When dealing with a legal issue in Massachusetts, a Massachusetts attorney will be the best option to a satisfactory legal outcome.  Every state in the United States has its own set of unique laws that interact with local laws to create a complex web of enforcement and punishment.  As such, the Massachusetts attorney will be able to interpret the General Laws of Massachusetts and combine that with his or her extensive knowledge of the legal system litigate successfully on your behalf or mount a competent defense, depending on the criminal or civil matter.

You may wonder why you need a Massachusetts attorney over an attorney from another state.  Massachusetts attorneys, by virtue of years of experience practicing law in the state, will have the best knowledge of the system and ways that they may be able to help you if you ever unintentionally violate Massachusetts law or plan to sue a party in Massachusetts.  Lawyers that are experienced at practicing within a specific jurisdiction will not only have experience working with other legal professionals but will have generally cultivated professional relationships with these individuals.  This relationship can foster cooperation during a settlement, provide the Massachusetts attorney with privileged information when appealing to his or her professional peers and even help to foster a plea bargain if the Massachusetts attorney and prosecutor have an excellent working relationship.

The Massachusetts Bar Association is the primary associations for Massachusetts attorneys, although membership is not mandatory.  This enables many Massachusetts attorneys to join their local bar association.  Still, many Massachusetts attorneys will join the MBA or hold multiple memberships, at their discretion for the professional networking and other benefits.  Additionally, there are a number of benefits and discounts available to Bar Association members.

Among the publications of the MBA, there is the Massachusetts Law Review and Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.  The Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly is a newspaper that reports on state and federal decisions as well as changes to legal processes, laws and court rules.  There is also a job section that is among the best at connecting applicants to careers in the legal professional field.

The MBA also maintains a comprehensive directory of its members for the purposes of connecting member lawyers with clients.  Among services available to Massachusetts attorneys are fee arbitration, ethical advice and mentoring for newer legal professionals.  Lastly, the MBA maintains a lawyer referral service that screens and connects clients to participating Massachusetts attorneys. 

In addition to the MBA, there is the Boston Bar Association that offers a number of similar services in a more focused area.  This includes continuing legal education classes, twenty-five practice sections and professional networking.  The BBA also has a lawyer referral service and can provide lawyer referral services in the span of one business day.  The Boston Bar Foundation is the charitable arm of the BBA and works to inform the public about the law and work for underprivileged clients that would otherwise not have access to legal services.

Bar association membership is a great indicator that the lawyer has been vetted and is a trusted legal professional.  Bar associations will maintain certain standards for membership that include standards of professional and ethical responsibility, in addition to other important obligations.

If the attorney does not have admission to the state bar, you should examine his or her credentials.  Ensure that the law degree is from an accredited law school and that there is evidence of admission to the bar.  If the lawyer does not produce these things, then this is likely not an individual that should be dispensing legal advice.  

You should be able to make determinations based on subjective factors as well.  Ensure that your lawyer communicated well with you and you are able to express you concerns and ask questions about the legal service you will be receiving.  Since you will often be paying significant costs or exercising your precious right to litigation, it is important that your case be handled with care and professionalism.  If the Massachusetts attorney does not display professional demeanor and is constantly bickering and denigrating his or her fellow attorneys, you should consider how this might affect your case.

What are the typical rates of a Massachusetts attorney?

There will be many fees associated with legal services, some minor, such as court fees and document preparation fees and some that encompass the entire service, such as a retainer fee.  Always have the fees given to you in writing so you understand what you will be potentially billed for the service.

You can expect your Massachusetts attorney to work on contingency for accident cases, variable fees for complicated cases and flat fees for providing legal services, such as writing documents.  Contingency fees are sometimes regulated by law and Massachusetts is no exception. Contingency fees are limited in the following manner:

– Not exceeding 40% of first $150,000

– 33.33% of next $150,000

– 30% of next $200,000 

– 25% of any award over $500,000. 

Remember that laws such as these tend to change especially with newer tort reform movements gaining traction and working to limit the damages that may be collected by a plaintiff and attorney fees to be collected by the attorney for services rendered.

Hourly billing is the preferred means by which lawyers are paid for non-contingency cases.  Some lawyers may have alternate pay plans or different arrangements to pay fees, so it is best to check with the lawyer during the consultation for alternate fee arrangements.  Be aware of hidden fees or fees for using ancillary services and personnel, such as the service of a paralegal.

The client must use caution when using retainer arrangements as the lawyer, under the traditional form of the arrangement can deduct as he needs from the retainer and request that the client replenish is as needed.  This can be combined with another fee in a “blended fee arrangement” where needy clients can pay a small retainer in exchange for contingency arrangements or extended payment plans.

How does my case relate to Massachusetts laws?

Are local laws in effect for this case?

What are your fees and do you have alternate payment plans?

Are you a member, in good standing, of the Massachusetts Bar Association?

What roles do you play as a member?

Can I please have all fees in writing?

Can we work out an alternate arrangement that suits my economic needs?

What are my chances of winning a settlement or at trial?

Rhode Island attorneys, or lawyers, are professionals who have completed law school, taken and passed the bar exam, and is licensed by the state of Rhode Island to practice law within the state. There are many different legal issues that Rhode Island attorneys may be able to assist in. Not only can Rhode Island attorneys help with many various legal problems after they come up, but they can also help prevent the issues in the first place. 

Rhode Island attorneys have the ability to assess the legal issue at hand and discuss the available options regarding further pursing the case or receiving legal assistance.  It is a good decision to get some advice about your case from various Rhode Island attorneys because if many of them feel that the case will not hold up in court or that the case is not worth pursuing, you can reconsider whether it your case is worth further action. 

Rhode Island attorneys also take all needed steps to make sure that they are working in your best interest and that your legal rights are completely assessed and protected. These attorneys do this  by carefully researching the law, collecting important records, planning a winning legal strategy, interviewing witnesses and finding expert witnesses, discussing the case with expert consultants, dealing with necessary paperwork and documents, and communicating with the opposing counsel  as well as any insurers to guarantee the best outcome possible for your case.

