Los Angeles attorneys are available to help you with your legal situation and help you figure out what options you have if you want to continue legal action. Los Angeles attorneys have the training and authority to provide legal counseling regarding your case. Los Angeles attorneys can study the facts and discuss the odds of your case being successful, what are the pros and cons for pursuing your case, and whether it is worth the amount of time, money, and effort that the case requires.

 Los Angeles attorneys given the authority by the State of California to act as legal officers, representative on behalf of clients, and public citizens who work to uphold the quality of justice.  Los Angeles attorneys are certified to handle legal matters, appear in court, and interpret the law for a client.

There are many advantages of hiring an attorney to represent your case.  First off, simply having an attorney improves your chances of settling your case before it even goes to trial. If you have an attorney who is respected and considered trustworthy, it can provide your case with more leverage when facing other opponents. This is because they have many attorneys have specialized knowledge as well as helpful experience that can be used to create a more effective strategy to resolving your case.  On top of that, when you hire an attorney, you also hire his support investigative team, who works to provide you valuable information for your case.  By doing all of this, Los Angeles attorneys can protect your legal rights and make the case into a winning one by working hard to sure that your interests are always protected. 

There are many legal issues that become much easier with the help of Los Angeles attorneys. California’s courts and laws can be very complex and difficult to maneuver around, so without the proper education it can be difficult to follow laws and procedures correctly. Even if you gain the sympathy of a judge, the resolution of the case can still be delayed when you try to represent yourself. Sometimes, small procedural errors can severely damage your case and in the worst case, result in the case being thrown out due to procedural errors. In many legal cases, the most efficient way to protect your rights is to hire an attorney to help you.  Some situations where hiring Los Angeles attorneys is a good idea include:

• Being threatened with a lawsuit or being involved in a lawsuit

• Being charged, questioned, or arrested by a law enforcement officer

• Family law issues such as child support, custody, paternity, divorce, or adoption issues

• Real estate property transactions involving houses or businesses

• Being involved in accidents that resulted in property damage or personal injury

• Setting up, operating, or dissolving a business entity 

• Tax or financial problems like tax fraud or bankruptcy

• Preparing a will or estate plan 

• Employment disputes, like harassment, work place safety violations, or discrimination

• Signing significant contracts

If your case requires an attorney, you can start searching for the one who will help your case.  There are many ways to start your search to find the best Los Angeles attorneys. One of the easiest ways to begin is by asking people for any recommendation for helpful attorneys. Try asking the following people for referrals for Los Angeles attorneys:

• Friends, families, and colleagues who had similar cases

• Friends or family who either have a connection at the court or work at a court

• Local association for attorneys

• Professionals including social workers, your union leaders, your boss, certified public accountants, real estate agents, or bankers

You can also look for Los Angeles attorneys by searching on online attorney directories that provide listings of experienced Los Angeles attorneys that you can look through. These directories are often quality assured to provide great potential attorneys. The attorneys listed also provide information about themselves, including their specialty, geographic location, experience, cost, and more. The sites will also often provide reviews from former clients describing the quality of the attorney’s services.

When picking out the best Los Angeles attorneys for your case, look for those who have experience handling cases that were similar in nature. While other less experienced and less expensive attorneys may also provide their services, those with more experience expensive often have the more qualifications and are better suited for more complex cases. In order to ensure that your attorney as the background qualifications necessary, make attorney has the following:

• Previous successful cases that are similar

• Specialized knowledge or helpful advance law degrees or continuing education courses

• References from former clients that describe how effective the attorney was 

• Membership and good standing with the State Bar of California as well as the American Bar Association

After making a list of possible Los Angeles attorneys, you should meet up with each one individually in a consultation to discuss your legal case. During the consultation, the attorneys will try to explain the legal issues of your case, and give you more information about the case such as what he or she expects the outcome of the case to be, the cost, time, and money needed, and what other options you have. After talking about the case, you should be prepared to ask questions about the attorney’s legal careers, such as the following: 

• Do you have any relevant experience in this field of law? It is your specialty?

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

• Have you earned any advance degrees, or do you have any continuing education or special knowledge that would help you in my case?

• Will you work on this personally, or will it be taken up by another member of your staff?

It is important to discuss all fees costs of hiring the attorney at the first meeting. Some fees that may be discussed include consultation fees, statutory fees, retainer fees, referral fees, hourly rate fees, contingency fees, and flat fees.

The cost of an attorney’s services only covers certain expenses. You should make sure to come to an agreement with your attorney regarding what costs are included before agreeing to hire an attorney. Some expenses that are usually included are:

• Delivery of related legal documents 

• Court costs and filing fees

• Deposition, consultants, and expert witnesses’ costs

• Costs of long distance phone charges, fax and postage charges, and photocopying costs

• Secretarial and paralegal staff time

• Some reasonable travel, transportation expenses, and out-of town meals

You should also ask for estimated and a written estimate. Additionally, find out how any unforeseen circumstances can affect charges, whether some work may be billed at lower rates, how contingency cases work, what is the frequently billing occurs, and how expenses are totaled. 

Miami lawyers are very helpful if you have any legal issues that cannot be solved easily or if they involve large amounts of money. Miami attorneys not only provide legal information, but they also give helpful advice and use their technical legal skills to assist in your concerns. You can usually find Miami attorneys who are more than happy give serve as legal guidance to help your case and will avoid taking control as formal counsel when there is no other option but to do so. A qualified attorney can make it easier for you to understand the rules and procedures of different issues such as getting divorces, drafting wills or trusts, probate law, avoiding bankruptcy, business negotiations, adoption, and much more.

There are many different legal issues in Miami that require the assistance of Miami attorneys. Without them, it is nearly impossible to quickly or easily solve the issue because average citizens are not as well educated on the laws specific to Miami or Florida. Miami attorneys can also be extremely helpful in fixing current legal problems or preventing future ones. 

