How to Hire a Lawyer With No Money: 5 Tips
State courts alone handle roughly 100 million cases every year.
No one wants to be involved in a court case or a legal dispute, but sometimes circumstances in life require legal action.
If you’ve found yourself in a position where you need to hire a lawyer, you might be overwhelmed by the prospects of lofty legal fees.
Let’s take a look at how to hire a lawyer with no money, so your dispute can be settled without you emptying your pockets.
1. Talk to a Local Attorney
Some lawyers will offer free consultations. Often times, these consultations will be by videoconference or phone.
While you most likely won’t leave the meeting feeling ready to act as your own counsel, you’ll still be able to have a lot of your questions answered. They also might be able to help guide you in the direction of who might be able to help you for free or for a bargain.
Some lawyers are willing to agree to a payment plan with clients. This would most likely mean that you would be expected to pay a certain amount every month until you’ve paid off the fees for their services. For the record, it is up to the individual lawyer to choose to do this, and they are not obligated or required to provide a payment plan option.
Another option is finding out if you can pay a contingency fee. This means that you only have to foot the bill if you win the case. If you win, the lawyer will get a percentage of the money you’re awarded.
If you enter a contingency agreement, the general arrangement is that you don’t owe lawyer fees if you lose the case. You should be aware, however, that sometimes there are expenses you’re expected to cover even if the case is lost, so make sure to understand what you might be responsible for from the start.
You might also consider hiring a younger lawyer. They likely have fewer clients, so they’ll be able to devote more time to your case. They also might charge less because they don’t have as much experience.
If you’re looking for a lawyer after an auto accident, find out more here.
2. Visit a Law School
One way to hire a lawyer when you’re on a budget is to consider hiring an up-and-coming attorney.
There are many law schools throughout the country that have pro bono programs. In these programs, law students can offer legal advice for free. Some law schools that have this type of program are Arizona State University, American University, Tulane University, Howard University, and the Appalachian School of Law.
If there’s a university in your area with a law school, it could be worth taking a look. Visit their website to see if they mention a clinic program offering free legal services. That being said, the pandemic shutdowns could complicate your ability to find such a program.
3. Look to Legal Aid Societies
In just about every area of the country, there are legal aid societies that help low-income people receive free legal services. These are nonprofit organizations that can be incredibly helpful if you don’t have the funds to hire a lawyer.
For a lot of households, though, is that an individual or couple don’t qualify for help because they make too much money. It varies from state to state how little income you must make in order to qualify for legal aid services. Frequently, your income is required to be below the federal poverty line.
Federally funded legal aid programs can help people with employment issues, landlord and tenant issues, divorce proceedings, and other issues.
If you’re trying to figure out how to hire a lawyer when you don’t have any money, this is definitely an avenue worth exploring.
4. Contact the City Courthouse
Depending on why you’re looking to hire a lawyer, you might be able to contact the city courthouse. For example, if you want to fill out your own paperwork in an uncontested divorce, some city courts will offer free assistance.
Even if your case is more complicated than an uncontested divorce, it could be worth giving the courthouse a call. Ask their advice as to where you can find legal assistance for little to no money. They might be able to point you in the direction of local resources that could give you a hand.
5. Go to Small Claims Court
Small claims court isn’t an option for everyone in every circumstance, but you might want to spend some time researching if it could be the right choice for you.
If you are involved in a dispute over owed money where it’s not worth risking lawyer fees, small claims court might be a good option. Depending on your state, the maximum amount you will be rewarded varies drastically. Look into this to make sure that small claims court is the right avenue for your dispute.
How to Hire a Lawyer With No Money: You’ve Got Options
Figuring out how to hire a lawyer with no money is a bit of a research project, but if you can avoid staggeringly high legal bills you’ll be glad you put in the time.
No matter which route you decide to go, make sure that you are clear on what you’re agreeing to ahead of time. If you’re entering into a contingency agreement with a lawyer, for example, you’ll want to double-check that you won’t be responsible for additional expenses if the court case is lost.
