Toronto Lawyers

Before you meet with any lawyers, do some “comparison shopping.” Consult your local print Yellow Pages or Internet Yellow Pages and make a list of several lawyers who meet your specific needs. For example, Family Lawyer, Personal Injury Lawyer, Criminal Lawyer and so on. Call each lawyer and ask specific questions that pertain to your needs and will help you make a decision. It’s normal practice for some lawyers  to ask you to meet briefly in person.

Questions you should ask about the lawyer include what is their level of experience with your specific situation, when they last handled a similar case and what was the outcome. In addition, you should ask if the they offer a free consultation before you make your hiring decision. If there is a fee, ask how how much it will be. In any case, do not expect a long first meeting, with 30 minutes being average.

After you’re done interviewing at least three lawyers, ask yourself a few questions:

• Will you be comfortable working closely with this particular lawyer?
• Do you feel comfortable  that the lawyer has the specific experience and skill to handle your case?
• Did you fully understand the lawyer’s explanation of what your case involves and the projected, although not final, outcome?
• Do the fee’s seem fair and reasonable?

There are several types of fee arrangements, each should be put put in writing.If the fee arrangement is for a contingency fee (the lawyer will get a percentage of the settlement if you win) the agreement must be in writing. And it must include, among other things, the specific agreed-upon percentage.

For non-contingency arrangements, the fee agreement must include the lawyer’s hourly rate and other standard rates, fees and charges that would apply to your case. It also must explain the general nature of the services that the lawyer will provide for you.

In many instances, it is impossible for a lawyer to know exactly how much time your case will take. In this instance,  ask the lawyer to include an estimate of the time and costs in writing. You should note that unexpected issues can increase the costs. For example, your case might involve a cross complaint. This means that the person you are suing is also suing you. Typically, a cross complaint increased your lawyer’s fee.

Other common fee arrangements include a fixed, hourly, retainer, contingency or statutory fee.

At the end of the day, write down everything that the lawyers have to say. Take time to think it over, then finalize an appointment with the lawyer who is the best fit.