Miami attorneys can be extremely beneficial in cases regarding where you arrested by Miami law enforcement officers, filing taxes in Florida, personal property damage, injury cases, family law, business formation, employment law, and more. Some of the most common legal issues in Miami include the following:

• Being threatened with a lawsuit or being sued

• Being arrested, charged, or questioned with a crime by a law enforcement officer

• Estate planning: Power of attorney, living wills, trusts, wills, probate

• Injuries and accidents: Personal injury, car accidents, medical malpractice

• Business laws: Collections, contracts, incorporation patents, litigation

• Family law and divorce: Adoption, child support, child custody, divorce

• Employment law: Sexual harassment, discrimination, worker’s compensation, termination

• Real estate law: Landlord-tenant laws, neighbors, foreclosures

Miami attorneys can provide helpful solutions by examining the situation and responding according. While those are very specific and clear examples of when you may require an attorney, there are other times where you may consider hiring one but it does not seem to be necessary. You should still consider hiring Miami attorneys if: 

• You want to receive legal advice 

• You want to appeal your case

• You cannot afford to lose your case 

• You want to start a suit, but you do not know the legal basis or theory for your claim

• You do not understand the legal papers you have received

If you feel you do not need an attorney, you can try to solve your problems without any legal counsel, or pro se, but this is rarely recommended unless your legal issue is very routine and not very important. Most of the time, pro se cases not successful and can even be thrown due to errors in following procedure. It is not enough to understand the laws pertaining to your case. You have to also be able to follow all the procedures of the court. Failing to do so can cost you the case. If you still want to represent yourself, make sure you can first do the following:

• Understand the basis and foundation of your case and be able to explain your case to a judge

• Speak in a public court room without being nervous

• Stay organized and keep accurate records

• Neatly write or type

• Have the resources (time, money, and effort) for your case

• Manage documentation, conduct legal research and be able to go to court hearings

• Respond to all papers you receive from the opposing party in a timely fashion

• Understand, read, and respond to all papers you get from the Court immediately 

• Comfortably negotiate with the opposing party/attorney

• Make sure no one will argue against your case

• Understand court rules, cases, and state laws

• Speak, read, and write speak English properly

When you choose possible Miami attorneys to represent your case, only consider those who have the right background, education, and professional experience that would suit the case. The best people who can provide Miami attorney referrals are the local Bar Association, business owners, bankers, CPAs, other professionals, co-workers, employers, friends, and family.  You can also look for Miami attorneys by asking for helpful information from client-attorney matching services, prepaid legal service plans, public interest groups, dispute resolution programs, free legal aid agencies, advertisements, and joint advertising groups.

Once you decide on a few different Miami attorneys that may be a good match for your case, you should set up consultations where you can discuss the details of your case and provide records that the attorney can look at and make conclusions about. After discussing your case, you should also interview the attorney to help you decide whether the attorney is experienced enough with the right field of law for your case. Asking an attorney some questions can also help you figure out how you want to approach your case and if that aligns with how the attorney would pursue the case. A consultation is also a great to find out if you are able to easily communicate with the attorney, which is very important when hiring an attorney.  Here are some questions you should ask the attorney during the consultation:

• Do I have any other legal options?

• What do you think will happen in my case?

• Is it worth legally pursuing this case and how long will it take to resolve it?

• How many years of legal experience do you have in this field of law?

• How would you handle my case? 

• Will you be in charge of my case or will a junior associate be taking care of it?

• How do you charge fees?

Miami attorneys base fees on factors like the degree of difficulty of a legal task, the time involved, experience, the attorney’s skill in that particular area of law, and the attorney’s cost of business. The attorney’s cost of doing business, or the overhead, usually includes equipment, salaries, rent, library maintenance, and other costs.

You should always make sure discuss any prospective charges at the very first meeting with the attorney. This is where the client and the attorney should discuss the complexity of the legal issues, the difficulties that will probably be encountered, time anticipated to complete the case. An early agreement regarding fees will prevent any surprises or misunderstandings for both the attorney and the client. 

Florida attorneys are legal representatives who provide legal representation to Floridians in need of aid. Florida attorneys may practice any field of law; because of the expansiveness associated, a Florida attorney may practice in one of the following areas:

• Real Estate law

• Bankruptcy Law

• Business Law

• Business Transactions

• Personal Injury

• Traffic/Driving

• Wills and Estate Planning

• Constitutional Law

• Medical Malpractice

• Worker’s Compensation

• Criminal law

Note: The above list represents just a fraction of the potential areas of practice undertaken by a Florida attorney.  

Florida attorneys exhibit an explicit knowledge regarding the state’s unique laws and statutes. This ability guarantees the delivery of capable aid to Floridians and those entities/individuals facing legal predicaments in the state. 

Florida attorneys expedite the search for legal remedies. To practice law in the state, individuals must obtain a post-graduate degree from an accredited law university or college. Following graduation, the individual must pass the Florida bar examination to secure licensing. An individual may not practice law in Florida prior without passing the bar. 

Florida attorneys represent clients facing legal predicaments that occur within the state’s jurisdictional boundaries or that revolve around Florida law. Because of this, the location of your legal predicament and the attached laws are fundamental when evaluating your need for a Florida attorney.

Because of the breadth associated with the term, Florida attorneys may litigate on behalf of clients involved in any legal situation. Therefore, Florida attorneys may preside over cases in a civil or criminal court, or may facilitate the formation of a business contract or real estate purchase. 

When gauging the need for Florida attorneys you must identify the scope of law that your case revolves around. The ability to pinpoint the attached scope of law is essential; incorporating a specialist into your case will provide more efficacies to your quest for a resolution. 

