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Guide to Finding North Dakota Attorneys

Guide to Finding North Dakota Attorneys

North Dakota Attorneys: Background Information
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.
Do I Need 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. 
Hiring a Specialist:
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. 
Searching for Representation:
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. 
Evaluating North Dakota Attorneys:
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 Attorney’s and Fee Schedules:
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). 

Guide to Finding North Carolina Attorneys

Guide to Finding North Carolina Attorneys

North Carolina Attorneys: Background Information
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.  
Do I Need a North Carolina Attorney?
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.
Hiring a Specialist: 
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. 
How do I Find a North Carolina Attorney:
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.
Follow these steps when searching for a North Carolina Attorneys:
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. 
Evaluating Personality, Experience and Education:
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.  
How much do North Carolina Attorneys Cost? 
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. 

Guide to Finding Seattle Attorneys

Guide to Finding Seattle Attorneys

Where do I find a Seattle attorney?
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.
How are laws unique in Seattle?
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.
What are organizations of Seattle attorneys?
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.
How do I know my Seattle attorney is legitimate?
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.
How do I find a Seattle attorney?
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.
What are the typical rates of a Seattle attorney?
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.
What are questions to ask Seattle attorneys?
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?

Guide to Finding Washington Attorneys

Guide to Finding Washington Attorneys

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.  
How are laws unique in Washington?
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.
What are organizations of Washington attorneys?
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.
How do I know my Washington attorney is legitimate?
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.
How do I find a Washington attorney?
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.
What are the typical rates of a Washington attorney?
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.
What are questions to ask Washington attorneys?
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?

Guide to Finding Colorado Attorneys

Guide to Finding Colorado Attorneys

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.
How do you become a Colorado Attorney?
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.
The Colorado Court System
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.
Finding a Colorado Attorney
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.  
Legal Aid
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.

