It’s one of the priciest professionals that you can employ, so it goes without saying that finding the right attorney when the time comes is of parallel importance. Get it wrong and you’re not only left with a big bill, but you’re also unlikely to get the right result.
This right result is going to vary for each of you as well. For some, it might be related to the outcome of a criminal case – where there is a clear line between right and wrong. For others, it might just be related to speed and efficiency, where you need an attorney to help you navigate through the legal obstacles that various transactions prompt.
Bearing this in mind, we spoke to John Peck Legacy Lawyers about all of the different factors that one should consider before choosing their next attorney.
Factor #1 – Their efficiency
We have just touched on this, but it really can be one of the most important parts for some clients. In some transactions, speed is everything and even if you are dealing with the best attorney in the land, it will all be for nothing if they work at a slow pace.
Before choosing your attorney, you need to make sure that they will respond to your inquiries. Sure, some correspondence will need to be performed in writing, but that’s not to say that your attorney can never pick up the phone. There will be times where you, or they, need a fast answer and waiting for snail mail just isn’t acceptable.
You will also need to make sure that you will be dealing directly with the attorney, and not going through a delegated individual like a paralegal. Again, this is something that can slow down the process and prompt confusion.
Factor #2 – Their price
In truth, this is a very straightforward decision. Can you afford the lawyer or not?
If you were to take a look at every lawyer in Wilmington, NC, you would quickly find that the prices vary considerably. We’ll get into the ins and outs of how bigger companies tend to charge more in the next section, but what’s important for now is whether or not you can afford the costs being put on the table.
Factor #3 – Their size
While many of you might be suggesting that bigger is better, this isn’t always the case. Sure, there’s a degree of security when dealing with a large firm – who also tend to attract the best lawyers out there.
However, this sometimes comes at a cost. Large companies tend to hand umpteen cases to all of the lawyers in their team, and it’s not unheard of for them to become inefficient as a result.
Smaller ones on the other hand might not have that huge reputation, but they might be more likely to stay on top of your case. Not only that, but more often than not they are cheaper than the bigger companies as well.