Before hiring a specialist, you must first identify the laws surrounding your legal problem and develop an expected course of action or legal strategy. After doing this, you may begin your search for a legal specialist. Failing to incorporate a legal specialist in your case will prevent you from developing a sound defense or claim. If you are filing a personal injury suit, it is suggested that you hire a personal injury lawyer—matching the specifics of your case with a specialist will streamline the development of an effective claim. 

To effectively search for Florida attorneys you must utilize the following resources: 

1. After you have identified the desired form of legal representation, you must conduct Internet searches to locate all Florida specialists in your geographic region. Perform GOOGLE searches, including the field of law plus the term “lawyer” or “attorney” and your location to compile a list of all applicable representation in your area.   

2. Aside from Internet searches, you should also access a lawyer referral service. This database, which is provided by the Florida’s bar association, will organize Florida attorneys by field of practice. The referral service will only list licensed legal professionals.  

3. When you have recorded a list of prospective legal help, you must cross-reference the individuals by visiting internet forums for client testimonials. These resources provide first-hand accounts—from Florida attorneys past clients—documenting how the legal professional handled a previous legal matter. 

4. After you have gathered more information on the prospective Florida attorneys, you must observe the individual’s biographical information, located on their respective firm’s website. This illuminates each representative’s scholastic achievements, case history and experience.  

When you have compiled a list of a few prospective Florida attorneys, you must contact each legal professional to schedule consultations. The cost of these preliminary meetings will vary and are dependent on the scope of law the individual practices. In the bulk of instances, civil Florida attorneys will provide free consultations, whereas criminal Florida attorneys will not. This contrast is found in the attorney’s payment schedules—civil attorneys operate under contingency platforms (they only take cases that have a strong probability of winning). 

Consultations provide prospective clients with a preview of the Florida attorney’s abilities and outlook regarding the case. Consultations illuminate a Florida attorney’s legal strategy. During this preliminary meeting you should observe the following behaviors and characteristics: 

1. Does the Florida attorney listen well? 

2. Does the Florida attorney seem to care about your legal predicament?

3. Does the Florida Attorney exhibit behavioral patterns that denote an interest in developing a strong case for you? 

4. Does the Florida attorney elucidate the particulars of your case, including the laws in question? Is this information easy to understand?

5. Is the Florida attorney affable? Do you feel comfortable with the individual? Is the conversation seamless? 

6. Aside from observing the individual, you must also take notice of the attorney’s staff.  Are they professional? Do they treat you with respect?

These observations, although crucial when hiring a Florida attorney, are trumped by the lawyer’s experience. 

Experience represents signifies the legal professional’s grasp of the legal framework, his/her comfort level in said filings, his/her reputability, and in general, the aptitude to construct a capable defense or claim.  

Before hiring a legal professional, you must go over the counsel’s payment agreement. During the consultation, you should request a copy of the Florida attorney’s payment plan or retainer agreement.

In most instances, Florida attorneys will operate under one of the following payment plans: Hourly (the Florida attorney charges hourly for services rendered); contingency (the Florida attorney charges a percentage of the civil settlement if one is attained); or retainer agreements (a lump sum is charged before the Florida attorney litigates and acts as a separate account to fulfill payments for services rendered).

A North Dakota attorney is a specialized legal professional who is licensed to practice law and litigate on behalf of clients in the state of North Dakota. North Dakota attorneys may specialize in any field of law within the local or federal scope. 

North Dakota attorneys employ an advanced knowledge for the state’s particular legal system; this knowledge guarantees the distribution of competent representation to residents of the state or to those seeking protection for a legal problem that occurred in the state.  

North Dakota attorneys are ruled eligible to litigate in the state after they secure licensing. To secure a license to practice, a North Dakota attorney must attain a post-graduate law degree from an accredited law school, and then pass the state’s bar examination.  

Through the obtainment of a law license, North Dakota attorneys are deemed willing and able to litigate for their clients. The familiarity with North Dakota laws enables these professionals to expedite the search for legal remedies, coordinate and construct legally-binding contracts and preside over legal matters. Legal matters that penetrate or include North Dakota laws or statutes require the inclusion of a North Dakota attorney.

North Dakota attorneys preside over all legal matters that take place within the state’s jurisdictional boundaries. The location of the quandary and the laws revolving around the problem are fundamental when assessing your need for hiring North Dakota attorneys. Moreover, you should also develop a cost-benefit analysis when determining your need for a North Dakota attorney. In most instances, if you can settle out of court, you should—avoiding court fees and costs associated with representation is always recommended. 

After you have reviewed your financial position and have weighed the costs/benefits of hiring a North Dakota attorney, you should pinpoint the expected legal strategy and the laws surrounding your case.  By isolating the laws of your case, you will be able to filter your search for North Dakota Attorneys. If you choose to hire a lawyer you must hire a specialist. Hiring a North Dakota attorney who specializes in the crux of your legal problem, will ensure the construction of a suitable claim or defense. 

To build a case, you must hire a specialist. A North Dakota specialist is a term that refers to a legal professional who practices within a particular scope of law. To hire a specialist, you must isolate the laws of your case. For example, if you were injured by a consumer product and are seeking compensation from the manufacturer’s negligence, you must hire a North Dakota a consumer product attorney or personal injury lawyer. 

When searching for a North Dakota attorney, you must utilize the following resources:

1. When you have identified the type of North Dakota attorney you need, you must conduct Internet searches to locate qualified North Dakota attorneys in your region.  

2. Once you have obtained a list of representation, conduct personal searches to review peer review services and internet reviews for each individual. These resources are vital evaluation methods; they are recommended to gauge the experience and ability of the prospective counsel.

3. After tightening your list (you should eliminate prospects based on reviews and testimonials), you should inspect each attorney’s biographical information; these profiles will reveal the individual’s years of service and their educational background. 

After you have narrowed your search down to a few prospective North Dakota attorneys, you must schedule consultations with the remaining choices. The availability and cost of these preliminary meetings will fluctuate based on the particular case and the individual’s area of expertise. For instance, the majority of civil attorneys—who operate on a contingency schedule–will offer free consultations, where they will decide whether or not to take the case. Note: a civil North Dakota lawyer will only preside over cases that are likely to secure settlements. 

