Four Tips For Choosing The Right Lawyer To Defend Your Business
If a civil lawsuit has been filed against your business, you will need to hire a lawyer to defend you in court. This can be a challenging endeavor if you have never hired a civil litigation attorney before. There are plenty of good lawyers out there, but how do you know which one is right for you? Here are four tips to help you find the right one.
1. Meet With the Lawyers in Person
These days, it's so easy to browse the internet and come up with a list of people you think you'd be happy hiring. But the online portrayal of a lawyer often leaves out their personality -- something that is important when you're going to be working with this person on important matters for months at a time. Meet with the lawyers you are considering in person so you can get an idea of who interacts well with you and who you do not quite jive with. You want to hire someone who makes you feel comfortable, reassured, and confident.
2. Look for Specific Experience
Every civil litigation attorney is going to have a somewhat different background and experience. Look for someone who has specific experience in your industry. For instance, if you work for a drug company, look for an attorney who has experience defending drug companies, not just small retail stores. This does not mean your lawyer's entire history has to have been spent in your industry, but a few successful cases in your industry are essential.
3. Pay Attention to Location
These days, it's pretty easy to collaborate with someone who lives hundreds of miles away, thanks to the Internet. However, your civil litigation attorney will have to physically come to court to defend you, so you want to make sure you hire someone in the area. Even if someone who lives a state or two away is willing to take your case, you will have to pay their travel fees if you hire them. So a local person is almost always a better choice unless you're in a very niche industry and the only attorney with the relevant experience is far away.
4. Look for Honesty
While you want your lawyer to be confident, you do not need a "yes man." Look for a lawyer who is honest with you about the challenges that your case will present. Someone who acknowledges these challenges will be better able to address them in court than someone who tries to ignore the challenges.
For more information about hiring a civil litigation lawyer, reach out to firms like Hart Law Offices, PC.