Did you find this article about how to hire a lawyer with no funds helpful? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more informative articles!
What to Do Before a Free Lawyer Consultation
Are you looking to meet with a lawyer for the first time? It can be scary.
If you’ve already scheduled a lawyer consultation, you’ve tackled the toughest task — getting started. With that said, you should enter your consultation knowing what to expect.
Here are a few things you’ll want to do before your consultation so you can get the most out of your meeting.
Research Local Laws
Lawyers spend countless hours studying the law. While you don’t have to go that far, you should have a solid idea of where your case falls and how it’s classified.
Begin by looking up the statute of limitations in your area. Since every state (and many municipalities within said states) has its own set of laws, your case might not be viable if you’ve waited too long.
Likewise, this can help you from getting ripped off. If you walk into a legal consultation without the slightest knowledge of your state’s legal system, an unscrupulous lawyer may take advantage of you.
Bring Any Evidence You Have
Explaining your story to a lawyer can get tedious. And if that’s all you have, you’re not making a great argument for your case.
If you can bring evidence like medical bills, video footage, text messages, etc., you’ll make your attorney’s life so much easier.
As this article on How to prepare for meeting with a lawyer points out, that initial legal consultation is all about determining the strength of your case. Evidence is the simplest and quickest way to do so.
Discuss Compensation
Typically, lawyers collect payments through two means: an hourly rate or contingency.
During the latter, a lawyer takes money based on a percentage of the award. This means that, should you lose your case, your lawyer may not require payment, however, this depends on the lawyer.
However the prefer compensation, make sure you have a clear picture ahead of time. The last thing you need after a long legal battle is a massive bill that you can’t pay.
Bring up the Competition
Lawyers work together all the time. As such, they know one another’s strengths and weaknesses.
Discussing a lawyer’s competition with them might seem like a strange move, but it can help you determine:
- How they’ll handle peers as competition
- Whether the competition is a stronger fit for your case
- Who has more experience
This is your legal future, after all. It may ruffle a few feathers, but be honest with your potential attorneys and let them know that you are talking with other experts.
Get the Most From Your Lawyer Consultation With These Tips
A lawyer consultation can be intimidating. But take a deep breath, you’ve got this!
Remember, the more you prepare, the stronger your case. And if nothing else, always trust your gut. If you get a bad feeling about a lawyer, it’s okay to cut the consultation short and choose a different legal aid.
If you’re interested in learning more about the world of law, make sure to check back with our blog! We’re constantly posting new and updated content aimed at helping lawyers and their clients alike.
What To Expect From a Free Attorney Consultation & How to Prepare
It’s a normal day on the job or you’re running errands, but suddenly a heavy object hits you on the head, or another car hits your vehicle out of nowhere, resulting in whiplash or worse. Whether the injury is mild or severe, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention, as the injury could worsen over time.
After you’ve seen a medical professional and reported the injury to your supervisor (if the accident occurred in the workplace), you might decide to file a claim for workers’ compensation or a personal injury claim.
No one ever expects to get injured on any particular day, but we can tell you what to expect from a free consultation with a Montana injury lawyer so you can prepare and feel at ease going into that first meeting.
Initial consultation
Most offices offer a free initial consultation, but what does that mean? Is it really free?
The short answer is usually yes!
A reputable law firm won’t charge for the first consultation. They often only take 30 minutes to an hour of your time, but no matter how long it takes there should be no cost. If a law firm does charge a fee for the initial consultation, consider looking elsewhere.
Ask questions
Come prepared with a list of questions to ask the attorney. This is your chance to ask as many as possible, some of which should include:
- How long will my case take?
- Who will be assigned to my case?
- What types of compensation am I entitled to?
- Have you ever handled a similar case?
Each case is unique, so be sure to discuss your options for the most compensation.
Answer questions
Likewise, attorneys will take the same opportunity to ask you a list of questions in order to help create a map of how they would proceed with your case. These questions include:
- Where were you hurt?