Guide to Finding South Dakota Attorneys

Guide to Finding South Dakota Attorneys

Do You Need A South Dakota Attorney?
If you have legal issues that involve a large sum of money or is too complex to handle yourself, you may prefer to handle the issue with the assistance of one of many South Dakota attorneys. These attorneys not only provide legal information and counsel, but they also offer strategic advice and sophisticated technical skills against your legal issues. Usually, you can find many South Dakota attorneys who are willing to serve as a legal guidance to help as much as possible and to only take over when formal legal counsel is necessary. It is beneficial to hire South Dakota Attorneys not only because they can assist with legal issues, but also because their professional foresight can help prevent legal issues from coming up in the first place. 
What Can A South Dakota Attorney Help With?
South Dakota attorneys can provide assistance by assessing the legal situation you have and offer information about different options in pursuing your case.  It is ideal to receive preliminary information about the case from multiple South Dakota attorneys in order to find a general opinion about your case and whether or not it will hold up in court as well as if the case is financially or emotionally worthwhile to pursue. This opinion can be a big time and money saver if the case is not worthwhile.
South Dakota attorneys do their job to ensure the best interests of their client by collecting relevant information and records, utilizing a legal strategy suitable for your case, collecting information that is important for your case, filling out the necessary paperwork, and communicating with the opposing party’s counsel. Your attorney will do all of this to protect your legal rights and ensure the best outcome for your case.
Appropriate Cases for a South Dakota Attorney
While it is possible to pursue a case pro se and without an attorney, it is rarely recommended for issues that are not routine or are complicated. Most pro se cases are unsuccessful due to failure to follow correct procedures, which may result in the case being thrown out. South Dakota attorneys can assist in legal situations such as arrest or questioning by South Dakota law enforcement, employment discrimination or harassment, incorporation or formation of a business, family law cases involving contested divorce or child custody, buying or selling real estate, tax issues, accidents involving personal injury and/or property damage, or drafting wills, estate plans, and trusts. 
How to Choose the Right South Dakota Attorney?
If you decide that your case requires the assistance of an attorney, the next step is to find the best one. While there are many South Carolina attorneys to choose from, but you can filter down the options to make it easier for yourself.  The most important thing to remember is that when sorting through the different South Carolina attorneys, you want to find one that is compatible with you and the case. A great way to start your search is by asking for any referrals from businesses, friends, family, other lawyers, or online sources. When using referrals from other individuals, you should ensure that the referrals are based on the attorney’s ability to represent cases that are similar to yours. 
An easy way to narrow down the pool of potential attorneys is by reducing the scope of the geographic location of your search. Many online directories provide search tools to sort through South Carolina attorneys by geographic location. While you should not eliminate attorneys because they inconvenient, there is no point to consider attorneys that are nearly impossible for you to work with because of the location. 
For South Dakota, you can search through South Dakota cities including Deadwood, Custer, Chamberlain, Clear Lake, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, Wagner, Watertown, Gettysburg, Howard, Lemmon, Madison, Miller, Pierre Aberdeen, Britton, and more. You can also sort through various South Dakota counties such as Codington County, Brown County, Pennington County, Mead County, and Minnehaha County.
Meeting with Prospective South Dakota Attorneys
If you decide that you need an attorney to assist you in your legal proceedings, and you have found potential candidates, you must then sort through the attorneys to find the right one based on education, experience, track record, and so on. You should also verify that the attorney is a member the American Bar Association and the South Dakota state bar. Additionally, he or she should have a decent track record that shows success in your type of case and should be able to provide references demonstrating this. You can also ask if the attorney has continued their education in the relevant field.
To figure out who is the right South Dakota attorney for you, meet each potential attorney individually to discuss the specific details of your legal issue. You should also bring along any necessary records or documents that provide relevant information about the case, to help the attorney make a good decision. 
Best Interview Questions to Ask South Dakota Attorneys
After discussing your case with an attorney during a consultation, you should also ask the attorney questions to gauge his or her ability to represent your case. The questions can discuss what the attorney feels is the likely outcome of the case, how many similar cases the attorney has had, what education or knowledge makes the attorney appropriate for this case, the attorney’s success rate, how long the attorney has practiced law in South Dakota, what area of law he or she usually practices, how communication works between the attorney and the client, what sort of clients he or she usually has, who would personally handle the case, what are the costs of the lawsuit, and what other legal options may be available. 
Tax Attorney Fees and Rates
South Dakota attorneys usually have varying costs that rely on different factors such as the legal issue, reputation, experience, record for success, or geographic location. Some lawyers will bill an hourly rate while others may offer flat rates or payment plans, depending on the situations. Depending on the case, an attorney may take on the case on a contingency basis as well. 
It is important to discuss with the fees and charges with the attorney to avoid any misunderstanding or miscommunication about exactly what is charged. This includes discussing how billing works, the costs and rates, what activities are specifically charged for, and attorney’s estimated costs of the case. 