When meeting with a North Dakota attorney you must observe and ask yourself the following questions: 

1. Is the North Dakota attorney attentive? 

2. Does the North Dakota attorney care about my situation or my well-being? 

3. Does the prospective North Dakota attorney make you feel comfortable? 

4. Does the individual instill confidence your case will be presided over in an efficient manner? 

5. Can the individual explain your case and laws in a lucid manner?

6. You must observe the individual’s staff and/or firm. The bulk of North Dakota attorneys are flooded with casework, prompting a delegation of projects to staff. Because of this, it is required to observe the representative’s office. 

7. Is the North Dakota’s staff courteous and professional? These evaluations, although necessary, are trumped by the individual’s experience. 

These observations, although important, should take a back seat to experience. 

Experience is the most significant variable when evaluating North Dakota attorneys; experience denotes reputability, knowledge of the legal framework and the ability to develop a sound legal claim or defense. 

North Dakota attorneys are expensive. Before hiring a North Dakota attorney, you should request a copy of their pay schedule. In the majority of situations, North Dakota attorneys will operate under one of following pay scales: they will charge hourly for services rendered; they will operate under a contingency basis (the attorney will charge a flat fee of a civil settlement if one is secured); retainer fee (a lump sum is charged before the lawyer takes the case). 

North Carolina attorneys are legal professionals who represent clients in the state of North Carolina. North Carolina attorneys will litigate in the state’s court system for residents of the state or for individuals who run into legal problems within the state’s boundaries.  North Carolina attorneys, as a result of this breadth, may practice any scope of law and may preside over any legal matter as it pertains to the state’s laws. 

North Carolina attorneys utilize a specific knowledge concerning the state’s laws and statutes. This localized experience ensures the delivery of sound legal aid to clients in need.     

To practice law in North Carolina, one must attain a degree from a law school and subsequently pass North Carolina’s bar examination. This license signifies an advanced understanding of state law and the ability to expedite the search for a legal remedy.  

A North Carolina attorney will represent clients that face legal problems in the state. As a result of this scope, a North Carolina attorney will preside over a client for any transgression or claim filed in North Carolina. Moreover, North Carolina attorneys also facilitate the formation of contracts, family law matters and any business deal that requires the parties to adhere to the state’s business laws.

Because a North Carolina attorney can represent a client involved in any legal matter, it is crucial to identify the laws surrounding your matter. By doing this you will be able to match an experienced specialist to the particulars of your case. This effort will ensure the delivery of a streamlined filing.

It is imperative to match a legal representative’s expertise with the subject of your case. For example, if you are filing a personal injury claim, you should hire a personal injury lawyer. Hiring a legal professional who specializes in a particular legal framework will guarantee the construction of a sound defense or claim. 

Before conducting a search for a specialist, you must identify your expected course of legal action and the laws that surround your case. When you begin the search for North Carolina Attorneys, you must employ a variety of resources, including the Internet, forums, client testimonials, referral services and the state’s bar association.

1. The first step to finding North Carolina attorneys requires you to conduct Internet searches that are specific to your geographic location. 

2. When you have compiled a list, visit internet forums and testimonials concerning each individual— these resources are located by searching the name of the lawyer plus the word “review” or “witness testimonials.”

3. After you have observed testimonials, you should visit each attorney’s website to view their biographical information. These profiles will disclose the person’s educational background and experience. 

After you have compiled a list of prospective North Carolina attorneys, you should contact each professional to schedule consultations.  The availability and price of a consultation will vary based on the type of law your matter revolves around. Typically, a civil North Carolina attorney (particularly those involved with personal injury law) will provide free consultations. 

Consultations will offer a glimpse of how the professional will litigate. Moreover, consultations will provide a preview of the counsel’s personality. During the consultation, you should ask yourself—and subsequently–observe the following questions:

1. Does the North Carolina attorney listen to me? 

2. Does the North Carolina attorney seem to care about me and my legal matter?

3. Does the North Carolina attorney explain my legal situation and the surrounding laws in an articulate—yet easy to understand– manner?

4. Does the North Carolina attorney explain the details—and laws—surrounding my case and how they apply to my situation?

5. Does the North Carolina attorney’s staff handle their business in a professional and courteous manner?

6. Are you comfortable with the North Carolina attorney? You able to communicate with the individual? When meeting with these professionals it is very important that you hire an individual whom you feel comfortable with. It is important that you express all the details regarding your case.

These questions and observations are essential to formulate a review for representation. In addition to these characteristics, you must evaluate the individual’s experience. Typically, the more experienced an individual is, the more efficient they will be at developing a sound case or defense. Furthermore, experience denotes a stronger grasp for the legal framework and an aura of reputability.  

The fees associated with legal representation will vary based on the type of North Carolina attorney presiding over the case. The following fee schedules will be charged by North Carolina attorneys:

Consultation Fees: A North Carolina Attorney under this schedule will charge an hourly or fixed fee for a preliminary meeting. During this meeting the prospective attorney will determine whether he/she will take your case. Criminal North Carolina attorneys will not provide free consultations. 

Contingency Fees: In this payment schedule, North Carolina attorney will charge fees based on a percentage of the settlement. If a settlement is not obtained, a lawyer will not be delivered a fee—in this setting you will still be required to pay legal fees. 

Flat Fees:  A North Carolina attorney, under this schedule, will charge a one-time fee. Flat fees are offered if the case is routine or straightforward.

Hourly Rate:  A North Carolina attorney will charge hourly for services rendered. This is the most common fee schedule. 

Retainer Fees: North Carolina attorneys operating under this schedule will require the delivery of a set fee before services are provided. The retainer is a down payment against which future costs will be billed. The amount is placed in a distinct account and the cost of services is subtracted from the account as they accumulate. 