- Were there any witnesses?
- Were you injured at work or on someone else’s property?
- What were you doing before the accident took place?
These questions and more are essential, and it’s important to answer them as clearly and honestly as possible. Small details can make a big difference. The more your attorney knows, the better they can help when it’s time to file the claim or go to trial.
Bring the essentials
Along with your list of questions, you may also be asked to bring documentation to the consultation such as:
- Medical bills and diagnoses documents
- Witness statements
- Relevant letters from any insurance companies involved
- Police or accident reports
- Photos and videos of the scene and injuries
Plan of action
Using the answers to their questions and the evidence you bring to the first consultation, the attorney should create a plan of action, outlining the steps they expect to take, how long the entire process will be, and your part in the case.
Do I Really Need an Attorney?
While some projects can be a weekend D.I.Y., others should be left to the professionals. Hiring an attorney can be in your best interest in numerous scenarios. Some people may choose not to use a lawyer to handle their cases or matters. However, having an attorney by your side can be advantageous in many situations. Numerous legal concerns may require a lawyer’s assistance. For instance, you might contemplate hiring a lawyer if you have sustained an injury, are beginning a business, or have been accused of committing a crime. Lawyers can help with legal obstacles that have already arisen and prevent legal issues from occurring in the first place. Odds are, if you are debating on having a lawyer on your team, it is a good idea to contact one to see how they may be of help.
Here are a few reasons why you should consider making the decision to hire an attorney
Lawyers Have Your Best Interest in Mind
“Best interests” is a looming legal standard that is followed by the industry amongst attorneys across all jurisdictions. When preparing for a legal argument or claim, attorneys must continuously monitor to ensure that the case is framed with their client’s best interest in mind, as matters pertaining to their client are placed above all others. Additionally, as the case progresses and becomes more complex, it can be advantageous to have someone, who has your best interests in mind, guiding you. Moreover, your attorney or legal counsel will provide you with genuine recommendations in the risks and benefits for every decision during the case. Your attorney is there to prioritize your matters and concerns.
Attorneys Provide Expert Advice
Whether you are facing a criminal charge in a court proceeding or entering a business contract negotiation, your attorney is there to provide you with their expert advice and experienced guidance. Throughout the process of the legal matter, your lawyer will continuously inform you about the potential legal outcomes of particular decisions, expedite negotiations, and prevent unnecessary delays. Furthermore, it would be disadvantageous to enter a courtroom, mediation, or arbitration, against an individual who is an expert in the law, without someone by your side. Particularly, if your adversary is receiving legal guidance, not having legal counsel would significantly disadvantage you. Instead of baring it alone, call on the advice of an attorney to help you make these important decisions and attend these crucial meetings.
Make Informed Decisions with the Help of an Attorney
When attending to legal matters, you are frequently confronted with countless decisions that need to be made. Whether you are going through mediation or litigation, a criminal or civil case, you are presented with a myriad of choices that need to all be answered. In a criminal case, you might get the chance to plead guilty, negotiate a plea bargain, or continue to trial. If you do continue to trial in court, there is an innumerable number of defenses that you may choose to weaponize. For example, in a driving under the influence (hereinafter “DUI”) case, a defendant may choose to argue that field sobriety tests were ineffective, which may occur because of improper footwear or English literacy issues, not alcohol. Perhaps, the defendant will assert that chemical tests can yield false positives; this can take place because of a faulty machine or user error. Utilizing the expertise of a skilled attorney can help assist you in taking the case to trial, filing motions, filling out confusingly monotonous paperwork, and everything else in between.
For more information, visit the Florida Criminal Defense Legal Group, PLLC.
How to Be a Great Civil Lawyer: 8 Tips for Career Success
There are more than 1.3 million active attorneys in the United States.
Many of these attorneys practice civil law. The competition for civil cases such as personal injury and worker’s compensation is fierce. You need to develop a reputation and your expertise as a top civil lawyer in your area.
Read on to discover the qualities that you have to have to be an effective lawyer and develop your practice.
