Have you ever hired a lawyer? Do you know someone who has? Whether you or someone you know has hired an attorney for personal or business matters, you’ve probably heard at least one horror story. That’s because few people do the necessary research to choose a great lawyer before they need one.
It’s easy to find a lawyer, but finding a great lawyer whom you can afford can be challenging. You have to do your homework!
Use the 10 tips below to find the right attorney for your business needs:
1. Ask People You Know
Ask the people you know for attorney recommendations. There is no better way to vet a business attorney than by getting real testimonials from people you know and trust.
If you’re active on social media (and as a business owner, you should be), then you can ask everyone who follows you for recommendations, too.
2. Review Attorneys’ Social Media Profiles
Unfortunately, most attorneys have yet to embrace technology, particularly social media, but those who understand that we live in a digital world where digital business is the norm provide a bevy of information about themselves on their social media profiles.
Visit their LinkedIn profiles and review their experience. Read the recommendations that other LinkedIn users have submitted about them, and read the content they publish on LinkedIn.
Review their Facebook and Twitter Profiles, and if they write a blog, read that, too! These profiles are windows into an attorney’s insights and experience.
It’s easy to find a lawyer, but finding a great lawyer whom you can afford can be challenging. You have to do your homework!
Use the 10 tips below to find the right attorney for your business needs:
1. Ask People You Know
Ask the people you know for attorney recommendations. There is no better way to vet a business attorney than by getting real testimonials from people you know and trust.
If you’re active on social media (and as a business owner, you should be), then you can ask everyone who follows you for recommendations, too.
2. Review Attorneys’ Social Media Profiles
Unfortunately, most attorneys have yet to embrace technology, particularly social media, but those who understand that we live in a digital world where digital business is the norm provide a bevy of information about themselves on their social media profiles.
Visit their LinkedIn profiles and review their experience. Read the recommendations that other LinkedIn users have submitted about them, and read the content they publish on LinkedIn.
Review their Facebook and Twitter Profiles, and if they write a blog, read that, too! These profiles are windows into an attorney’s insights and experience.
3. Don’t Limit Your Search to Large Firms
A big law firm with dozens of attorneys might seem like the right choice, but don’t jump on the bandwagon without careful consideration first. Do you want to be a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond?
Large law firms have hundreds or thousands of clients, and many of those clients pay big firms a lot more money than you will. Which client will be prioritized? The one that pays millions of dollars to the firm each year or the one that pays hundreds per year? If your legal issue is small, you’ll likely be assigned to a low-level associate, so all of that big firm experience won’t even touch you.
Also, big law firms come with big price tags. Often, you can find a small firm with lower prices but equal (or better) attorneys. Shop around!
4. Talk to the People You’ll Actually Work With
When you contact a law firm or meet with them, make sure you’re talking to the attorney and team who will actually be working on your business matters.
For example, a partner at a large firm might make himself or herself available at an initial consultation, but once you hire the firm, you never speak to him or her again.
You want to build a relationship with the people you’ll work with on an ongoing basis, so make sure they’re involved from the beginning.
A big law firm with dozens of attorneys might seem like the right choice, but don’t jump on the bandwagon without careful consideration first. Do you want to be a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond?
Large law firms have hundreds or thousands of clients, and many of those clients pay big firms a lot more money than you will. Which client will be prioritized? The one that pays millions of dollars to the firm each year or the one that pays hundreds per year? If your legal issue is small, you’ll likely be assigned to a low-level associate, so all of that big firm experience won’t even touch you.
Also, big law firms come with big price tags. Often, you can find a small firm with lower prices but equal (or better) attorneys. Shop around!
4. Talk to the People You’ll Actually Work With
When you contact a law firm or meet with them, make sure you’re talking to the attorney and team who will actually be working on your business matters.
For example, a partner at a large firm might make himself or herself available at an initial consultation, but once you hire the firm, you never speak to him or her again.
You want to build a relationship with the people you’ll work with on an ongoing basis, so make sure they’re involved from the beginning.
Read Full Article Here: 10 Tips to Hire a Great Business Lawyer
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