When facing a legal issue, you may wonder if it is your best interests to hire a local lawyer over large national law firms or cheaper out of state options.  There are a number of good reasons to have the services of an experienced local lawyer.  For instance, when dealing with a legal issue in Seattle, a Seattle attorney will be the most knowledgeable and experienced professional that can handle the distinct challenges in interpreting state and local legal codes.  You will have the benefit of having the case proceed in your local jurisdiction and you will have an easier time contact and meeting with your Seattle attorney.

Local municipalities tend to set their own laws on a number of issues, such as the carry and discharge of firearms.  The state of Washington, which explicitly protects the right to bear arms in the state constitution and the city of Seattle that attempted to ban guns within city limits.  The Seattle ban was overturned as the state held the right to preempt local laws on firearms.  This battle is just one example of intersecting state and local laws contradicting with each other as well as an example of how Seattle law might differ from the laws in the rest of the state.  For this reason, it is in your best interest to have the services of Seattle attorneys when dealing with legal matters in Seattle.

All Seattle attorneys will be members of the Washington State Bar Association.  WSBA has been an integrated bar since 1933 and is administered by the State Supreme Court as a regulatory body for lawyers.  All Seattle attorneys are admitted, licensed and disciplined through the WSBA.  There are practice sections for specialized lawyers, such as family law and criminal law as well as competitively priced Continuing Legal Education (CLE) classes to keep Seattle Attorneys up to date and informed on critical ethical and legal issues.  The WSBA also provides a number of professional services, including an ADR service to resolve fee disputes, a lawyer assistance program to help lawyers with substance abuse and stress problems and mentoring for young lawyers.  There is also an ethics line to provide ethical advice for Seattle attorneys that require assistance.

In addition to the WSBA, there is the King County Bar Associations.  King County is the part of Washington State where Seattle is located.  In addition to professional networking, among the more important features of this Bar Association is its lawyer referral service.  The WSBA does not provide a referral service, opting to leave that function to county and regional referral services.  The King County Bar Association also encourages pro bono service and can link those individuals that may require free legal to a lawyer that will be able to assist them.  This is separate from the lawyer referral service.

The Washington State Bar Association is the fastest and easiest way to verify the credentials of your lawyer.  Lawyer records are public and you will be able to ascertain the legitimacy of your Seattle lawyer.  You will be able to find all Seattle Lawyers in the directory.  Membership is mandatory in the Washington State Bar and any Seattle attorney who is not a member is not licensed to practice law in Washington.  

Also, look for a history of legal malpractice cases against the lawyer, as this may be indicative of a larger problem the lawyer has with clients, even if the lawsuits were not successful.  The disciplinary record is important when researching a potential lawyer to represent you.

The Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection is a fund administered by the WSBA that compensates clients for potential fraud and other breach of fiduciary duty by the Seattle attorney.  This will provide you with some peace of mind when dealing with a lawyer.  Still, be sure that you understand all arrangements you make with the Seattle attorney and get the fee agreement in writing.  You will invariably have to submit irrefutable proof before you can expect to collect from the client security fund.

The King County Bar maintains a Lawyer Referral Service that will charge potential clients no more than a $45 referral fee for an initial consultation with a Seattle lawyer.  This fee is reduced to a $10 processing fee for personal injury, criminal defense and worker’s compensation cases.  SSI/SSDI appeal cases are not charged for referrals.  You may receive up to three consultations through your fee.  You may apply electronically or call the service directly.  This service is backed by the American Bar Association.

The King County Bar Foundation provides pro bono services and legal clinics for low income Seattle residents.  Those that cannot afford typical legal representation should contact this foundation to determine if they qualify for pro bono services.  The legal clinics are neighborhood based and can dispense some legal advice that may suit the needs of some Seattle residents.  There is also a separate Housing Justice Project that provides legal services for families that may become homeless without proper legal representation.

You may use this website to find an attorney.  To do so, use the search box on top of all pages.  You may also compare attorneys and ask free questions by clicking Find Attorneys on top of the page.

Factors affecting the Seattle attorney rates are the lawyer’s experience, expertise, service provided and location.  

For malpractice, personal injury or accident cases, a Seattle attorney will usually work on contingency, unless the client indicates otherwise.  Contingency arrangements will have the Seattle attorney collect a percentage fee of the eventually jury award or settlement.  Contingency fees may be limited by law or court decision.

There may still be fees for the initial consultation and court costs.  Additionally, you may be able to receive legal services from Seattle attorneys in unbundled or in flat fees.  In that way, you pay only for the services you need.

How does my case relate to Washington state and local laws?

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

Can I please have all fees in writing?

Are you an active member, in good standing, of the Washington State Bar Association?

What roles do you play as a member?

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

Can you refer me to another lawyer if you are unable to take my case?

When faced with many options for hiring a lawyer, a Washington attorney is a sound decision for dealing with a legal issue within the state.  The interaction between state and local laws is distinct and there are many statewide statutes that may affect your case.  Trusting large, out of state law firms with your legal issues can be risky, especially when considering the dangers of claims in advertising and the risk that the large out of state firm will not be aware or interested of distinctions in the state laws that can work in your favor.  A Washington attorney will generally be able to provide you with individualized attention as well as ease of communications and knowledge of the state legal code.  

Bankruptcy exemptions are one example of how laws vary from state to state.  Most states, including Washington allow for federal and state exemptions to be used in conjunction, necessitating a Washington attorney to handle your bankruptcy filing.  The Washington Homestead exemption is $40,000 or unlimited if attempting to discharge debts for unpaid taxes on retirement benefits.  This is significantly different that other state exemptions.  Personal property exemptions include clothing, luxury items up to $1,000, motor vehicles for an individual up to $2,500, food and fuel, health aids and keepsakes.  Most insurance, municipal pensions and public benefits will be exempt from the bankruptcy judgment.  There is also a special “wild card” exemption that exempts $2,000 of personal property from the judgment.