1. Have Outstanding Communications Skills
Communication skills are why the top civil lawyers get paid so much. You have to communicate clearly with your clients. You also have to communicate clearly to other lawyers, judges, and juries.
Great attorneys know their audience and seek to communicate in a way that is relatable. You want to study the top lawyers and how they communicate. You can develop your own skills and communication style by practicing.
2. Create a Professional Network
You need to build a great network of people to build your legal practice. You want to have referral partnerships with other professionals in your area.
You can work with other attorneys who have a specialty that doesn’t conflict with yours. You can also have other professionals in your network that are necessary.
For instance, if you handle a lot of divorce and family law cases, you may need to have a financial planner and real estate agent in your network. It’s common for couples to sell their home and split the assets. Both professionals would be able to assist your clients.
3. Build Negotiation Skills
Most civil cases don’t go to trial because it’s much easier and less costly to reach a settlement on the case.
What does settlement mean in law? It means that you don’t go to trial, but you and the other attorney agree on a settlement on behalf of your client.
For example, you represent someone who is suing a business because they suffered a severe injury and the business was negligent. Both you and the defense attorney know that it will take a long time for a case to go to trial.
It’s much better to negotiate a settlement so your client can get their funds as fast as possible. You have to go to bat for your client to make sure they get the settlement that they deserve. Your law practice and your client depend on your strong negotiation skills to make that happen.
That doesn’t mean that you need to play hardball with the other attorney. You’ll probably wind up on another case together, which is why you want to be hard, but not too hard. Use the evidence and facts at hand to negotiate a settlement.
4. Deep Legal Knowledge and Litigation Skills
You have to have deep legal knowledge to be able to negotiate a settlement and represent your client in court. You have to know what negligence means and how to prove negligence in many civil cases. If you specialize in workman’s comp cases, you’ll also need to know the law in your state.
Your civil litigation skills have to be sharp should one of your cases end up in front of a judge or jury. You need to be able to take the evidence at hand and turn it into a compelling story that is convincing.
5. Show Empathy and Compassion
About a third of Americans have had a civil legal issue in 2018 from housing, financial, or family issues.
Your clients are coming to you at a time when they are nervous and scared. They don’t know the law, and they’re depending on you to help them in a difficult time.
You have to be able to show empathy and compassion for your clients. A good dose of confidence will help put your clients at ease, too.
Empathy and compassion will make a huge difference to your clients. They’ll felt heard and understood. They’ll also feel like you care about more than just money.
6. Always Act with Integrity
An attorney that acts with integrity and shows empathy will go far as a civil lawyer. Acting with integrity is simple. You just have to do what you say you’re going to do.
You do this with your clients and they’ll recommend you. Do this with others in the legal community, and they’ll respect you.
7. Set Clear Expectations
Acting with integrity goes hand in hand with managing expectations. You always want to be upfront with clients as to what they can expect during the settlement process.
For example, they may come to you for guidance and they’re in financial trouble. You have to explain to them that getting a quick settlement check is unlikely and it’s against their best interest.
When you work with a client, always be clear about the fee structure of your firm. In many civil cases, the attorney puts up the costs for expert witnesses and all paperwork.
The attorney will take a percentage of the settlement. When clients don’t understand this, they think they’ll get the entire settlement check and spend it in their heads before the check is cut. They will wind up surprised and angry when the check is much less.
8. Manage Business Finances
Your legal practice is a business and you have to manage it as such. You have to manage the finances of your business, especially as a civil attorney.
You will be fronting the costs for your clients and expecting a big payout later. That can make it hard to run a business because one small settlement can send your business into a financial tailspin.
You always want to track the profit and loss of the practice and have a monthly budget that you stick to.
Become the Best Civil Lawyer
Civil law is complicated, and most people don’t fully understand how it works. You can help your clients and grow your legal practice by developing a few essential skills.
You need to have compassion and great communication skills to be a good civil lawyer. You also have to have negotiation skills and develop your trial litigation skills in case you do have to go to trial.