While you can handle legal issues pro se, or without any legal representation, this is usually not recommended for complicated legal issues. Even if you are intelligent and aware of the law, you may not be as knowledgeable about procedure, which may result in you losing the case. Rhode Island attorneys can help in many different situations including the following:

• Arrest or questioning by Rhode Island state or local law enforcement

• Accidents involving personal injury and/or property damage

• Tax issues , for example fraud, that involves the IRS or the Rhode Island Division of Taxation

• Family law cases involving contested divorce or child custody

• Drafting estate plans, trusts, or wills

• Buying or selling a home, business, or other real estate

• Forming or incorporating a business

• Employment harassment and discrimination

If you feel your case requires a good attorney, the next step you must take is finding the right one for your case. This may seem difficult because there are so many Rhode Island attorneys, but there are ways to filter your search. 

There is more than one way to sort through Rhode Island attorneys, but the important thing to remember is to keep your standards high. A great way to start your search is by asking for any referrals from businesses, friends, family, other lawyers, or online sources. When relying on referrals, you should make sure that the recommendations are based on cases that are similar to yours.  Alternatively, you can try to find the best Rhode Island attorneys by through the use of online directories, whose purpose is to connect the right prospective attorneys to you. These directories provide search tools to sort through Rhode Island Attorneys based on different qualifications.

For Rhode Island, you can search through Rhode Island cities including Cranston, East Providence, Newport, Bristol, Cumberland, East Greenwich, Jamestown, Lincoln, Middleton, North Kingston, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Riverside, Tiverton, Rumford, Warren, Westerly, and more. Alternatively, you can search through different counties in Rhode Island such as Bristol County, Kent County, Newport County, Providence County, and Washington County. While it is not idea to eliminate potential attorneys only because of their location, it is helpful to eliminate Rhode Island Attorneys that are so far that you know it would be impossible to work with.

When you have a legal issue that requires the help of an attorney, the best way to look for an attorney is to sort through them based on who has plenty of experience in handling similar cases like yours. You should also make sure that the individual is in fact a qualified attorney for your case. This means that the attorney should be a member of both the Rhode Island state bar and the American Bar Association. Additionally, the attorney should have a record for success and should be able to provide references that will verify this.

To make a decision regarding who is the best out of all the Rhode Island attorneys for your case, you should make sure to meet each potential attorney in person to discuss your case as well as the attorney’s ability to represent it. In order for the attorney to thoroughly examine your case and decide its estimated value, the most helpful thing you can do is bring along any relevant records or documents that provide relevant information about the case. For example, for a car accident, you would want to bring the accident report, police report, hospital records, and so on. All capable Rhode Island attorneys should be able to take a look at the details of you case and explain the specific legal issues as well as his or opinion of what the result of further legal action would be.

After discussing the details of the case and hearing the attorney’s opinions, you should also question the attorney regarding his or her qualifications, education, and experience. Example questions that are important to ask include the following:

• How long have you practiced law in Rhode Island?

• What area of law do you typically practice? 

• How many cases have you taken on that are similar to mine?

• What is your success rate in these cases?

• Typically, what sort of clients do you have?

• What education or special knowledge do you have that is applicable to this case?

• Would you personally handle the case or would a junior attorney handle it?

• How do your costs and fees work and how are they billed?

• Are there any other legal options available for solving this problem?

• How often will I receive updates regarding my case and what form of communication will we use?

• What is the most probable outcome of the case?

The cost of hiring Rhode Island attorneys vary individually and are dependent on many factors such as:

• Geographic location

• Reputation

• Experience

• Track record of success

• Type of law

Many times, Rhode Island attorneys will bill you either at an hourly rate or as a flat fee. Depending on the circumstances and the type of law, attorneys can provide various payment plans to accommodate for your financial situation and any charges that may occur throughout the legal process. During your consultation with a lawyer, you should make sure to go over fees and charges carefully in order to avoid any miscommunication or misunderstanding. This includes how billing works, what are the rates for certain activities, and what specifically will be billed. If you notice a discrepancy between billing rates between attorneys, feel free to ask for the reasoning behind this from the specific attorney.

If you live in the Orlando area or in another part of Orange County Florida and you need legal help then you may want to get in touch with an Orlando Attorney who handles cases like yours.  Orlando Attorneys should be in good standing with the Florida Bar Association, have had little, or no, disciplinary action taken against them by the Florida Bar Association, or any other bar association, and be familiar with, not only Florida law, but the substantive and procedural laws of the Orange County and the city of Orlando.

If you have a problem with your Orlando Attorney or you feel that another Orlando Attorney is not representing the legal profession properly than you may want to notify the Florida Bar Association.  The legal profession is one that polices its own members.  Orlando Attorneys and the Florida Bar Association hold the practice of law in high regard and an Orlando Attorney is expected to uphold the legal, ethical, and professional standards of the practice on a 24/7 basis.  If you know of an Orland Attorney who is in violation of the rules of professional conduct then you should contact the Attorney Consumer Assistance Program at 866-352-0707.  You should also fill out a Florida Bar Inquiry/Complaint Form found at www.floridabar.org.  The Florida Bar Association also keeps a list of all disciplinary actions taken against any Orlando, or Florida, attorney within the past 10 years.  You can get that information by calling 1-800-342-8060 ext. 5839.  

If you have an issue with your Orlando Attorney that involves an argument over fees then it is not a matter for the Disciplinary Committee.  The Florida Bar Association operates a fee dispute mediation/arbitration program to help you and your Orlando Attorney come to an amicable solution.  This service can be reached at 866-352-0707.