All Washington attorneys will be members of the Washington State Bar Association.  WSBA has been an integrated bar since 1933 and is administered by the State Supreme Court as a regulatory body for lawyers.  All Washington attorneys are admitted, licensed and disciplined through the WSBA.  

Among the benefits for Washington attorneys, there are practice sections for specialized lawyers Continuing Legal Education (CLE) classes that are priced to not compete with local and private CLE providers.  

Like most bar associations, the WSBA also provides services such as ethics opinions, fee dispute resolution and a client protection fund in case of malpractice.  There is also a lawyer assistance program to help members that face personal crisis that affect their professional practice.  Those Washington attorneys with substance abuse and stress issues can use the services of this program.

The Washington State Bar Association is the fastest and easiest way to verify the credentials of your lawyer.  Lawyer records are public and you will be able to ascertain the legitimacy of your Washington lawyer.  You will be able to find all Seattle Lawyers in the directory.  Membership is mandatory in the Washington State Bar and any Washington attorney who is not a member is not licensed to practice law in Washington.  

Also, look for a history of legal malpractice cases against the lawyer, as this may be indicative of a larger problem the lawyer has with clients, even if the lawsuits were not successful.  The disciplinary record is important when researching a potential lawyer to represent you.

The Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection is a fund administered by the WSBA that compensates clients for potential fraud and other breach of fiduciary duty by the Seattle attorney.  This will provide you with some peace of mind when dealing with a lawyer.  Still, be sure that you understand all arrangements you make with the Seattle attorney and get the fee agreement in writing.  You will invariably have to submit irrefutable proof before you can expect to collect from the client security fund.

The WSBA does not have its own lawyer referral service.  Instead, those that need to find a Washington attorney will have to contact the following services or organizations:

– Seattle (King County) – King County Bar Association

– Spokane – Spokane County Bar Association

– Tacoma (Pierce County) – Spokane County Bar Association

– Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, Wahkiakum Counties – Southwest Washington Lawyer Referral Service

The King County Lawyer Referral Service is certified by the ABA as a trusted referral service.  You can be assured that these services will be low cost and vet their lawyers properly before referring them to potential clients.

Low income clients that require pro bono or reduced fee legal services may contact CLEAR, which is Washington’s intake, advice and referral service.  It is toll free and easy to use and can help facilitate legal services to needy Washington residents.  There are additional volunteer attorneys available to provide legal aid for home foreclosures.

You may use this website to find an attorney.  To do so, use the search box on top of all pages.  You may also compare attorneys and ask free questions by clicking Find Attorneys on top of the page.

Factors affecting the Washington attorney rates are the lawyer’s experience, expertise, service provided and location.  

For malpractice, personal injury or accident cases, a Washington attorney will usually work on contingency, unless the client indicates otherwise.  Contingency arrangements will have the Washington attorney collect a percentage fee of the eventually jury award or settlement.  Contingency fees may be limited by law or court decision.

There may still be fees for the initial consultation and court costs.  Additionally, you may be able to receive legal services from Seattle attorneys in unbundled or in flat fees.  In that way, you pay only for the services you need.

How does my case relate to Washington state and local laws?

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

Can I please have all fees in writing?

Are you an active member, in good standing, of the Washington State Bar Association?

What roles do you play as a member?

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

Can you refer me to another lawyer if you are unable to take my case?

Colorado Attorneys are  lawyers who are permitted to practice within the State of Colorado because either he or she is barred within the State of Colorado or is barred in another State but has been given special permission from the court to practice in Colorado for a brief period of time, usually for a specific proceeding, this is called pro hoc vice.

In order to become a Colorado Attorney an individual must meet a number of requirements; these include educational requirements as well as ethical requirements.  The first step is that a Colorado  Attorney must have his, or her, bachelors degree from an accredited college or University.  After that an individual must be accepted and graduate from an accredited law school or meet any of the alternative requirements set by the Colorado Bar Association.  

After graduating from an accredited law school a Colorado Attorney candidate must take and pass that Colorado Bar Exam.  The Colorado Bar Exam is a two day exam that is administered by the Colorado Bar Examiners Office.  The first day consists of 9 essay questions and 2 Multi-State Performance Tests.  The 9 essay questions are prepared by the Colorado board of Bar Examiners and are based solely on Colorado law.   The Multi-State Performance Test is a 90 minute test that gauges an applicants ability to take evidence and substantive law and write a persuasive memos or briefs.  The second day of the Colorado Bar Exam is the Multi-State Bar Exam.  The MBE is a 200 multiple choice examination administered by the National Board of Bar Examiners.   The passing rate for the Colorado Bar Exam is around 73%.  

In addition to the substantive requirements proving the educational experience of the candidate a Colorado Attorney must also represent the ethical and moral standards of the legal profession.  The candidate must take and pass the Multi-State Performance Exam with a score of 85.  In addition, the Colorado Attorney candidate must also complete a character and fitness application including background information, criminal record checks and financial reports that will be analyzed by the Colorado Bar Association.

Colorado Attorneys practice in three different types of trial courts within the State of Colorado.  These are the District courts, the County courts and the Water courts.  The district courts in the State of Colorado hear civil cases involving any amount, domestic violence cases, criminal cases, juvenile cases and probate cases.  The County courts are able to hear civil cases where the amount in question is less than $15,000, all misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and felony complaints.  Judgments from the County courts are immediately appealable to the district courts.  Water courts in the State of Colorado hear all cases involving water rights.  There are 7 water courts in the State of Colorado that are located in each of Colorado’s river basins.

If you are looking for a Colorado Attorney you can take many routes.  You can perform a simple internet search to find information on Colorado Attorneys near you that practice in the area of law where you need representation.  Most Colorado Attorneys have their own websites that give valuable information about the Colorado Attorneys education, experience, and results.  

