If you are currently engaged in a civil lawsuit or believe you will be, you will need to retain the services of a litigation attorney. These attorneys are professionals who devote the majority of their time to prosecuting and litigating matters—and they differ significantly from the criminal lawyers you see on television delivering emotional arguments to the jury and the judge.
Litigation lawyers spend a significant amount of their time drafting and filing arguments on their clients’ behalf, attempting to portray cases and evidence in the most beneficial light possible for them. The ability and expertise of your litigation attorney will often be the deciding factor in the success of your lawsuit. You must choose the correct attorney to ensure that your case is successful and because you need one who will collaborate well with you.
The following are a few things you should do when locating the most qualified litigation attorney for your case:
Consider the Number of Cases That Were Won
It is important to remember that when you ask a litigation attorney how many cases he has won, he or she may not define victory the same way you do. You most often equate winning a case with an attorney obtaining a favorable verdict after a jury trial. In addition to advantageous settlements, obtaining concessions right before trial, and mixed judgments, attorneys, might define victories in various other ways. Make sure that when you inquire as to how many cases the attorney has won, you also inquire as to what this implies for your case.
Examine How Payments Are Handled
One of the first questions you should ask a litigation attorney is how they handle money. Know if the lawyer is compensated on an hourly basis, or do they operate on a contingency basis. Check to see whether the lawyer anticipates receiving a retainer and, if so, how much that will be. Some legal firms may charge you for emails at a rate of 0.2 hours (12 minutes), regardless of how long it takes them to get them to your inbox. Other legal companies always charge for court appearances in increments of four hours, regardless of whether the session lasts 30 minutes or five hours.
If the litigation attorney works on a contingency fee basis, this indicates that you will not be charged for their services. However, if you are successful, the company will get a portion of your verdict as a fee. The proportion might range from 33 percent to as low as 20 percent, depending on the circumstances.
Find Out How Frequently the Litigation Lawyer Resolves Cases
Some litigation lawyers prefer to go to trial by jury rather than settle their cases, seldom recommending settlements. Other attorneys settle cases more often and never take cases to trial. You will want an attorney who is forthright with you about your chances of victory and prepared to tell you what you can realistically anticipate from the case. That is critical because if you desire more money than your case is truly worth, you will need an attorney to inform you when it is time to accept a reasonable settlement. Furthermore, some lawyers put their interests ahead of their clients, choosing to proceed to a jury trial rather than a bench trial because they believe they will earn more money. Make sure that you can put your faith in any litigation attorney you employ.
Maintain An Open Line of Communication
You will not comprehend the stress of a litigation case unless you are engaged in one, which is why you will need an attorney who will keep you informed and active throughout the process. Due to the possibility of being charged for updates, it is necessary to strike a careful balance. It would be best to inquire with your attorney about how he intends to keep you informed and what his preferred mode of contact is.
Communication by email is the most convenient and cost-effective method of staying up to date. Furthermore, you should know who your point of contact is since the individual with whom you talk may not be the attorney working on your case. It is reasonable to expect a paralegal or legal secretary to keep you informed regularly. By being aware that you are conversing with a paralegal, you will be better prepared to recognize when you should ask the litigator to address particular questions.
Final Thoughts
A great litigation lawyer is not only well-versed in law, but they are also professional in their conduct and the way they communicate with clients. Considering the points up above will help choose a litigation lawyer you can trust.
If you are looking for an experienced litigation attorney to help you with any legal proceedings, you can always rely on us at McCallum, Hoaglund & McCallum, LLP. We have years of hard work and passionately work with clients. Contact us today and learn more about our practices.