Five tips for selecting the right lawyer, at the right price
Nick Carter
Elder Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution practitioner, Conciliator, Collaborative Facilitator and Crisis Responder - BSc, MDR, Grad Dip FDRP, PRI
How do you find the perfect lawyer for you?
Your lawyer should have the specialist knowledge and experience you need, helps you understand the legal process, communicates and negotiates well and solves problems creatively. Your lawyer must be qualified to practice locally and have experience in your specific court system. Since there are thousands of firms out there ranging from sole traders to multi-nationals, the choice can be overwhelming and complicated. So, you will need to do some research and be prepared, if want to engage a local lawyer for an agreed budget and get a successful outcome.
Here are five tips to help simplify your decision-making:
1. Set a realistic goal
Your goal is to get your desired outcome as quickly and cheaply as possible. Try to keep you emotions in check and imagine the advice you would give a friend in the same situation.
2. Plan your pathway for success
Mediation is the fastest, cheapest way to get a successful outcome. If an independently managed compromise through lawyers is not an option, then litigation is your last resort. So you need to determine what type of lawyer you need based on your preferred pathway.
3. Get your story straight
Don’t waste your time or your lawyer’s time. Summarise your goals and preferred pathway for your lawyer before you meet. Also, ensure that your facts are evidenced and you have everything ready in a file to save time and expense.
4. Identify at least three potential lawyers
Don’t jump to hire the first lawyer you meet. They are not all the same. Ask you friends and family or a trusted advisor for personal recommendations, then go online and compare the lawyers against each other.
5. Test the market
Get your chosen lawyers to quote and don’t be afraid to let them know that they are competing for your business.
This advice is brought to you by Legal Brokers, a new online legal services marketplace, where you can test the market by inviting your selected lawyers to bid in a reverse auction for your business.