If you are curious as to what makes a good law firm, you should check out these characteristics that all great law firms have. You certainly have a lot of choices. There are an estimated 1.35 million lawyers in the United States. If you don’t know how to distinguish the good from the bad, then you run the risk of wasting both time and money in deciding where you should join or how to build your own firm.
Luckily, there are a few things you can look out for to find out how a good firm is put together. Below are five characteristics of good law firms that you need to know.
1. They Have References
It’s easy to talk the talk. But it isn’t easy to get clients to refer you. Before you sign on with a law firm, ask for references that are willing to talk with you about their experience.
When you talk to previous clients, you can learn the pros and cons of working with a firm. They can also fill you in on details that you would never have thought of.
2. They Have Speciality Lawyers
In most cases, it isn’t enough to have a general lawyer. The law is complex. If a law firm doesn’t have any lawyers that have experience with your type of case, it could hurt your chances of winning.
Make sure your law firm has a history of winning cases for the type of case you’re dealing with. If you want to go a step further, see if they have a track record of winning against the opposing law firm.
3. They Have No Disciplinary Problems
While most lawyers play by the rules, it doesn’t always happen. Luckily, you can check your state’s bar association to figure this out.
Your local bar association will list any disciplinary issues with a lawyer. While these flags may not eliminate the possibility of working with someone, it can be a red flag, depending on the issue.
4. They Communicate on Your Terms
Everyone has different needs. A good law firm will be able to cater to how you want your relationship to work.
On top of communication, they can be as hands-on as you need during the process. If you want to save money, you can take on a lot of the work yourself and use them for the legal strategy. If you don’t want to deal with anything, you can have a local firm handle everything and report on their progress.
5. They Have Flexible Payment Structures
Law firms shouldn’t need to nickel and dime their customers for all their services. They should have payment structures that accommodate the needs for any type of service.
The typical fee structures you will see are hourly, per service, and contingency. The payment plan you choose will depend on the kind of work you need.
Make Sure to Pick a Good Law Firm
You have your pick of law firms if you ever need help with a problem. But there is a big difference between a good law firm and a bad one. Make sure to consider the above points before hiring one, so you get the help you deserve.
Are you curious about the legal issues you can face in your business? Head over to our Legal Insights category to learn what you need to watch out for.