Do you want to grow your practice? Register your practice in our free directory for lawyers today.
How to Find the Perfect Lawyer in Chicago
Everybody needs a good lawyer. It doesn’t matter if you’re a high-level CEO or starting in the mailroom, you need someone who can defend you in case anything bad happens. As a free citizen of the United States, you’re bound to run into some odd situations and even odder characters throughout your life. There’s no place where this rings truer than in the great city of Chicago. America’s second city is a dense metropolis full of every possible danger, delight, and predilection you can think of. Because of this kind of diversity and density, you’ll inevitably find yourself in disagreement with someone else. If it pushes far enough, well, you might need a lawyer. The issue is, many of us haven’t needed legal representation before. We’re taking shots in the dark.
Here are some qualities to look for to help you find the perfect lawyer
People Skills
If you’re looking for a lawyer, you’re probably not going through the best of times. Your average individual isn’t going to seek out a lawyer because everything is peachy. In that kind of situation, it may be difficult to tell a lawyer about the core issues. According to the experts of Blumenshine Law, being able to open up and engage with a person is the number one determining factor in them becoming a client. One can go online and Google searches everyone in the area. It still doesn’t add up to good representation. A lawyer needs to know how to deal with people at their worst. This doesn’t mean you need to find the I’ve of the party. This just means that you, as a person, feel comfortable discussing the issues you need legal representation for. Not everyone can do that well. It truly is a special skill.
Negotiation Skills
The nature of law is rooted in combat and negotiation. Someone fighting for you may stumble upon roadblocks and difficulties. Strong representation means they can take that situation, review it with you, and come up with the best possible strategies. There are some lawyers out there that “specialize” in arriving at a certain outcome. Look at their track record, and they always choose the same strategy. That’s not advisable. What you should be looking for is someone who can cut angles and bob through the obstacles that come up throughout the life of your case. That’s what a good negotiator does, he/she finds ways around the predicaments that come your way. It’s an invaluable quality.
Project Management
Project management isn’t typically something that we expect lawyers to have. The truth is, lawyers, tend to have better project management skills than most corporate executives. This is because the law tends to be more personal. They know that they’re supporting or defending an individual’s livelihood and wellbeing. It’s not some massive corporation’s second-quarter deadlines. It’s more intimately human than that. Because of this, good project management skills can be seen as a lawyer’s ability to keep the big picture in mind while tackling the smaller challenges that come your way.
Specialists
Lawyers, like doctors, have different specialties. Sure, they all passed the Bar, but they choose to service certain industries they know they can excel in. If you have a medical issue, you would go to a personal injury lawyer. If there’s a dispute regarding your property or a neighbor’s construction is obstructing your view, you would go to a real estate lawyer. The world of law is subdivided as such so that they can better serve you. They build experience, case after case, to come out on the other side with a sharp understanding of how to take on any situation. When looking for a lawyer, be sure to go to the appropriate law firm for the job.
Perseverance
Perseverance is what separates the good from the excellent. It’s one of the most important qualities to look for when getting a lawyer. It’s also one of the most difficult qualities to measure. How does one know that their legal representation will persevere? In this case, we have to look at their history and their track record in the city. If you review that history and they won’t back down when things get rough, you know you have someone you can depend on.
Finding the perfect lawyer may be tough, but there are good people out there ready to serve you. Schedule a meeting with the appropriate lawyer and feel out the conversation. Lay down the reasons and the situation you need their services for. Chances are if they can’t help, they know someone who can. Be safe. Good luck.
Four Types of Cases a Superannuation Lawyer Can Help You With
It’s one of life’s inevitable and hard truths: accidents happen. Unfortunately, certain accidents can lead to long-lasting and dire consequences for the implicated individuals. This is especially true of accidents that result in personal injury, which can massively hinder a person’s ability to work and sustain their livelihood. While there are steps you can follow to avoid personal injury, particularly in the workplace, these incidents can still occur. In the event that they do, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the resources that can lessen the burden of personal injury.