Guide to Finding South Carolina Attorneys

Guide to Finding South Carolina Attorneys

South Carolina attorneys are professionals who practice the law. In order to do so, these attorneys have received degrees from accredited law schools, passed the bar exam for South Carolina, and have received their licenses by South Carolina to practice law within the state. There are numerous legal issues that South Carolina attorneys may be able to assist in if you need help. The benefit of hiring South Carolina attorneys is that they can help with both legal problems that have come up as well as preventing any problems in the first place.
South Carolina attorneys can help you with your problems by assessing the legal issue you have and providing you with information about the options available to you regarding any more legal assistance. It is a good idea to get some preliminary advice about the case from different South Carolina attorneys. By doing so, you can get a consensus opinion about your case and whether or not it will hold up in court or whether it is financially or emotionally worthwhile to pursue the case. If you receive answers that are not what you expected, it would be the time to reconsider whether the case is worthwhile.
South Carolina attorneys also make sure to follow the correct protocols to make sure to complete their jobs and work in your best interest in order to protect your legal rights. South Carolina attorneys do this by successfully by researching the law, collecting needed records, creating and executing a proper legal strategy, finding the right testimony from witnesses, finding expert consultants, completing paperwork and documents, and communicating with opposing party’s counsel in order to guarantee the best outcome for your case.
Although it is possible to pursue a case pro se, or without any legal counsel, doing so is not recommended for legal issues that are complicated or not routine. Most pro se cases do not end well because while a person may be aware of the relevant laws, they may not be as aware of the proper procedures, which can cause the case to be thrown out.
South Carolina attorneys can help in many different legal situations including arrest or questioning by South Carolina state or local law enforcement, accidents involving personal injury and/or property damage, family law cases involving contested divorce or child custody, employment discrimination or harassment, incorporation or formation of a business, buying or selling real estate, tax issues, or drafting wills, estate plans, and trusts. 
Finding the Best South Carolina Attorneys
If you decide that your case requires the assistance of an attorney, the next step is to find the best one. This may seem like a difficult task because of the abundance of South Carolina attorneys, but there are ways to filter your search to make it easier. 
There are many ways to sort through South Carolina attorneys, but the most important thing to remember is to find an attorney that is compatible with you. A great way to start your search is by asking for any referrals from businesses, friends, family, other lawyers, or online sources. When using referrals from other individuals, you should ensure that the referrals are based on the attorney’s ability to represent cases that are similar to yours. 
Additionally, you can use online directories to find the best South Carolina, which allows you to connect the best prospective attorneys for your case. These directories provide search tools to sort through South Carolina Attorneys by geographic location or type of law.
For South Carolina, you can search through South Carolina cities including Aiken, Beaufort, Walterboro, Mount Pleasant, West Columbia, Winnsboro, York, Bennettsville, Bluffton, Greenwood, , Conway, Columbia, Darlington, Easley, Florence, Loris, Manning, Myrtle Beach, Orangeburg, Georgetown, Fort Mill, Greenville, Hampton, Barnwell, Anderson, Hartsville, Johns Island, Lancaster, Charleston, Camden, Chester Pickens, Ridgeland, Seneca, Summerville, and more. Additionally, you may also search through counties such as Charleston County, Greenville County, Horry County, Lexington County, Richland County, Spartanburg County, and more.
Meeting with Prospective South Carolina Attorneys
After deciding that you do require a lawyer to assist you with your legal issue, and you have found some potential candidates for the job, the next thing to do is sort through the attorneys based on their experiences in handling similar cases to yours. You may also wish to ensure that the attorney is qualified attorney for your case. This means that the attorney should be a member of both the South Carolina state bar and the American Bar Association.
Furthermore, the attorney should have a record for success and should be able to provide references that will verify this. Depending on the field of law, some attorneys may also have completed continuing education, which is something to look for. To figure out who is the best South Carolina attorney to handle your case, you should individually meet each possible attorney in person to discuss the details your case along with the attorney’s ability to represent it competently.
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, including police records, witness statements, and more. All qualified South Carolina attorneys should be able to discuss the details of your case upon examination and explain the specific legal issues along with his or profession opinion of how the case will most likely be resolved if further legal action is taken.
Tax Attorney Fees and Rates
Hiring South Carolina attorneys will have varied costs depending on many different factors such as the issue at hand, the attorney’s reputation and experience, the attorney’s record for success, geographic location, and more. South Carolina attorneys usually bill clients at either at an hourly or flat rate. Depending on your case’s circumstances and the field of law, attorneys may offer different payment plans to accommodate for your financial situation.
The attorney may also take on the case on a contingency basis, meaning he or she will only receive an award if the case is settled or won. During your initial consultation with the attorney, you should carefully go over fees and charges to avoid any misunderstanding or errors in billing. This includes the procedure for billing, the rates, what activities are specifically billed, for example telephone calls, and what are the estimated costs of the case. If you find that one particular attorney estimates a larger bill in comparison to others, you may wish to ask that specific attorney why that is the case.
Interview Questions for South Carolina Attorneys
During your consultation with an attorney, there are many questions you should ask to try to get a grasp on whether the attorney is right for you regarding his or her education, experience and qualifications. Here are some good questions to ask an attorney:
What is the most probable outcome of the case?
How many cases have you taken on that are similar to mine?
What education or special knowledge do you have that is applicable to this case?
What is your success rate in these cases?
How long you practiced law in South Carolina?
What area of law do you typically practice?
How often will I receive updates regarding my case and what form of communication will we use?
Typically, what sort of clients do you have?
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?