Orlando Attorneys can be found by a number of means.  There are numerous amounts of Orlando Attorneys that practice all kinds of law within the city of Orlando and the surrounding Orange County.  One way to find Orlando Attorneys is to simply ask others including friends, relatives, and co-workers who you believe may know of a good Orlando Attorney for your specific problem.  You can also do a basic internet search to find Orlando Attorneys.  Almost every Orlando Attorney operates a webpage that outlines their practice, experience, education and any favorable results they have received through their legal practice.  Although this is a lot of helpful information it should be taken with a grain of salt for this information is designed to portray that attorney in the best way possible and may not show the full story.

Another way to find an Orlando Attorney is by taking advantage of the lawyer referral service operated by the Orange County Bar Association.  The Orange County Bar Association keeps a directory of all Orlando Attorneys currently practicing who are in good standing with the Florida Bar Association.  By calling the referral service at 407-422-4537 you will be put in touch with a representative who will put you in touch with an Orlando Attorney who fits your needs.  The fee for the use of this service is $50.  The fee pays for a 30 minute consultation meeting with the referred Orlando Attorney to discuss your legal problem.  After the consultation meeting it is up to you and the Orlando Attorney to come up with future arrangements.  You are under no obligation to retain the Orlando Attorney and the Orlando Attorney is under no obligation to take you on as a client.  Always remember that, even if you do not hire the Orlando Attorney, anything that is communicated during the consultation meeting is confidential and may not be disclosed by that Orlando Attorney.

If you cannot afford an Orlando Attorney then you may have some options.  If you are a defendant in a criminal matter then you may be entitled to representation from the State under the 5th Amendment.  The 5th Amendment stipulates that when an individual is facing any amount of incarceration he, or she, is entitled to an attorney and will be appointed one if he, or she, cannot afford one.  

If you are involved in a civil matter and cannot afford representation then you may want to contact Orange County Legal Aide.  The Orange County Legal Aide is comprised of 18 attorneys who represent clients for little or no charge.  If you feel that you qualify for the services then you should call 407-841-8310 or e-mail at info@legalaidocba.org.  The service helps clients with matters concerning Family law, Consumer law, Immigration law, Employment Law, and Guardian Ad Litem.  

Orlando Attorneys who practice in Orange County must know the court system, where to file, who the judges, prosecutors, and court staff are.  Cases that involve Orlando Attorneys are heard in the Orlando Circuit & County Courts located at:

425 N. Orange Ave

Orlando, FL 32801

The County court is the court of limited jurisdiction in Orlando.  It hears civil matters where the amount in question is less than $15,000 and landlord/tenant disputes.  The criminal division of the County court hears criminal traffic violations and misdemeanors.

The Circuit court is the court of general jurisdiction in Orlando.  It hears civil matters where the amount in question is greater than $15,000 and appeals from the County courts.  The criminal division of the Circuit court hears all felony matters and appeals from the County courts.

The Orlando courthouse also has divisions for: collections court, domestic relations, drug court, juvenile court, traffic court, and probate court.

A Philadelphia Attorney is a lawyer who represents all types of clients in the city of Philadelphia and Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  If you are looking for a Philadelphia attorney you should be sure that the Philadelphia Attorney is in good standing with the Pennsylvania Bar Association, has a relatively clean disciplinary record, and has the requisite experience in the field of law where you need representation.  Philadelphia attorneys practice in all aspects of the law.  Philadelphia attorneys who focus on criminal law represent defendants accused of felonies, misdemeanors, DUI, and even traffic violations.  Philadelphia attorneys may also practice in a number of areas of civil law in which the plaintiff is seeking money damages or equitable relief for a wrong committed by the defendant.  These cases include torts, contracts, landlord/tenant, real estate, corporate law, etc.

In order to become a Philadelphia Attorney an individual must meet a number of requirements with both educational and ethical aspects to them.  First, a Philadelphia attorney must have graduated from a 4 year accredited university or college with at least a bachelor’s degree.  In addition a Philadelphia attorney must also have graduated from a law school that is recognized by the American Bar Association.  Once this is achieved an individual is able to sit for the Pennsylvania Bar Exam.  Graduating from law school is not the only way to be permitted to sit for the bar exam.  For other information about that you should contact the Pennsylvania Bar Examiners Office.

To be a Philadelphia attorney an individual must sit for, and pass, the Pennsylvania Bar Exam.  The Pennsylvania Bar Exam is a 2 day exam that is administered twice a year, once in July and again in February.  The first day of the exam consists of 6 essay questions based on Pennsylvania law and a Multi-State Performance Test.  The Multi-State Performance Test is a 90 minute exam that gauges an applicants ability to take substantive law and evidence and use that information to write a concise, persuasive memo or brie.  The second day of the exam is the MBE.  The Multi-State Bar Exam is a 200 question multiple choice exam that tests on the general laws concerning contracts, torts, criminal law, constitutional law, and evidence.  The Pennsylvania Bar Exam is graded by giving 45% to the MBE and 55% weight to the first days portion of the exam.

In addition to the Bar Exam a Philadelphia attorney must also take the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Exam which tests an applicants knowledge of the Rules of Professional Conduct.  A passing score for the State of Pennsylvania is a 75.  In addition, a Philadelphia Attorney must also complete the character and fitness portion of the application.  This application will involve collecting data on an applicants previous addresses, criminal history, employers, education, etc. to ensure the Pennsylvania Bar Association that you have the ability to represent yourself as an upstanding member of the Bar Association.

You can find a Philadelphia Attorney in one of many different ways.  The simplest is by doing an internet search for Philadelphia attorneys who practice in the specific area of law that you require representation in.  Almost all Philadelphia attorneys maintain websites that inform the public about the attorneys education, experience, qualifications, certifications and other positive attributes.  Even though this is a good source of information the data is skewed and remember that this is advertising designed to bring in clients.