Working with a superannuation lawyer to gain early access to your superannuation fund can be an effective way of doing exactly that. Superannuation lawyers, such as those at Super Claims Australia, offer their specialized expertise to build you a strong case in various types of claims.
Below are four types of cases superannuation attorneys can assist you with
1. Disability Insurance Claims
If you’re suffering from a personal injury or an illness that is preventing you from working in your current job or from obtaining another one in your field, you may be entitled to early access to your superannuation and/or total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance. Keep in mind, however, that there have been some changes to the definition of TPD in recent years among some of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, which could make it more difficult to claim this benefit.
In order to build a strong case and improve your likelihood of receiving compensation, you need to provide sufficient evidence that your injury is impeding your ability to continue working or to find work; however, you do not need to prove that the injury or illness was due to someone else’s negligence or that it is work-related. An experienced superannuation lawyer will have extensive knowledge of recent changes to the TPD definition and will be able to guide you in preparing your case to increase your likelihood of compensation.
2. Life Insurance Claims
In the unfortunate event that one of your family members or loved ones passes away, you may be able to withdraw from their superannuation to minimize financial burdens during this incredibly difficult time. As a potential beneficiary, you could be entitled to a portion of the deceased individual’s superannuation fund and/or related life insurance payments.
In order to make a claim, you will need to provide an array of documentation, including your ID, a certified copy of the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration for the deceased estate (if there is one), a general information form, and a statement of relationship form to name a few. A superannuation lawyer can help massively in ensuring you collect and submit the relevant documentation in a timely manner.
3. Disability Claims Litigation
There are a number of scenarios in which disability claim litigation could be necessary. Examples of such cases include claim rejections by insurers or super trustees, failure to make a decision regarding certain claims, negligent advice from financial advisers, and employer failure to make contributions to your super. Given the complex nature of these cases, having the expertise of a superannuation lawyer on your side is extremely helpful.
4. Income Protection (TTD)
Income protection benefits (TTD) are quite similar to TPD benefits; the main difference is that TTD claims temporarily cover a specific period of lost income while TPD is a permanent, lump sum payment.
Much like TPD claims, in order to claim a TTD benefit, you will need to provide proof of your injury or illness that is impeding your ability to work. The amount and the duration of the payments will depend largely on the details of your case, which is why it’s important to have a specialized attorney assist you in compiling the necessary documentation.
If you’re hoping to access your super fund or that of a loved one early, consider seeking the assistance of a specialized superannuation attorney. Their experience in handling various types of cases, including disability insurance claims, life insurance claims, claim litigation, and income protection, will help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Make sure you do your due diligence to ensure you secure the best legal aid services for you by researching various law firms in your area that specialize in early superannuation access, reaching out to get estimates of their rates, and seeking online reviews from previous clients.
How to Capture Leads and Land Clients With an Attorney Consultation
Do you know the conversion rate for your law practice?
A conversion rate can be looked at from the perspective of how many website visitors turn into a lead and book an attorney consultation. Then you need to look at how many of those consultations turn into clients.
Both conversion rates are essential to understanding the profitability of your legal practice. A slight increase in your conversions can mean thousands more for your law firm.
If your close rate is a source of frustration for you, you’ll want to keep reading. Find out how you can leverage your free consultation to generate leads and close clients.
Identifying the Right Leads
Your first step in your journey to boost your conversion rate is to identify the leads that you want to attract to your law practice. Many attorneys will say something like, “Anyone who needs a bankruptcy attorney within a 50-mile radius.”
They’ll stop there and not think deeper about the type of bankruptcy they want to work with. Do they work with people who need to file personal bankruptcy or business bankruptcy? Do they understand the fear that potential clients are going through?
You want to identify as much as you can about your ideal client. You want to know their demographic information, such as age, zip code of residence, and household income.
You need to understand what they need from your legal expertise. A person may need to solve a financial issue with bankruptcy, but they’re really looking for peace of mind.
