5 Tips For Finding An Attorney In Denver

 

Knowing where to start looking for an attorney when you suddenly need one might be challenging. While dealing with the law might be unpleasant, the process of hiring an attorney shouldn’t be. If you’re seeking to hire a lawyer for the first time, here are some tips to help ensure that you choose the right one.

1. Determine whether your case is civil or criminal

At first, it may not be clear how a particular case can have both civil and criminal implications. But you need to know what kind of legal issue you’re dealing with. For example, if you were hurt in a severe car accident, you can sue the driver who caused it in civil court for damages. If it turns out that the driver was drunk at the time of the crash, they could be charged with a criminal offense. Thus, the same chain of events could lead to a personal injury trial and a criminal case in these situations.

For context, around 220 car accidents are reported daily in Denver. About five people are critically injured every day, and four people are killed in traffic accidents every week because of these accidents. However, these numbers only begin to scratch the surface of the sorrow these victims, their families, and their communities endure. These crashes cost a lot in property damage, medical bills, missed productivity, traffic congestion, physical pain, and emotional suffering, not to mention the diminished quality of life until the victim recovers fully! 

Have you been in a serious injury accident in Denver recently? Are you looking for a personal injury lawyer in the Denver area? If you answered yes to these questions, your search for an experienced personal injury attorney ends at the O’Sullivan Law Firm. Injured people from all around Colorado can turn to them for help since they have an office in Denver and Colorado. Their team has the knowledge and experience to investigate the claims, understand the forces at play in your situation, and pursue maximum financial compensation for your losses. 

2. Reach out to family and friends for referrals

Referrals from friends and family are your first port of call when looking for legal counsel. Seek out the advice of those you know and trust, such as friends, relatives, and coworkers. Figure out precisely what it is you want. Do you need an attorney for the foreseeable future, or is this a one-time deal? If it’s the former, you should find out how long your connection has known the attorney and what kinds of cases they have handled. 

A word of caution, though: these opinions may not be all unbiased. Run a background check, talk to former employers or clients, look for information online, and contact local bar associations. 

You can also ask other law professionals what they know about the lawyers you’re interested in. They probably know their skills and reputation and can tell you valuable things about other lawyers’ ethics, level of skill, or ways of doing business.

3. Set up interviews

Once you have shortlisted a few potential attorneys to work with, it is time to start interviewing them. Take advantage of free consultations. You can learn more about the attorney’s experience and expertise and whether or not they are the appropriate fit for your case by scheduling an interview in person, over the phone, or over video chat.

You can use this checklist if you need help thinking of questions to ask a lawyer:

• Do you have experience with cases similar to mine, and what was your success rate?
• How long have you practiced this type of law?
• Will you personally handle my case, or will some of the work be outsourced?
• What are the legal fees, and when must I pay them?
• How often will you update me on the status of my case?

In the end, you should choose a lawyer with extensive knowledge and experience in the field of law you need assistance with. They should also be honest with you about the costs and timeline of your case. Read all documents carefully and ensure you understand them before signing anything.

4. Check your budget for the legal representation you will need

Obviously, you want to spend only a few dollars on a small case. Have a financial plan for the type of legal administration you require. The amount you’ll have to pay for legal services will depend on what kind of services you need. 

When you know your budget for the legal process, you’ll quickly narrow down your list of reasonable, competent attorneys whose fees you believe you’ll be able to afford. This way, you’ll save a lot of time and effort you would have otherwise spent checking the credentials, expertise, and professional affiliations of every law firm in the city, as well as doing the cost-benefit analysis of each one. 

5. Be sure to have a backup

Always have a fallback option(s). Like in any other line of work, a lawyer’s schedule may already be packed with other court cases; they can get sick; or need time off. If your matter is urgent, you should have a backup attorney or law firm ready to step in if the first one doesn’t respond.

Conclusion

Most people will get the best results when they use more than one of these strategies. However, if you still haven’t been able to locate a knowledgeable, wallet-friendly attorney or law firm for your legal matter, online attorney databases might help. For example, the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School has a tool that makes it easy to sort results by practice area, state, and city. Their attorney profiles have information about their education and work history. Some also have reviews and testimonials from clients.

What’s more, the Legal Services Corporation can point you in the direction of one of the many legal aid organizations they support if you need low-cost or free legal assistance. This and similar tools make it easier to find lawyers willing to take on pro bono cases for those in financial distress, increasing the likelihood that you’ll be able to find the competent assistance you need.