to call anytime, and having a network available. That’s all valuable. Any plan is better than no plan,” says William Bolger, executive director of the National Resource Center for Consumers of Legal Services (NRCCLS), a nonprofit research group that has tracked legal service plans for 25 years.
You may have access to a plan and not even know it. Although the American Association of Retired Persons’ group legal plan covers 17 million members, and the AFL-CIO’s group plan remains the largest of any kind, covering 40 million people, Bolger states that these no-fee plans are not regularly used because many of their members may not realize that this perk comes with membership.
“The biggest mistake that we encounter is when somebody has a particular legal problem — a divorce or a dispute with a neighbor — then instead of finding the right lawyer for that problem, they join a legal plan to save money,” Bolger adds. “That’s the wrong thing to do. The way you find a lawyer is the same way you find someone for any other service position, be it a plumber or electrician.”
Get referrals: Ask around. A good referral will come from a client with a similar case who was satisfied with the attorney’s performance. Once you’ve got a few names, check the attorneys’ qualifications, educational background, and professional history. You can find this information through your state bar association (www.palidan.com/statebar.htm).
Check advertisements: Lawyers were prohibited from advertising until 1977. The NRCCLS suggests that the yellow pages is the best single source of lawyer ads.
Use lawyer referral services: Sponsored by state and local bar associations, these services interview potential clients and help assess their legal needs. If the problem requires a lawyer, referrals are then offered, otherwise clients are directed to a community resource that may help. You will have to pay an initial consultation fee to help support the service. Commercial lawyer directories that match clients and lawyers can be found online, as well. Attorney Locate, Lawyers.com, and Cyber Bar Association are just a few. Post your problem on Websites such as Attorneys Bid or LegalMatch and see which lawyer bids the lowest to handle your case. The American Bar Association cautions that client confidentiality can become an issue after you’ve posted your information on the Internet. So write your query in general terms.
“Get an attorney who gives you candid advice and counsel,” says Robinson. “You want to make an informed decision and you need someone who’s going to lay it out for you, give you options within the law, and tell you what the ramifications are of making certain decisions,” he says.
After you receive referrals, call to set up interviews with at least two attorneys. Most lawyers do not charge for answering inquiries about what they can do. Be wary of attorneys who guarantee results. After the interview, there are several factors to consider in choosing an attorney.
Cost: Bolger says that competition in the field is holding down lawyer’s fees. There are several payment options:
Hourly rates can range anywhere