Think about your law firm and what you offer clients on a tangible level and emotional level. This will help you generate the right leads to your practice.
Building a Funnel
You need to think of marketing your practice like a funnel. You’ll get many people who are aware of your practice at the top of the funnel. They may not have a need for your services right now.
At the bottom of the funnel are only a handful of people who are at the bottom of the funnel. Attorneys focus here because it’s low-hanging fruit. These are people who need your services right away.
Some areas of law require a sense of urgency, such as personal injury and workman’s compensation. You want to focus your lead generation tactics on the later stages of the funnel. That’s because not many people think of a personal injury attorney until they need one.
On the other hand, a business owner doesn’t usually need an attorney right away. They will take the time to do research and find the right attorney for them. This will require that you focus on all parts of the funnel.
Generate Website Traffic
As you start at the top of the funnel, you have to look at the type of traffic you’re sending to your website. There are three primary ways you can generate traffic to your site.
The first is through local search optimization. When potential clients look for legal services and information, they will go online first. With SEO, you can target search terms at all points of the funnel.
Someone might need help with California’s lemon law. They could search for ‘what is a lemon worth’ or they’ll look for a ‘lemon law attorney.’
Pay per click ads are used by attorneys across almost all specialties. These ads are the ones that appear at the top of search results, above organic results. These ads are used most often for the later stages of the funnel, such as ‘bankruptcy attorney near me,’ which indicates that someone is ready to hire an attorney.
Display ads are useful to bring people back to your website after they leave. You can use a remarketing campaign that will show ads for your firm to people on other websites. These ads are remarkably effective at recapturing that lost traffic and convert them to leads.
Lead Capture Mechanism
What do you expect people to do when they get to your site? If you said pick up the phone and call, that’s not likely. A majority of people prefer texting or messaging a business over calling.
You want to make it as simple as possible for people to schedule a free consultation. You can use an online calendar where people book consultations online.
Preparing for the Attorney Consultation
Once you have an appointment booked, you want to prepare for the appointment. The online scheduling form can be tailored to give you general information about the client and their needs.
You should get this information and review it. You’ll know what questions to ask about their case.
During the appointment, you want to make sure that you help the client feel at ease. They’re probably not used to working with an attorney and intimidated by the law.
As you go through the case, offer as much value as you can to the client and show them why you’re different from all of the attorneys. When it comes time to talk about fees, be upfront as possible. Clients expect your services to be expensive. If you show your value in the attorney consultation, then it’s much easier to close the client.
Follow Up with Leads
One of the most overlooked aspects of closing is the follow up. This is true in law practices and most sales organizations. You should have a system in place to connect with leads a day or two after the appointment.
You can then reconnect with them a week later. If they don’t close, then keep them on your email list. You never know if they go with an attorney they’re not happy with and need a new one.
A Successful Lawyer Consultation
Attorneys use a free consultation to generate leads and clients. The problem for many attorneys is that they don’t use this tool effectively to convert leads into clients.
With the tips outlined above, you have the entire process laid out for you to identify the right leads, bring them to your website and have them book a free attorney consultation. That makes it much easier to close new leads during the consultation and add revenue to your practice.
For more ways to generate leads to your practice, be sure to register your firm in our directory.
A Guide to Pick the Right Attorney
Whenever you are dealing with legal situations, you need to hire an attorney. There are several law cases where you can handle a legal situation without taking help from an attorney. But in most situations, it is difficult for a layperson to understand all the legal terms and conditions. For example, if you are struggling with a car accident, you need an attorney for a legal claim. And finding an expert and experienced lawyer might not be easy for you.
Although hiring a lawyer is not always needed for all types of legal situations and if you have to hire, you may be wondering how you begin your search to find a good attorney. Though, do remember that there are different types of attorneys from criminal defense to estate planning, so always focus on lawyers who practice the kind of law you need legal advice. Also, here is your guide to find out the best personal injury attorney in Houston.
