How To Choose A Suitable Personal Advocate For You

The advantages of having a great advocate in your corner are very clear. What most people don’t understand is how exactly you can get such a lawyer.

The process of choosing an advocate can be very overwhelming for various reasons. First, it’s the simple fact that there are so many lawyers out there claiming to be the best at what they do. Secondly, many people seek the services of advocates when they are in desperate situations. This puts you in a bad emotional state, which can affect your decision-making.

That said, we have prepared a brief and easy-to-understand guide to help you make a smart choice. Here is what you need to do:

5 Ways to Find a Suitable Personal Advocate

1.  Experience

There is so much to gain from an advocate with years of practicing experience. For one, they have a vast knowledge of the law and can offer the best advice on what you need to do. Building a winning case with such a lawyer is so much easier.

As you may already know, lawyers tend to specialize in specific fields. For instance, some focus on criminal cases while others practice corporate law. It’s critical that you get a lawyer with experience in your specific area of interest. This is especially important if it’s a sensitive matter.

There are several ways of knowing a lawyer’s experience. The first and obvious method is by setting up an appointment and asking the hard questions yourself. Some advocates will charge you for this, so make the best use of that time. The other method is by searching online. Go through their website and see how long they’ve been practicing. Some of them even mention a few high-profile achievements in their careers. You can also do a general online search and read any articles and news pieces that come up.

2.  Availability

Dealing with a lawyer that is not available to you is very stressful. Some people may even never see their advocates until the day of the hearing. That’s terrible. Find a lawyer that’s available to answer your questions. Someone who can talk you through the whole process and tell you what to expect.  And they don’t even have to be available for physical appointments every time; even a phone call can go a long way. An unavailable lawyer is probably overburdened, which means they might not give your case the attention and seriousness it demands.

3.  Proximity

Proximity or location is vital for several reasons. One, some laws vary from state to state. If your situation is affected by such laws, it’s in your best interest to find a lawyer within your location. That’s because they’re probably very familiar with the laws and can hence build the best defense.

The location of the lawyer also directly affects your ability to meet and interact with them. There is so much you can tell about someone by meeting them in person instead of holding conversations over the phone. You can tell how professional, sincere, and available they are. You’ll know if they are actually concerned about your plight.

For example, a lawyer who’s been practicing in Michigan for some time also has working connections with other professionals within the state. For instance, a personal injury lawyer in Lansing & Okemos probably has networks with other lawyers within the regions. These networks can be very helpful in handling your claim.

Advocates who’ve been practicing in a particular region for some time also have the best understanding of the judges in that area. This makes building a case easier.

4.  Size Of Firm

At some point, you will have to make the difficult choice of whether you want a small and personal firm or a bigger one with more resources. They both have their own pros and cons.

Small firms are good in that they are more available. The advocates can establish a personal working relationship in a way that bigger law firms may struggle to. They also tend to be more affordable. On the flip side, they usually have limited resources. That doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker though if your case doesn’t require so many resources.

Meanwhile, big firms are not short on resources. They have countless supporting staff making sure everything is running smoothly at all times. But then you will have to pay quite a lot for those services. Also, the availability of advocates can be an issue here.

Look at your needs and budget and make the right decision.

5.  Cost

Finally, you have to consider your budget. As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) explains, there are different fees and costs of hiring a lawyer. You need to go through some of these costs to estimate how much you may spend.  Ask the advocate about the billing process. Is it hourly or a flat rate? And are the fees negotiable? Furthermore, are expenses like travel and filling included in the bill? Clear everything up before signing any document. 

Getting a good advocate is easier said than done. By following the tips stated above, you can make this process a lot easier. In doing so, you’ll find an advocate who can readily help you with your concerns right away.

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