You can also take advantage of a referral service.  The Colorado Bar Association does not operate a Colorado Attorney Referral service but it does have direct links to a number of referral services within the State of Colorado.  Two of the most respected are the Metropolitan Lawyer Referral Service and the El Paso County Lawyer Referral.  The first referral service can be contacted at 877-283-8145.  The Metropolitan referral service will cost $75 for a 30 minute consultation.  The El Paso County Lawyer Referral service will cost $40 for a 30 minute consultation.  

This website also has a lawyer referral service if you are having trouble finding representation in your area.  By going to the top of this page and clicking on the “find a lawyer” link you will  be directed to input specific data including your contact information, a brief description of your legal problem and your specific location.  At that point a representative from laws.com will contact you about an attorney in your area who will be able to help you with your legal problem.  

If you need a Colorado Attorney but you cannot afford one then you may have some options.  There are a number of legal aid services in the State of Colorado that will be able to help you.  By going to the Colorado Bar Association’s website you will find links to: Colorado Legal Services; Colorado Pro Bono; Metro Volunteer Lawyers; and CBA’s Appellate Pro Bono Program.   Thes legal aid services will not be able to help you with finding a criminal lawyer.  As per the 5th Amendment you are automatically appointed a criminal Colorado attorney to defend you in criminal matters.  In order to qualify for Colorado attorneys through legal aid you must have an annual salary no more than 125% of the national poverty level.

An Arizona Attorney is a lawyer who is barred and in good standing in the State of Arizona.  An Arizona attorney represents clients in all kinds of legal matters.  Criminal Arizona Attorneys will represent individuals charge with crimes originating in the State of Arizona whether they be misdemeanors, felonies, DUI, traffic violations or violations of local ordinances.  Civil Arizona Attorneys represent their clients in actions where the cause of action for a tort, contract or other matter involving damages, injunctions, or other form or relief are at issue.  Arizona Attorneys who focus on civil law will represent clients who are involved in  personal injury, contracts, real estate, landlord/tenant, wills and trusts, corporate law and many others.  

In order to practice law within the State of Arizona an Arizona Attorney must be barred in the State of Arizona, be in good standing and meet the disciplinary requirements of the Arizona Bar Association.

The first requirement is that the Arizona Attorney have a bachelors degree from a college or university either in the United States or an accredited University abroad.  In addition, a Arizona Attorney applicant must be a graduate of an accredited law school or meet any of the alternate eligibility requirements allowed by the Arizona Board of Bar Examiners.  Once an applicant has graduated from law school he, or she, must pass the Arizona Bar Exam.  The Arizona Bar Exam is a two day examination. The first day is comprised of 6 essay questions based exclusively on Arizona law.  The first day also includes 2 Multi State Performance Tests.  The MPT exam is an test that gauges an applicants ability to take evidence and, both statutory and common law, and create a persuasive memo or brief discussing the legal issue.   The second day of the Arizona Bar Exam is the Multi-State Bar Exam.  The MBE is a nationwide exam consisting of 200 multiple choice questions written and administered by the National Bar Association.  The average passing rate for the Arizona Bar Exam is around 71%.   In addition, an applicant must take the MPRE and get a passing score of 80.

The Arizona state court system is comprised of three levels of courts.  There are 3 types of trial courts consisting of the municipal courts, the justice of the peace courts, and the superior courts.  Appeals from those matters are brought in the Court of Appeals for the State of Arizona and the Arizona Supreme Court is the highest court in the State.

The municipal courts in Arizona are also known as the city courts or the magistrate courts.  They hear criminal matters involving misdemeanors and petty offenses in the municipality.  The municipal courts have concurrent jurisdiction with the justice of the peace courts over violations of State laws and also have jurisdiction over DUI, hit & runs and reckless driving.  The municipal courts do not hear civil suits.

The Justices of the Peace Courts comprise a larger jurisdiction than the municipal courts and are larger than a town but usually smaller than a county.  The Justices of the Peace Courts hear traffic cases, certain criminal cases; and civil matters where the amount in question is less than $10,000.  The Justices of the Peace Courts also have concurrent jurisdiction with the Superior courts to hear landlord/tenant matters where the damages are between $5,000 and $10,000.  The Justices of the Peace Courts also hear misdemeanors, assault & battery, preliminary felony matters, and criminal offenses where the maximum penalty is greater than 6 months in jail or greater than a $2,500 fine.  

The Superior court has one location in each county and hears all felony cases and some misdemeanor cases concurrently with the Justices of the Peace Courts.  The Superior Courts also hear civil matters where the amount in question is greater than $10,000, evictions, probate, divorces and naturalization.

If you are looking for Arizona Attorneys you have many options to you.  The easiest way is by looking though an internet search, asking friends or co-workers, looking through newspapers, magazines and other publications.  Almost every Arizona Attorney has a website that will detail their experience, education, victories, any specialities, and their areas of practice.  Although this is a good start, the information about the Arizona Attorney that you will find through this method will be positive and is unlikely to show an disfavorable information about the Arizona Attorney.  

Aside from looking on your own you may also want to take advantage of a referral service.  The Arizona Bar Association does not operate its own referral service but most of the Arizona County and Local bar associations operate referral services.  

Maricopa County, the home of Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona has a referral service at www.maricopalawyers.org.  You have two options when accessing the service. You can call directly at 602-257-4434 to speak to a representative or you can fill out the referral form by clicking on the link at the right of the page.  A representative from the Maricopa County Referral service will then get in touch with you about finding an Arizona Attorney to represent you in that particular county.  

One other option in seeking an Arizona Attorney is to use the lawyer referral service at laws.com.  Laws.com operates a valuable referral service where, just by inputting your basic contact information and a brief description of your problem a representative from laws.com will be able get you in touch with an Arizona Attorney who will be able to help you with your legal problem.