1. Ask Your Friends or Relatives
The first rule of finding an experienced and professional attorney is getting help from your friends and relatives. Your relatives or friends who have already hired a lawyer for any legal condition can guide you where you should go to find an attorney that practices law you need advice on. Since they have already researched on finding an attorney so they can save your time and can help you tO find an attorney, you need to claim legally.
2. Determine What Type of Lawyer You Need
It is always wise to locate a lawyer who has specialized expertise in the area that your case involves. It is also better to hire an attorney who is familiar with the laws and courts of the area where you live. This helps your lawyer to represent your interest in an effective way.
3. Do Some Research
As it is the age of the internet, and one can easily get what he needs to find by pressing a few keys. Like other websites and pages, law firms have their own online pages and websites where clients can contact them to get information or hire an attorney. Get some time to compare different law firms; in this way, you are more likely to find an attorney that can represent you in court.
4. Hire Attorney in Your Price Range
Finding the right lawyer also means one whose fee you can afford to pay. So whenever you come to hire an attorney, try to get an estimate of what the case dealing will cost you. Also, make sure to negotiate on a fee beforehand.
5. Ask Other Lawyers
Attorneys know the reputation and skill of the other attorneys. Lawyers may be able to guide you or provide you the information about their fellow attorneys that you may not find online or in a book. They can tell you about the reputation, demeanor, competence level, and practice habits. This helps you a lot, and you will be able to invest in the right law firm.
7 Characteristics Of A Good Lawyer
If you are ever in need of an attorney after an accident, personal injury, or injury at work, finding the right professional legal services is essential. The task is easier said than done, of course. There are many things to consider, but what qualities matter most?
We’ve outlined 7 characteristics to look for in an effective lawyer
1. Experience Providing Professional Legal Services
Are you looking for a personal injury lawyer? Maybe you need to file a lawsuit after a car accident, falling in a store, or a work-related injury? Whatever the reason, the experience is one of the most important qualities in an attorney.
Experience is not just about years, either. It’s also knowledge of a specific area of law, such as personal or workplace injuries.
2. Understands State Laws
Every state has different standards. The laws pertaining to employment practices and workers’ compensation in New York may be completely different in Virginia or Colorado.
Laws are continually updated, as well, so your attorney must stay abreast of all new regulations.
3. A Good Bedside Manner
Lawyers have to deal with a lot of people, whether it’s you, other attorneys, judges, or opposing parties. Knowledge of the law won’t do you much good if your attorney puts people off or seems incapable of reading the room.
4. Expert Communicator
The most successful lawyers have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. If your attorney writes bad legal briefs or makes mistakes on documents, good luck winning your case. An attorney also needs to be able to persuade other people to decide the case in your favor.
5. Returns Your Phone Calls
Attorneys must make themselves available to you. That means they return your phone calls in a timely manner. They also need to be available for meetings at your convenience, not theirs.
6. Good Organizational Skills
In many ways, a lawyer is like a project manager. It is the project manager’s job to determine the resources needed for a case, assign people to handle different aspects of it, create a timeline, and manage any problems that might arise.
In other words, being organized is essential for a good attorney.
7. Reasonable Rates
Hiring an attorney can be expensive. Most firms charge by the hour. However, what you pay may depend on the type of case.
Most personal injury claim lawyers represent clients under a contingency fee. This means your lawyer only gets paid if he/she wins the case. The fee is then based on the amount of the settlement you received.
There may also be other costs to cover your lawyer’s expenses, such as court costs and investigations/research.
The Orlow Firm in New York City can answer questions about your case involving a personal injury, car accident, on-the-job injury, or slip and fall. Our number one job is to ensure you get the best settlement possible.
When You Need Legal Assistance
Engaging the right professional legal services is essential if you want a favorable outcome. If you’ve been injured and have medical bills, or you can’t work, you need help to ensure your family will be okay. These 7 factors will give you a guide when speaking to attorneys.
Be sure to check out our website for information about hiring an attorney and resources that will help you navigate complicated legal matters.