You can also take advantage of the Philadelphia Bar Associations Lawyer Referral Service.  The Philadelphia Bar Association, at www.philabar.org, maintains a lawyer referral service at www.philadelphiabarlawyers.com.  By clicking on the link on the right side of the page you may fill in the information requested such as your name, contact information, and a brief description of your legal problem.  You may also wish to talk to a representative at 215-238-6333.  After doing one of these two things a representative will take your information and give you the contact information of a Philadelphia attorney near you who is qualified and able to help.  The referral service is free but the attorney that you are referred to may charge up to $30 for an initial 30 minute consultation meeting.  After the consultation it is up to you and the referred Philadelphia Attorney to discuss future representation and fees.  You are under no obligation to retain the appointed Philadelphia Attorney and the Philadelphia Attorney is not obligated to represent you.  However, any information communicated by you to the Philadelphia attorney during the consultation is considered privileged and may not be divulged by the Philadelphia Attorney whether you continue representation or not.

It is the obligation of the Philadelphia Attorney to conduct him, or herself, in a professional, ethical, and legal matter at all times, even when at home.  Violations of the rules of professional conduct are serious matters and the Pennsylvania Bar Association takes these matters with the utmost importance.  If you feel that you, or any, Philadelphia Attorney has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct, has committed a crime, or neglected his, or her, duties then you should contact the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.  There are 4 divisions in the State and the Division that controls misconduct by Philadelphia Attorneys is at:

16th Floor, Seven Penn Center

1635 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

You may download the complaint form from www.padisciplinaryboard.org and mail the completed, and signed form to that address so that the disciplinary board may look into the matter and decide what actions, if any, should be taken.

San Francisco Attorneys are lawyers who are barred in the State of California and practice law in the City and County of San Francisco. In order to be a San Francisco attorney an individual must be in good standing with the California Bar Association, uphold the ethical and professional standards of the Rules of Professional Responsibility, have little, to no, adverse disciplinary action taken against them be admitted to practice in the San Francisco courts.  

San Francisco attorneys should become members of the San Francisco Bar Association.  The San Francisco Bar Association can be found at www.sfbar.org and helps both the public and lawyers with legal matters having to do with a San Francisco attorneys practice, ethical questions, etc.

In order to practice law within the city and county of San Francisco an individual who wishes to become a San Francisco Attorney must meet the educational, as well as ethical requirements of the California Bar Association.  First, and foremost, an individual must be a graduate, with at least a bachelor’s degree, from an accredited college or university.  In addition the San Francisco Attorney applicant must have graduated from a 3 year law school program that is approved by the American Bar Association.  There are alternatives to graduating from law school and these matters should be discussed with the American Bar Association or the California Bar Association.

A San Francisco Attorney must take, and pass, the California Bar Exam.  The California Bar Exam, often considered the hardest in the country, is a 3 day exam that is administered twice a year, once in February and again in July.  Day one and three of the California Bar Exam consist of two morning sessions with 3 essay questions and an afternoon session consisting of performance tests.  All questions on the first and third day are based on the substantive and procedural laws of California.  The second day is the Multi-State Bar Exam which is a 200 question multiple choice exam that is administered on a national scale by the National Board of Bar Examiners that tests on the general laws in evidence, criminal law, torts, contracts and constitutional law.  The exam is graded by weighing the first and third day as 65% of the overall score with the MBE comprising 35%.  The passing rate for the July exam is roughly 57% with the February exam at 38%.  

In addition an individual who wishes to become a San Francisco attorney must also take and pass the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Exam with the 86, the highest requirement in the country.  The San Francisco attorney applicant must also complete a character and fitness application that includes information about previous employers, education, addresses, criminal history, etc., in order to gauge whether the applicant for San Francisco lawyer meets the high standards of a San Francisco attorney.

The City and County of San Francisco has its courthouse at the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco.  The court is located in two locations within the city that handle different matters.

The Civic Center located at 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102 is where all civil, probate, family, and small claims cases are heard that arise out of the city and county of San Francisco.  The Civic Center may be contacted at 415-551-4000

The Hall of Justice, located at 850 Bryant St., San Francisco, CA 94103 handles all criminal matters within the city and county of San Francisco.  The Hall of Justice may be contacted at 415-551-0651.

Other divisions of the Superior Court of California for the County of San Francisco include the probate division, traffic division and the family court.  

If you are trying to find a San Francisco attorney you can begin your search by asking other people including your friends, family and co-workers who you know have used legal representation through San Francisco attorneys in the past. You can also find San Francisco attorneys through an internet search. Almost all San Francisco attorneys maintain websites that can inform you of the attorneys education, experience, specialization and any victories that that San Francisco attorney may have accomplished. Although this is a good resource these websites are used to promote the San Francisco attorney and the positive information should not be taken at its word.

You can take advantage of the San Francisco Bar Association’s referral source at www.sfbar.org  or by calling 415-989-1616.  By answering some basic questions including your contact information, and a brief description of your legal problem a representative will put you in touch with a San Francisco attorney who can help you with your legal issue. The service will charge you $35 for an initial 30 minute consultation with a San Francisco attorney.  If your matter is a personal injury where you are the plaintiff then the consultation fee will be waived.  After the initial consultation it is up to you and your San Francisco attorney to make arrangements for future representation. You are under no obligation to take on the services of the San Francisco Attorney who is appointed to you through the referral service and the San Francisco attorney is under no obligation to represent you. However, any conversation you have with that San Francisco attorney, whether there is future representation or not.

If you cannot afford a San Francisco attorney then you may be able to qualify for free legal aid through the San Francisco Bar Association.  If your matter involves family court, eviction, tort defense, consumer law, tax or business law then you may qualify for free legal help if you meet the poverty standards of the San Francisco Bar Association.  Call 415-989-1616 to see if you qualify.  In addition the Free Legal Advice & Referral Clinic (LARC) is a free legal service that meets twice a month at different locations in San Francisco.  This service supplies San Francisco Attorneys who can meet with individuals seeking brief legal advice.  The San Francisco attorney at the LARC meeting will be able to give you brief advice or even help refer you to some other attorney or organization that may be able to help you.  To find out when the next meeting and locations are please call 415-989-1616 and ask for an LARC representative.

