Contacting a lawyer
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
I never needed a lawyer before so this is my first time contacting one.
ALL OF THEM want at least $300 for a consultation... I mean, it's 30-45 minutes long just to figure out if they'll take my case or not! Is this really how it works? 
What if they don't take my case or if I don't "click" with them? I'll have to keep paying until I find someone? 
|
Anonymous
|
honey, this is how it works.
first, get recommendations from people who have done EXACTLY what you want done. i mean, same state (ideally same county), same area of law (you want a will drawn up and they had a will drawn up; you want to buy a piece of property, they used this attorney to buy a piece of property), etc. second, organize all your information and all your questions so that you are using the consult to maximum efficiency. ideally if you did step #1 correctly you will quickly find someone you feel confident is capable and proceed from there. finally, people think that you need to "like" someone for them to do a good job for you. the classic area of this mentality is car sales. real estate is another one. however, the truth is that competency, efficiency, capacity (ie not drowning in other clients), and knowledge will serve you much better. ask questions to evaluate these kinds of areas (how many of these kinds of agreements do you draw up in a year?) but don't shop for someone you "like." that's what your friends are for. and being liked is how car salesmen unload really sh*tty cars on people. |
Anonymous
|
First, I second the above.
Second, the Virginia State Bar has a lawyer referral service that allows you to consult with an attorney for half an hour for $35. Here is the info: http://www.vsb.org/vlrs/index.php/public/vlrs/ Most state bars have this service, the fee and conditions vary. I don't know about MD and DC but you can google around. Maybe that will help. |
Anonymous
|
Yes it is really how it works. I got several names, referrals from friends, spoke briefly to two, knew that one would never work, met with the second and we clicked.
It makes sense to me that they charge for their time. They can't spend 10 (or more) hours a week meeting with prospective clients. |
Anonymous
Yep. Even the free consultations...you're not really getting any "free" advice. It's really an opportunity for the lawyer to check you out, see if you will be a paying client, if you actually have a legit case or if you're just a nutjob with an ax to grind. |
Anonymous
| Lawyer here, and PP is correct. The important point is that many good lawyers (like me, for instance) won't charge to talk to you for 15 or 20 minutes to see if they think they can help you. That said, I do that almost always over the phone, rather than via office appointment, which is more disruptive. |
Anonymous
I get you, OP, but what do you want them to do? Attorneys' time and expertise is worth something. Doctors, plumbers, mechanics, etc don't give you their time and assessments for free. Also, you would not believe how much more efficient a meeting can be when the prospective client is paying (and the meter is running) than when the consult is free. The PC is more to the point, shows only the most relevant written material they have, etc. |
Anonymous
This:
|
Anonymous
|
OP, it would help if you tell us what you need it for.
I have a friend whose neighbor is a (as PP states)"nut job" lawyer with an awe to grind, and she annoys people until they do what they want. I suppose there are many of them, considering how many lawyers are in the area. Borrow the money if you have to, you usually get what you pay for. Get someone from a good school, if you can. I say because there are so many lawyers and you ideally you don't want the "nut job lawyer with the axe to grind" that the good school would not admit. Good luck! |
Anonymous
Nut jobs and evil, immoral and snake oil salespeople are everywhere, even grads from good schools. |
Anonymous
I'm the pp you reference and I was referring to clients who are the nutjobs. Sometimes lawyers can be the worst clients, but if you are wondering whether you are the nutjob CLIENT with an axe to grind, here are some clues: 1. Other lawyers have turned you down. 2. Your previous lawyer dumped you as a client. 3. You "don't care about money, it's about the principle." 4. You want a lawyer to take the case on contingency, even when it is not a matter in which there will be a pool of money awarded to you out of which to pay a contingency fee. 5. Something wrong was done to you, but you had no damages. 6. You need a divorce lawyer, but you have no friends, and plan on calling your lawyer all the time mostly just to talk, then getting really upset when you are charged for those calls. |
Anonymous
| Thanks, folks... I'll look into our options. |