When faced with a legal problem, most people want to hire an attorney but need help knowing where to start. Over 1 million people live in Sydney, making it one of Australia’s largest cities. Though thousands of reputable law firms are in the city, like Attwood Marshall Sydney, choosing the right one can be daunting.
Whether you are looking for advice on a will and estate, want to start your own business, or trying to understand compensation law, there are many things to consider before hiring a lawyer in Sydney.
Here are some tips on how to find the best legal expert.
Table of Contents
Qualifications and expertise
A lawyer should be qualified to practice law in the jurisdiction. This is an essential requirement. Qualifications for practicing law vary by country, state, and province. In Australia, lawyers must study at least three years of tertiary level education (university or TAFE) which includes learning about the legal system in Australia and gaining experience through work placements or part-time jobs during school holidays or summer break.
Look at their experience, areas of practice, and track record
A lawyer’s area of practice and experience are the most important factors when deciding which legal expert to engage. Look at their website, or ask them about their expertise. If you’re looking for a lawyer with particular expertise, such as family law or criminal law, make sure that this is one of the areas in which your chosen lawyer has experience.
You can talk to your friends and colleagues about their experience with any legal firm. Or you can read client reviews on the internet. It is essential to look at how many cases the law firm has handled in the past, especially those that have been successful, and whether or not the cases were similar to yours.
Look for any awards or accreditations the firm might have
The legal industry is booming in this part of Australia. In October 2014, there were more than 66,211 practicing solicitors in Australia. When looking for a lawyer in Sydney, it’s a good idea to note any awards or accreditations they might have. You can find out whether they have any by checking their website or asking them directly. Awards are always worth noting because they show that the lawyer has achieved something credible, which can be valuable when trying to find someone who knows what they’re doing.
Meet the lawyers in-person
Once you have curated a list of potential lawyers, you must decide to meet them for a consultation session. Meeting the attorney in person is the best way to ensure that your goals are aligned and that you feel comfortable with them. Meeting a lawyer for the first time can be nerve-wracking or intimidating, but it’s an opportunity to get a feel for their personality and experience. Ask them questions like:
- How long have they been practicing?
- What is their approach to litigation?
- Do they have any experience in my particular field?
Knowing who will work on your case exclusively is essential when deciding which lawyer to hire. You may want to ask whether you will deal with the same lawyers from start to finish or whether there may be some change. Changing your lawyer can be difficult and can leave you dissatisfied. Therefore, you must ensure that whoever works on your case has a good track record. It’s also essential for clients to feel like they have an advocate who understands what they’re going through and can connect with them emotionally. This helps create trust between client and lawyer, making communication easier when dealing with sensitive issues such as family disputes or criminal charges.
Visit the law office
A lawyer’s office is like any other business that strives to serve clients and achieve positive results. However, you want to ensure that the location works for you and your schedule. Note the size of the office and how many people are working there. Are there multiple partners? How do they manage internally? How many support staff members does the attorney have? These are the type of questions that help determine whether or not the law firm will be able to meet your needs. So don’t hesitate to ask questions when visiting in person!
Conclusion
Your lawyer should have your best interests at heart and communicate clearly with you. To know how the case is progressing and the steps to take, you must be able to rely on them. Many legal services like Attwood Marshall Sydney have experts ready to help you anytime in personal injury law and compensation, estate law, family law, commercial litigation, retirement advice, criminal offences, etc. When searching for attorneys, look at their websites and research before making an appointment. Ask if they use email regularly or prefer phone calls. That way, you won’t waste time communicating through methods that don’t work well for either party.
If you are searching for a lawyer in Sydney, it can take time to figure out which one to hire. There are several things you should consider before making a decision. Ensure they have the experience and proficiency in cases relevant to your needs.