San Jose Attorneys are lawyers who are barred in the State of California and practice law in the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County.  San Jose is the third largest city in California and the tenth largest city in the United States.  In order to be a San Jose attorney an individual must be in good standing with the California Bar Association, uphold the ethical and professional standards of the Rules of Professional Responsibility, have little, to no, adverse disciplinary action taken against them be admitted to practice in the San Jose and Santa Clara courts.

There is no San Jose Bar Association.  San Jose attorneys should become members of the Santa Clara Bar Association. The Santa Clara Bar Association can be found at www.sccca.org and helps both the public and lawyers with legal matters having to do with a San Jose attorneys practice, ethical questions, etc.  Individuals in San Jose can also take advantage of the Silicon Valley Bar Association at 650-325-7808 for help with estate planning, Intellectual Property, Family law, Tax, and Business.

In order to practice law within the city and county of San Jose an individual who wishes to become a San Jose Attorney must meet the educational, as well as ethical requirements of the California Bar Association. First, and foremost, an individual must be a graduate, with at least a bachelor’s degree, from an accredited college or university. In addition the San Jose Attorney applicant must have graduated from a 3 year law school program that is approved by the American Bar Association. There are alternatives to graduating from law school and these matters should be discussed with the American Bar Association or the California Bar Association.

A San Jose Attorney must take, and pass, the California Bar Exam. The California Bar Exam,often considered the hardest in the country, is a 3 day exam that is administered twice a year, once in February and again in July. Day one and three of the California Bar Exam consist of two morning sessions with 3 essay questions and an afternoon session consisting of performance tests. All questions on the first and third day are based on the substantive and procedural laws of California. The second day is the Multi-State Bar Exam which is a 200 question multiple choice exam that is administered on a national scale by the National Board of Bar Examiners that tests on the general laws in evidence, criminal law, torts, contracts and constitutional law. The exam is graded by weighing the first and third day as 65% of the overall score with the MBE comprising 35%. The passing rate for the July exam is roughly 57% with the February exam at 38%.

In addition an individual who wishes to become a San Jose attorney must also take and pass the Multi-State Professional Responsibility Exam with the 86, the highest requirement in the country. The San Jose attorney applicant must also complete a character and fitness application that includes information about previous employers, education, addresses, criminal history, etc., in order to gauge whether the applicant for San Jose Attorney meets the high standards of a San Jose attorney.

San Jose attorneys represent their clients in litigation in the Superior Court of California for the County of Santa Clara. The Superior Court is the trial court for the county of Santa Clara and all cases, both civil and criminal, go through the Superior Court. There are a number for the superior courts for Santa Clara County.  Some of the most important are: 

The Downtown Courthouse hears all civil cases, probate and small claims.  It is located at:

191 N. First St.

San Jose, CA 95113

The Hall of Justice hears all criminal cases, dependency and drug treatment.  The Hall of Justice court is located at:

190 West Hedding St. 

San Jose, CA 95110

The Family Courthouse is located at:

170 Park Ave.

San Jose, CA 95113

The Santa Clara Traffic Courthouse is located at:

1095 Homestead

Santa Clara, CA 95056

If you are trying to find a San Jose attorney you can begin your search by asking other people including your friends, family and co-workers who you know have used legal representation through San Jose attorneys in the past. You can also find San Jose attorneys through an internet search. Almost all San Jose attorneys maintain websites that can inform you of the attorneys education, experience, specialization and any victories that that San Jose attorney may have accomplished. Although this is a good resource these websites are used to promote the San Jose attorney and the positive information should not be taken at its word.

You can take advantage of the Santa Clara Bar Association’s referral source at www.sccba.org or by calling 408-971-6822. By answering some basic questions including your contact information, and a brief description of your legal problem a representative will put you in touch with a San Jose attorney who can help you with your legal issue. The service will charge you $41 for an initial 30 minute consultation with a San Jose attorney. The referral service has access to San Jose attorneys who practice in numerous areas of law.   After the initial consultation it is up to you and your San Jose attorney to make arrangements for future representation. You are under no obligation to take on the services of the San Jose Attorney who is appointed to you through the referral service and the San Jose attorney is under no obligation to represent you. However, any conversation you have with that San Jose attorney, whether there is future representation or not.

If you cannot afford a San Jose attorney then you may be able to qualify for free legal aid.  If you cannot afford a San Jose attorney or your matter is a workers compensation action you should call 408-971-6822 to discuss your problem with a representative and determine whether you qualify for free legal services through the Santa Clara County Bar Association.

San Diego Attorneys are lawyers who are barred in the State of California and practice law in the City and County of San Diego. In order to be a San Diego attorney an individual must be in good standing with the California Bar Association, uphold the ethical and professional standards of the Rules of Professional Responsibility, have little, to no, adverse disciplinary action taken against them be admitted to practice in the San Diego courts.  

San Diego attorneys should become members of the San Diego County Bar Association.  The San Diego County Bar Association can be found at www.sdcbaa.org and helps both the public and lawyers with legal matters having to do with a San Diego attorneys practice, ethical questions, etc.

In order to practice law within the city and county of San Diego an individual who wishes to become a San Diego Attorney must meet the educational, as well as ethical requirements of the California Bar Association.  First, and foremost, an individual must be a graduate, with at least a bachelor’s degree, from an accredited college or university.  In addition the San Diego Attorney applicant must have graduated from a 3 year law school program that is approved by the American Bar Association.  There are alternatives to graduating from law school and these matters should be discussed with the American Bar Association or the California Bar Association.