Guide to Finding Ohio Attorneys

Guide to Finding Ohio Attorneys

Information on Ohio Attorneys
Ohio attorneys are legal representatives who litigate on behalf of clients in the state of Ohio. Ohio attorneys preside over legal matters in the state’s court system.  Because of the expansiveness associated with this term, Ohio attorneys may practice in any scope of law.
Ohio attorneys are special attorneys because they express an innate understanding concerning the state’s legal system and statutes. This specialized knowledge ensures the delivery of sincere legal representation to residents of Ohio and clients who face legal problems within the state’s jurisdiction.    
To practice law in Ohio, individuals must attain a post-graduate degree from an accredited law school and subsequently pass the state’s bar examination. 
Do I Need an Ohio Attorney?
Ohio attorneys preside over cases that deal with the state’s laws or statutes. Because of this scope, Ohio attorneys will represent clients in a wide variety of fashions. As a result, it is important to identify the laws surrounding your legal matter. By doing this, you will be able to filter your search for representation—you must hire a specialist to streamline your search for a legal remedy. For example, if you are filing a medical malpractice suit, you will need—to build an effective claim—to hire a medical malpractice attorney.
How do I Hire a Specialist?
To build an effective legal strategy, you must hire a specialist. It is crucial to match the counsel’s expertise with the foundation of your legal matter. To hire a specialist, you must identify what you want out of the legal action. Moreover, you must understand the laws surrounding your case. After you have isolated your strategy you should conduct a thorough search for specialized Ohio attorneys in your area.  
How do I go about finding an Ohio Attorney?
When probing for Ohio attorneys, you should employ all resources, including the Internet (forums, peer review services etc.) the state’s bar association and opinions offered by family and friends.
When searching for Ohio attorneys utilize these resources:
1. The first step to finding Ohio attorneys, you must utilize an Internet search. To conduct a search, simply type in the area of law your case revolves around and your area.   
2. When you have compiled a list, you should review client testimonials of those who have previously used their services. To find this information, search the lawyer’s name and “reviews” or “testimonials.” 
3. After observing testimonials and client reviews, you should visit each attorney’s website to view the individual’s biographical information. These case profiles will reveal the individual’s educational background and experience.   
Evaluating an Ohio Attorney’s Personality:
After compiling a list of prospective Ohio attorneys in your area, you must contact each individual to schedule consultations. These preliminary meetings are the basis for your quest for a legal remedy; during the consultation the prospective Ohio attorney will decide whether your case is worth pursuing.  The majority of civil Ohio attorneys (particularly those involved in personal injury) will offer free consultation, while other legal professionals in the state will charge a fee.  
Consultations offer a preview as to how the Ohio Attorney will litigate and go about resolving your matter. Furthermore, the consultation will offer a glimpse of the individual’s personality. During consultation, you must ask yourself the following questions:
1. Does the Ohio attorney listen well? 
2. Does the Ohio attorney seem genuine; does he/she care about my position and my well-being?
3. Does the Ohio attorney explain the intricacies surrounding my case, including the laws associated with the matter?
4. Does the Ohio attorney instill assurance that my matter will be litigated in a cost-effective manner?
5. Is the Ohio attorney’s staff professional and courteous?
6. Are you able to communicate with the Ohio attorney? Is the individual affable? Are you able to express your thoughts, concerns and feelings regarding the case without being judged or treated poorly? 
In addition to evaluating these personality traits, you must take note of the professional’s experience and educational background. Experience is the most important attribute: this characteristic denotes a strong understanding for the laws in question, as well as a sense of reputability and effectiveness. Educational background denotes an assiduous individual; however, scholastic achievements should be trumped by the individual’s ability to communicate and his/her experience. 
Fees Associated with Ohio Attorneys? 
The fees associated with representation will fluctuate based on the scope of law and the individual presiding over the case. The following fee schedules are frequently charged by Ohio attorneys:
Contingency Fees: In this fee schedule, Ohio attorneys will charge fees based on a percentage of a civil settlement, if one is secured. If a settlement is not secured, the Ohio attorney will not charge a fee—in this setting; you still are required to pay court fees. In the bulk of contingency fees, Ohio attorneys will charge 33%-50% of the settlement. Contingency fees are most common in personal injury suits and property damage cases. Ohio attorneys are prohibited from forming contingency arrangements in criminal and child custody cases. 
Flat Fees: Under this arrangement, an Ohio attorney will charge a flat, lump-sum fee. Flat fees are offered in straightforward legal filings.
Hourly Rate:  Ohio attorneys commonly charge per hour for services rendered. 
Retainer Fees: Ohio attorneys under this arrangement will require the delivery of a set fee paid prior to services being rendered. A retainer is, in essence, a down payment against which future costs will be billed. The retainer is placed in a separate account and the cost of legal aid is subtracted from the account as they accrue. 

