5 Important Questions to Ask an Attorney Before Hiring

 

Before you hire any criminal defense attorney, you should take some time to complete your research and get a few crucial questions answered.  Often potential clients don’t ask their attorneys questions that could impact the relationship between you and the attorney. It’s important to be aware of the way your case is handled.   

 

Don’t worry about offending a leading Los Angeles criminal defense attorney by asking questions like this.  Often, it has been observed that potential clients are concerned about offending an attorney.  But you, too, are making a very crucial decision as to whether the attorney is someone you wish to hire to handle your case.  The attorney should welcome and answer your questions without hesitation.  Let us find out the five questions you should ask: 

 

1. Are You Personally Going to Handle the Case? 

 

Several attorneys launch huge advertising campaigns to garner a huge volume of cases, and to refer the case to another attorney.  So, your case may not be handled by the reputed name and face you saw on the billboard. Another attorney at another law firm will take over and you know nothing about it.  There isn’t anything wrong with referring cases to other attorneys. The problem arises if the client is oblivious at the outset that the attorney you are contacting plans to do this.  The attorney should thoroughly discuss the same with the client to be sure that the client understands and is comfortable with the decision to refer and the recommended attorney.  Again, you should meet with the attorney you are being referred to and ask these same questions and be sure that you are satisfied with hiring a referral attorney.   

 

2. What Were the Results of Similar Cases Like Mine that You Handled? 

 

Results do make a huge difference.  But you should remember that each case is unique and it can often be challenging to compare results from one single case to another.  Realizing what result an attorney has obtained, will establish that the attorney has experience managing these types of cases and can obtain favorable results for clients, as done in the past.  The attorney must be able to tell you faster, without hesitation, about the settlement and verdict amounts he or she has obtained for cases like yours. Probe the lawyer's qualifications, training, and experience. When asked, the lawyer should categorically inform you about the lawyer's experience dealing with cases like yours. 

 

3. Can You Take the Case to Trial if Needed? 

 

All attorneys aren’t qualified to file a lawsuit and oppose a case to trial.  A few attorneys take cases hoping they will settle faster without the need to impose a burden on themselves and the cost of litigating a case to trial.  Hire a lawyer who will handle the case from day one, as if that is the only way to resolve it. The attorney should be willing and prepared to try every case if required. 

 

4. What Will Be My Obligation if We don’t Win After Hiring You? 

 

Ask upfront what will be expected from you out of this attorney-client relationship.  What are the costs to be borne by you?  What will be the fees?  What time requirements does the attorney expect from you?  Do you have to take time away from work to facilitate the case?  These may significantly vary from one personal injury attorney to another. Any attorney you are contemplating hiring should be able to easily elaborate on how fees and costs will be incurred and paid in a way that you understand, and you should ask the relevant questions regarding the arrangement when anything is unclear to you. 

 

5. May I Call or Mail You with Questions That I Have Regarding the Case? 

 

A major complaint about attorneys is their failure to maintain good communications with the client by returning calls and emails promptly and replying to the client's questions.  You must ask at the beginning how fast they return calls and emails and address any concerns you may have regarding the case.   

 

Inference  

 

The best lawyers in California are the ones whose working relationship with the client is paramount. The attorney should welcome any questions from the client and work professionally to promptly address all questions that the clients have.