Hiring lawyers in St. Catharines can be daunting, especially if you have never worked with a lawyer before. There are many factors to consider, including experience, expertise, cost, and availability. To help make the process easier, here are the top five things you should consider when hiring a lawyer in St. Catharines.
10 Things You Should Consider Before Hiring Lawyers in St. Catharine’s
1. Experience in the Type of Dispute You Are Facing
One of the most crucial factors to consider when hiring a lawyer is their experience. You want to choose a lawyer who has expertise in the area of law that your case falls under. For example, if you suffer a personal injury, you want to choose a St. Catharines law firm that has a record of accomplishment of success representing clients in personal injury cases. If you are developing land, you need to work with real estate lawyers who have helped shape the Niagara skyline.
2. Know and Understand Their Fees
The cost of hiring a lawyer is an essential consideration for most people. It is important to understand how the lawyer will charge for their services and what the total cost will be. Family lawyers, for instance, charge an hourly rate, real estate lawyers may charge a flat fee for drafting agreements, and personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency fee (“no win, no fee”). Make sure you understand the fee structure before hiring a lawyer.
3. Do They Have Time to Devote to Your Case?
It is vital to choose a lawyer available to take on your case. It sounds obvious, but you want to make sure that the lawyer has the time and resources to take on your case and will be able to provide you with the attention you need. A busy practice is a good sign, but if the St. Catharines law firm has overstretched its resources, you may not receive the personal attention you expect.
4. What Is Their Reputation Like?
You want to choose lawyers who are reputed for their expertise and results and who provide personal attention. Online reviews, testimonials from past clients, and legal directories are great ways to ascertain a lawyer’s reputation. Legal directories and rankings can highlight high performers at the firm, while mentions in the media suggest a reputable team.
5. Feeling Comfortable Working With Them
You want a lawyer who will keep you informed about the status of your case and who will be responsive to your questions and concerns. Effective and clear communication is one part, it is also essential you feel confident working with them.
‘Compatibility’ is hard to explain, but in a nutshell, you should feel comfortable with your lawyer. You want to choose a lawyer whom you can trust and whom you feel understands your needs and objectives (especially important if you are working with family lawyers). They should demonstrate that they understand your priorities and will not belittle your concerns.
We understand engaging lawyers in St. Catharines without knowing enough about them can be challenging. It’s why we offer a complimentary, no-obligation consultation that allows you to ask all your questions and determine if we are the right fit for you. Book yours today.