce, or annulment. Another situation for a lawyer is if your ex wants to modify or terminate child support or maintenance payments, or alter your custody arrangement. Buying a home requires a lawyer or any other real estate, starting your own business,buying a franchise and if you are threatened with an eviction or foreclosure requires a lawyer.

How would you find a Attorney?

If you find yourself with a legal problem began by asking friends and relatives if they can suggest someone. With every lawyer that is highly recommended, you should still do some comparison shopping for costs and expertise as well as compatibility. Some places to start looking is in the yellow pages in your phone book. The Internet is another excellent place to find lawyers. Your accountant, insurance salesmen, Banker or other professionals whose judgment you respect may recommend a lawyer. Another place to look at and to consider is the government offices and agencies that deal with the subject of your legal problem. The alumni office of law school is great place to find lawyers. The Bar Association will have the names of lawyers also.

Here are some questions to ask when choosing a lawyer

The first question to ask your lawyer is will you be charged for an initial consultation. Next ask the lawyer how long he or she has been in business. You may also want to consider asking the lawyer are his clients primarily individuals or companies. You also need to ask the lawyer will he or she be able to work on your case immediately. Also ask what are the strength and weaknesses of your case. The Lawyer should also be able to give you copies of all relevant documents and correspondences for your case. You can also ask the lawyer for a written estimate of all costs before he or she begins to work on your case. You can also find out if he or she will consider a contingency fee basis. These are just a few ideas for questions that you should be asking when you need a lawyer.