A San Diego Attorney must take, and pass, the California Bar Exam.  The California Bar Exam,often considered the hardest in the country, is a 3 day exam that is administered twice a year, once in February and again in July.  Day one and three of the California Bar Exam consist of two morning sessions with 3 essay questions and an afternoon session consisting of performance tests.  All questions on the first and third day are based on the substantive and procedural laws of California.  The second day is the Multi-State Bar Exam which is a 200 question multiple choice exam that is administered on a national scale by the National Board of Bar Examiners that tests on the general laws in evidence, criminal law, torts, contracts and constitutional law.  The exam is graded by weighing the first and third day as 65% of the overall score with the MBE comprising 35%.  The passing rate for the July exam is roughly 57% with the February exam at 38%.  

In addition an individual who wishes to become a San Diego attorney must also take and pass the Multi-State Professional Responsibility  Exam with the 86, the highest requirement in the country.  The San Diego attorney applicant must also complete a character and fitness application that includes information about previous employers, education, addresses, criminal history, etc., in order to gauge whether the applicant for San Diego lawyer meets the high standards of a San Diego attorney.

The City and County of San Diego holds court in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego.  The court is located in a number of locations throughout the city and county of San Diego.  There are 10 locations within San Diego County where trials occur through the Superior Courts.  

Civil cases and small claims are held in the Hall of Justice at:

330 West Broadway, Rm 225

San Diego, CA 92101

Criminal cases are held in the San Diego Courthouse at:

220 West Broadway 

San Diego, CA 92101

Probate Matters are held at the Madge Bradley building at 1409 Fourth Ave. and juvenile matters are heard at the Kearny Mesa Branch at 8950 Clairmont Memorial Blvd.  Both locations are in San Diego, California.  

These are just 4 of the branches of the Superior Court for the County of San Diego.  For more information see the court information page at www.sdcourt.ca.gov

If you are trying to find a San Diego attorney you can begin your search by asking other people including your friends, family and co-workers who you know have used legal representation through San Diego attorneys in the past. You can also find San Diego attorneys through an internet search. Almost all San Diego attorneys maintain websites that can inform you of the attorneys education, experience, specialization and any victories that that San Diego attorney may have accomplished. Although this is a good resource these websites are used to promote the San Diego attorney and the positive information should not be taken at its word.

You can take advantage of the San Diego County Bar Association’s referral service at www.sdcba.org  or by calling 619-231-8585.  By answering some basic questions including your contact information, and a brief description of your legal problem a representative will put you in touch with a San Diego attorney who can help you with your legal issue. The service is free for a 30 minute consultation.   After the initial consultation it is up to you and your San Diego attorney to make arrangements for future representation. You are under no obligation to take on the services of the San Diego Attorney who is appointed to you through the referral service and the San Diego attorney is under no obligation to represent you. However, any conversation you have with that San Diego attorney, whether there is future representation or not.

In addition, the to San Diego attorney referrals the San Diego County Bar Association also offers a Client Relations Program and a Fee Arbitration Program.  The Client Relations Program allows individuals to call the San Diego County Bar Association at 619-231-0781 or at arbitration@sdcba.org to file an informal complaint against your San Diego Attorney if you feel they have acted unprofessionally.  If you have a fee dispute you can call the same number and apply for the San Diego County Bar Associations Fee Arbitration Program.  By using the program you will be entitled to a 3 hour arbitration session to come to a binding agreement about your disputed attorney fee.  The arbitration will cost you 5% of the amount in dispute.  At a minimum this will be $75 and no more than $5,000.

You can also take advantage of the laws.com referral service to find a San Diego Attorney who practices law in the area where you need help.  By clicking on the “find a lawyer” link on the top of this page you will be brough to the laws.com referral.  From there you will input data including your name, contact information and location.  A representative from laws.com will notify you of a San Diego attorney who may be able to help you.

Sarasota attorneys represent clients in both the city and county of Sarasota, Florida.   Sarasota Attorneys should be in good standing with the Florida Bar Association, have had little, or no, disciplinary action taken against them by the Florida Bar Association, or any other bar association, and be familiar with, not only Florida law, but the substantive and procedural laws of the city and county of Sarasota.  

If you have a problem with your Sarasota Attorney or you have reason to believe that a Sarasota Attorney is not representing the legal profession properly than you may want to notify the Florida Bar Association.  The legal profession is one that polices its own members.  Sarasota Attorneys and the Florida Bar Association hold the practice of law in high regard and a Sarasota Attorney is expected to uphold the legal, ethical, and professional standards of the practice of law on  a 24/7 basis.  If you know of an Sarasota Attorney who is in violation of the rules of professional conduct then you should contact the Attorney Consumer Assistance Program at 866-352-0707.  You should also fill out a Florida Bar Inquiry/Complaint Form found at www.floridabar.org.  The Florida Bar Association also keeps a list of all disciplinary actions taken against any Sarasota, or Florida, attorney within the past 10 years.  You can get that information by calling 1-800-342-8060 ext. 5839.  

If you have an issue with your Sarasota Attorney that involves an argument over fees then it is not a matter for the Disciplinary Committee.  The Florida Bar Association operates a fee dispute mediation/arbitration program to help you and your Sarasota Attorney come to an amicable solution.  This service can be reached at 866-352-0707.

Sarasota Attorneys can be found by a number of means.  There are numerous amounts of Sarasota Attorneys that practice all kinds of law within the city and county of Sarasota.   One way to find Sarasota Attorneys is to simply ask others including friends, relatives, and co-workers who you believe may know of a good Sarasota Attorney for your specific problem.  You can also do a basic internet search to find Sarasota Attorneys.  Almost every Sarasota Attorney operates a webpage that outlines their practice, experience, education and any favorable results they have received through their legal practice.  Although this is a lot of helpful information it should be taken with a grain of salt for this information is designed to portray that attorney in the best way possible and may not show the full story.

