Clients: How to Effectively Summarize Your Legal Issue

When you have legal needs that require an attorney’s help, the first step to finding the perfect attorney is effectively summarizing your legal issue, so you can explain it to attorneys that you are considering hiring.

Whether you intend to find an attorney by getting a referral, using a directory, or posting your job and having attorneys come to you, you first need to identify the area of law that your issue falls into. Some areas of law are easy—DUI is criminal law, divorce is family law, contract drafting is contract law, etc., but some areas of law are not so simple to identify. If you are not sure which area of law you need falls into, do a quick, online search and educate yourself before trying to hire an attorney. Reaching out to the wrong type of attorney to help you with your legal needs is a waste of your time and that attorney’s time.

Draft a Summary of Your Need and Your Preferences

Next, draft a short, one paragraph summary describing your legal needs. Use general terms—you do not need to get into the details at this point. The summary should include a brief statement of the essential facts, identify what you would like accomplish with the representation, and describe traits that are important to you in an attorney you hire. For example: “My wife and I need a simple estate plan created. We have two children, and make approximately $100,000 per year. We do not need something overly-complicated, and are hoping to have this done as inexpensively as possible. We are looking for an attorney that is practical, responsive, and can handle this immediately.”

Identify Important Questions You Have

Then, identify anywhere from two to five essential questions that you would like answered by the attorneys you reach out to. You want to know the answers to these questions, but equally as important, you also want to know if the attorney you are considering has the knowledge and experience needed to answer the questions. Typical questions to ask at when hiring an attorney include: How much will this cost? How long will it take? What is the general process for something like this? If an attorney can’t provide you with a relatively straight and informative answer, it might be a sign of things to come if you decide to hire that attorney.

Pull Together Important Documents

Finally, pull together all information and documentation related to your legal needs. That way, if an attorney requests certain information or documentation to evaluate your issue, you can provide it to him or her quickly and keep that attorney engaged—as opposed to getting back to them in a few weeks. Also, by doing this, once you hire an attorney, you will then have everything ready and available so you can hit the ground running.

Start Your Search

Once you have compiled all of this information, you are ready to begin your search. Having the information outlined above at your fingertips will make your search less time consuming, less confusing, and will result in you hiring the best attorney for you.

If you are looking for an attorney, please visit www.legalserviceslink.com, where you can find the perfect attorney for you using our directory or by posting your legal job and having attorneys come to you!

Posted - 09/22/2015