When you are meeting with Arizona Attorneys you will want to ask a number of questions regarding the Arizona Attorneys ability to represent you.  You should sit back and make a long list of questions that you have and what aspects of an Arizona Attorney will be important to you.  Here are just a few examples of questions you should ask a potential Arizona Attorney before agreeing to representation.

■ Where did you go to law school?

■ How long have you been practicing in Arizona?

■ Have you ever been disciplined by any bar association?

■ What areas of law do you practice in?

■ What percentage of these cases are in the area I need help in?

■ Who in your firm will be handling my case?

■ What is the main issue in my case?

■ What do you see as the result?

 

Alabama Attorneys are those lawyers that have passed the Alabama Bar Exam and are licensed, and in good standing, in the State of Alabama and capable of practicing law within the State of Alabama.  Alabama Attorneys represent clients in both criminal and civil matters that are argued in any State court proceeding within Alabama.

In order to practice law within the State of Alabama and be considered an Alabama Attorney an individual must be barred within the State of Alabama as well as meet the ethical and moral standards of the Alabama Bar Association.  

To be able to sit for the Alabama Bar Exam an individual must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized University.  The school need not be within the United States but must be recognized as an established University.  In addition, an applicant to sit for the Alabama Bar Examination must have graduated from an accredited law school from within the United States or met one of the other options that are outlined in the Alabama Bar Examiners Office handbook.  

The Alabama Bar Exam is a 3 day exam.  The first two days are comprised of the Multi-State Essay Exam, The Multi-State Performance Exam and The Alabama State Essay Exam.  The third day of the Alabama Bar Exam consists of the Multi-State Bar exam.  A passing score on the Alabama Bar Examination is a 128 scaled score.  The Alabama Bar Exam is administered twice a year, once in February and again in July.  The passage rate for the July exam is around 73% and the passing rate for the February exam is around 50%.  This is not necessarily because the February Exam is more difficult but rather because the February exam consists mostly of individuals who took the July exam and did not pass.

When an individual is an Alabama Attorney he, or she, must be familiar with the Alabama court systerm.  There are 3 main types of courts in the Alabama Court System; the District Courts, the Municipal Courts; and the Circuit Courts.

There are 273 Municipal Courts in the State of Alabama.  These courts handle probate matters, and offences involving violations of municipal ordinances, DUI and DWI, and traffic violations.  

There are 67 District courts in the Alabama judicial system.  The district courts hear all small claims and misdemeanor violations.  The district courts also have exclusive jurisdiction involving civil matters where the amount in question is less than $3,000.  For those civil matters where the amount in question is between $3,000 and $10,000 the district courts have concurrent jurisdiction with the Alabama Circuit Courts.

There are 41 Circuit courts in the State of Alabama.  These courts handle all juvenile and domestic violence cases.  They also have exclusive jurisdiction in all felonies and civil claims where the amount in question is more than $10,000.  The Circuit courts have concurrent jurisdiction with the District courts in matters involving DUI, misdemeanors and those civil matters where the amount in question is between $3,000 and $10,000.

Once cases move past any of these three courts they may be brought to either the Court of Criminal Appeals of the Court of Civil Appeals.  The Court of Criminal Appeals hears all matters involving an appeal of a misdemeanor or felony;  the court of Civil appeals hears all appeals where the amount in question is less than $50,000.  The Supreme Court of Alabama is the highest court in the State where an Alabama Attorney will practice.  The Supreme Court of Alabama hears all appeals that go through the Appellate System and also have exclusive jurisdiction in all civil appeals where the amount in question is greater than $50,000.

If you have had a problem with your Alabama attorney then you may want to file a complaint with the Alabama bar association.  Before you attempt to go through with any formal proceeding against your Alabama attorney you should attempt to resolve the matter personally with your Alabama attorney.  Once a formal complaint is filed against your Alabama attorney it may not be repealed.   

If you feel that the only way to deal with the matter is to file a complaint with the Alabama State Bar then you should seek a brochure by contacting the bar association at 334-269-1515.  Once you have filled out a report then your complaint will be reviewed by the Alabama Bar Counsel.  The Counsel will then contact the Alabama attorney involved and ask him, or her, to file an answer.  The complaint process may take between 6 – 18 months for formal charges to go from the preliminary investigative stages to a final outcome.  If your Alabama attorney is found by the Bar Counsel to be in violation of an ethical violation the the Alabama Bar Association may file a number of sanctions ranging from probation, public or private reprimand, suspension or even disbarment.  You can file your complaint by filling out the complaint form at www.alabar.org and mail the written, signed, document to:

Alabama State Bar

Disciplinary Commission

P.O. Box 671

Montgomery, AL 36101-0671

If you are looking for Alabama Attorneys then you will have a number of options available to you.  One simple option is to just do an internet search.  Almost all Alabama Attorneys have their own websites that will describe what their kind of cases they handle, their educational background and experience practicing as an Alabama attorney.

You can also use the referral service at Alabama Bar Association at www.alabar.org.  The  referral  service at the site is the only one that is operated by the Alabama Bar Association.  All Alabama Attorneys that are used in the referral service are barred and in good standing with the Alabama Bar Association.  The referral service may be reached calling 1-800-392-5660 to speak with a representative or by completing the online referral form at www.alabar.org.

The lawyer that you are eventually referred to you will not charge more than $50 for a half hour consultation interview.  

In addition, if you cannot afford a lawyer than you may be able take advantage of free legal aid services in from an Alabama Attorney.  Alabama Attorneys are required to perform a certain amount of pro bono hours per year.  In order to find out if you qualify for free legal aid from Alabama Attorneys you may call 1-866-456-4995 or fill out the form at www.alabar.org.  Even if you do qualify for free legal aid from the Alabama Bar Association cannot help with traffic, criminal or juvenile matters.