Another way to find an Sarasota Attorney is by taking advantage of the lawyer referral service operated by the Florida Bar Association.  The Florida Bar Association keeps a directory of all Orlando Attorneys currently practicing who are in good standing with the Florida Bar Association.  By calling the referral service at 1-800-342-8011 you will be put in touch with a representative who will put you in touch with a Sarasota Attorney who fits your needs.  The referral is fee and the Sarasota attorney you meet with may not charge you more than $25 for a 30 minute consultation.  The consultation fee is completely waived if your matter involves elder law, AIDS or disability.   After the consultation meeting it is up to you and the Sarasota Attorney to come up with future arrangements.  You are under no obligation to retain the Sarasota Attorney and the Sarasota Attorney is under no obligation to take you on as a client.  Always remember that, even if you do not hire the Sarasota Attorney, anything that is communicated during the consultation meeting is confidential and may not be disclosed by that Sarasota Attorney.  You may fill out an online application at www.floridabar.org

If you cannot afford an Sarasota Attorney then you may have some options.  If you are a defendant in a criminal matter then you may be entitled to representation from the State under the 5th Amendment.  The 5th Amendment stipulates that when an individual is facing any amount of incarceration he, or she, is entitled to an attorney and will be appointed one if he, or she, cannot afford one.  

If you are involved in a civil matter and cannot afford representation then you may want to contact one of a number of legal aid services in the Sarasota County area.

Legal Aid of Manasota helps clients who cannot afford appropriate legal representation in civil matters.  The Legal Aid of Manasota represents clients in family law, wills, housing, consumer law & probate.  You can call them at 941-366-0038.  The legal aid society accepts clients who have an annual income of 150% of the national poverty level; 125% if the matter is a family law issue.

Gulf Coast Legal Services is also a legal aid society that helps indigent clients in the Sarasota area get in touch with Sarasota attorneys.  Sarasota attorneys who work through the Gulf Coast Legal Services represent needy clients in domestic violence, divorce, custody, foreclosure, tax and a number of other legal issues.  To see if you qualify and if a Sarasota Attorney through the legal aid service can help you then  call 941-366-1746.

Sarasota Attorneys who practice in SarasotaCounty must know the court system, where to file, who the judges, prosecutors, and court staff are.  Cases that involve Sarasota Attorneys are heard in the Superior Court of California for the County of Sarasota.  

There are two main courthouses in the Sarasota County Superior Court division.  Each court is a general jurisdictional courthouse that hears both civil and criminal matters.  The locations are:

Venice Beach

4000 S. Tamiami St.

Venice, FL 34293

941-861-7400

AND

Sarasota Courthouse

2000 Main St.

Sarasota, FL 34237

941-861-7400

In West Virginia, there are a variety of different legal issues that are not easily solved without receiving a help from an attorney who is well versed with West Virginia’s laws. West Virginia attorneys can help you with various legal issues that come up, but more importantly, they can also help in preventing any future legal issues.  West Virginia attorneys are trained to practice all fields of law and can help you with various legal issues like being questioned by West Virginia law enforcement officers, filing taxes, personal injury cases, business formation and incorporation, employment law, property damage, family law, estate planning, real estate law and more. 

The best West Virginia attorneys will take every needed action to provide you with the best service and ensure that your legal rights are completely protected. This is done by understanding the law and properly collecting needed information such as records or witness testimony. West Virginia attorneys then utilize the information and create a legal strategy to try to get the best outcome possible for you. They will also examine your case and help you understand your options in pursuing the case while providing their professional opinion about the viability of the case. Receiving an attorney’s opinion can save more time and money for you in the long run if you discover that your case is not worthwhile. 

West Virginia attorneys provide assistance by carefully examining the legal situation you have and then list the different options you have in pursuing your case.  West Virginia attorneys do this and try to keep your best interest. They do this by collecting relevant records and information, creating a legal strategy  for your case, collecting the necessary information, filling out the needed paperwork, communicating with the opposing party’s counsel, and following proper procedure throughout all of this. By doing all this, the attorney helps protect your legal rights while fighting for the best outcome possible for your case.

If you think you need an attorney for your case, the next step you should do is to find the best one by performing preliminary research on various West Virginia attorneys. While there are many West Virginia attorneys available to choose from, you can eliminate many of them to make it easier to choose between them. The most important thing to remember when looking for an attorney is that you want to find an attorney that is extremely capable, competent, and compatible with you and the case. A great way to begin your search for an attorney is by looking for referrals from family, friends, other attorneys businesses, or online sources. However, you have to remember to rely on referrals for West Virginia attorneys who have successfully handled cases similar to yours. If a family member refers an attorney who was beneficial during a divorce case, he or she will not be as useful in a bankruptcy case as another attorney who has had extensive experience in bankruptcy cases. 

A quick way to narrow down the possible attorneys is by eliminating attorneys based on geographic location. Many online directories that provide attorney searches also have search options to sort through West Virginia attorneys by their geographic location. While you should not eliminate attorneys because they inconveniently located, attorneys who are impossible to get to should not be included in your options.

For West Virginia, you can search through West Virginia cities including Beckley, Bluefield, Charleston, Clarksburg, Dunbar, Elkins, Fairmount, Franklin, Hinton, Huntington, Hurricane, Kingwood, Logan, Madison, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Parsons, Pineville, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Spencer, Sutton, Wayne, Weirton, Welch, Wheeling, and Williamson. You can also sort through various West Virginia counties such as Cabell County, Berkeley County, Kanawha County, Raleigh County, Monongalia County, and Wood County.

If you feel that you need an attorney, and you have found enough potential candidates to consider, the next step is to sort through the attorneys in order to find best one. You should verify that the attorney is a member and in good standing with the American Bar Association and the West Virginia State Bar. The attorney should also have a good track record that particularly shows success in the type of law that is involved in your case. You can ask the attorney to provide references that demonstrate this level of success. When you meet each potential attorney individually, this is where you discuss the specific details of your legal case. You should also bring records or documents that provide relevant information about the case, so that the attorney can provide you with more information about your case. 

After a consultation with your attorney, you can also ask the attorney some questions to decide if his or her qualifications are suitable for your legal case. The questions can discuss what the attorney feels is the likely outcome of the case, how many similar cases the attorney has had, how long the attorney has practiced law in West Virginia, what area of law he or she usually practices, what education or knowledge makes the attorney appropriate for this case, the attorney’s success rate, how communication works between the attorney and the client, who would personally handle the case, what are the costs of the lawsuit, what sort of clients he or she usually has, and what other legal options may be available. 

West Virginia attorneys often charge an hourly rate, but they can also offer flat rates or contingent fees instead. These fees can are usually based on how much time the attorney spends on your case, the reputation and experience of the attorney, the results achieved in the case, other court fees, geographic location, and more.

You should discuss fees with the attorney at the very first interview or consultation. While the attorney will most likely not be able to tell you the exact amount for all the charges, he or she will be able to give an estimate based on previous cases that are similar to yours. It is important to fully discuss fees and charges with the attorney to avoid any misunderstanding about what and how charges are incurred over the case. 

Virginia attorneys are professionals who are licensed to practice law. These individuals have received an accredited law school degree, passed the bar exam, and are licensed by the State to practice law within Virginia. Virginia attorneys act as advisors as well as advocates for their clients. As advocates, they work to represent parties in civil or criminal trial. They do this by providing evidence and arguing to support their client in court. Virginia attorneys also counsel their clients about their legal obligations and legal rights and offer support regarding the best course of action in both personal and business matters. Regardless of whether an attorney is an advisor or an advocate, all Virginia attorneys must do research on the judicial decisions and the laws and then apply that information to your case. 

There are a variety of legal issues that Virginia attorneys can with. They can do this by providing assistance in a legal matter or by looking over a case and preemptively avoiding legal issues that may come up. Virginia attorneys can look at the situation and discuss the options you have in your case. You may consider hiring one of the many Virginia attorneys if you are being questioned or arrested by Virginia law enforcement, if you experience employment harassment or discrimination, if you have been in any kind of accident resulting in property damage or personal injury, if you are drafting a will, trust, or estate plan, if you have tax issues, if you are dealing with family law issues regarding divorce or children, if you plan to buy or sell real estate, if you wish to incorporate or form a business, and more. 

Virginia attorneys can ensure that your best interests and legal rights are protected. Virginia attorneys do this by this by looking up relevant laws and court cases, handling documents and paperwork, finding records, developing a legal strategy, interviewing witnesses, and communicating with insurers and opposing counsel. 

If you do not wish to hire an attorney, you can handle your case pro se, or without any legal representation. However, this is not recommended for any cases that are not routine, like an uncontested marriage, or with cases that involve large sums of money. Attorneys not only have knowledge of the law, but also the procedures involved. This is a huge benefit when bringing a case to court since any deviation from procedure can result in a case being thrown out.

When looking for an attorney, you must start filtering through the many Virginia attorneys to find the one that is right for you. The first place to look for Virginia attorneys is through referrals from friends, family, neighbors, associates, business, or other lawyers. Referrals should provide information about the attorney and how he or she may help your case. You want to find Virginia attorneys who have experience in cases that are very similar in nature to yours, so the referrals should reflect that. If you are unable to get referrals from people you know, you can also try by using an online referral service or an online directory of Virginia attorneys. These online attorney directories and services allow you to search through the Virginia Attorneys listed and filter them based on different qualifications. Additionally, many of these services also provide reviews of the attorneys.

For Virginia, you can search through Virginia cities including Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Bedford, Bristol, Chantilly, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Chester, Danville, Fairfax, Falls Church, Front Royal, Glen Allen, Great Falls, Halifax, Hampton, Hillsville, Lebanon, Lexington, Marion, Martinsville, Newport, Norfolk, Oakton, Orange, Portsmouth, Pulaski, Reston, Richmond, Roanoke, Rocky Mount, Salem, Stafford, Suffolk, Vienna, Virginia Beach, Winchester, Woodstock, and Yorktown. Additionally, search features are usually available for searching based on county, such as Chesterfield County, Fairfax County, Henrico County, Prince William County, and Virginia Beach City County.

If you have decided to that your case requires an attorney and you wish to hire one in your area, the best way to start going through each one is by sorting through the options and keeping those that have experience in handling cases that have similar legal issue as yours. The Virginia attorneys you consider should also be fully qualified to represent you in your case and should have the qualifications to prove it, such as being a member of Virginia state bar along with the American Bar Association. Additionally, any attorneys you consider should have either extensive experience in the particular legal field or more education in the area of law needed for your case. 

To decide which one of the Virginia attorneys is suitable for your case, you must meet with each potential candidate in a consultation or brief meeting face to face to discuss the case in order to gauge whether the attorney can properly represent the case. You should bring relevant information or records pertaining to the case in order to provide more information for the attorney so he or she can properly examine the facts and tell you his or her opinion of the case, whether the case is worth pursuing, or what legal issues does he or she anticipates. 

After discussing these points with the attorney, you will want to ask him or her question to make sure that his or her qualifications, education, and experience are sufficient for this case. Ask how long the attorney has practice in Virginia and in what field, what similar cases has he or she taken, what relevant continuing education or knowledge does he or she have, who would personally handle the case, how the costs and fees work in the attorney’s practice, are there other legal options for your case, what is the most likely outcome of legal action, how communication is carried out between the attorney and client, and whatever else you want to know. 

When consulting with an attorney, carefully discuss fees and charges to avoid miscommunication and later troubles. The cost will vary individually and rely on different factors such as the lawyer’s policies, reputation, experience, location, and so on. However, fees are usually billed at an hourly rate or as a flat fee, or depending on the case, as a contingency fee. 

When discussing legal fees as well as possible award amounts, you should receive realistic and reasonable estimates. One of the best advantages of meeting with many Virginia attorneys is that you may notice patterns in the attorneys’ opinions. For example, if two attorneys estimate similar amounts but a third attorney claims a much higher amount, you should figure out why that is the case.