Guide to Finding Arkansas Attorneys

Guide to Finding Arkansas Attorneys

An Arkansas Attorney is a lawyer who is permitted to practice within the State of Arkansas because either he or she is barred within the State Arkansas or is barred in another State but has been given special permission from the court to practice in Arkansas for a brief period of time, usually for a specific proceeding, this is called pro hoc vice.
How do you become an Arkansas Attorney?
In order to become an Arkansas Attorney an individual must meet a number of requirements; these include educational requirements as well as ethical requirements.  The first step is that an Arkansas 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 Arkansas Bar Association.  
After graduating from an accredited law school an Arkansas Attorney candidate must take and pass that Arkansas Bar Exam.  The Arkansas Bar Exam is a two day exam that is administered by the Arkansas Bar Examiners Office.  The first day consists of a Multi-State Essay Exam and a Multi-State Performance Test.  Both of these exams are written and administered by the National Board of Bar Examiners.  The Multi-State Essay Exam is an essay exam comprised of questions based on federal 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 memo or brief.  The second day of the Arkansas 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 score for the Arkansas Bar Examination is a 405 overall score.  The pass rate is around 66%.  
In addition to the substantive requirements to be an Arkansas Attorney an applicant must also take, and pass, the Multi-State Professional Responsibilities Exam.  The State of Arkansas requires a score of 85.  
Discipline
If you have a problem with your Arkansas Attorney you may want to consider filing a complaint with the Arkansas committee on professional conduct.  The legal profession is one that holds itself to high ethical and professional standards and as such, an Arkansas Attorney is required to uphold him, or herself, as a member of the Arkansas Bar on a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week basis.  If you feel that your Arkansas Attorney has violated the rules of professional conduct you should first discuss the matter with the Arkansas Attorney.  If that fails to rectify the matter then you should download the grievance form at www.courts.arkansas.org.  You must complete the grievance form by including your name and information as well as the name and information of the Arkansas Attorney you wish to bring proceedings against.  Send the completed form with all relevant documentation about the violation to:
625 Marshall St.
Justice Building, RM 110
Little Rock, AR 72201-1022
You can also contact the Office of Professional Conduct at 501-376-0313.  
The Arkansas Court System
Arkansas Attorneys practice in three different types of trial courts within the States.  These are the District courts, the city courts and the Circuit courts.  The district courts in the State of Arkansas hear cases involving misdemeanors, preliminary felony matters, and civil cases where the amount in question is less than $5,000.  The city courts hear all the same kinds of cases that the district courts hear.  They have jurisdiction over these matters in communities where district courts do not exist.
Arkansas Attorneys also practice in any of 23 Circuit courts withing the State.  Each Circuit court is divided into 5 divisions: the civil division, criminal division, probate division, juvenile division, and the domestic relations division.  The circuit courts hear all civil cases where the amount in question is greater than $5,000.  The criminal division hears all felony cases and misdemeanor cases that are specifically prescribed, by law.  
Finding an Arkansas Attorney
If you are looking for an Arkansas Attorney you will have a number of options.  You can perform a simple internet search to find information on Arkansas Attorneys in your area that specialize in the area of law that you will be litigating in.  Most Arkansas Attorneys have their own websites that give valuable information about the Arkansas Attorneys education, experience, and results.  
You can also take advantage of a referral service.  The Arkansas Bar Association does not operate an Arkansas Attorney Referral service but it does have a lawyer directory.  By using the lawyer directory and inputting the name, practice, or county you wil be given a list of Arkansas attorneys in your area.  
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.  
Legal Aid
If you need an Arkansas Attorney but you cannot afford one then you may have some options.  There are a number of legal aid services in the State of Arkansas that will be able to help you.  Two examples are the Center for Arkansas Legal Services and Legal Aid of Arkansas.  You can contact the Center for Arkansas Legal Services at www.arlegalservices.org or at 1-800-952-9243.  The 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 arkansas attorney to defend you in criminal matters.  In order to qualify for Arkansas attorneys through legal aid you must have an annual salary no more than 125% of the national poverty level.

Guide to Finding Alaska Attorneys

Guide to Finding Alaska Attorneys

Alaska Attorneys are those lawyers who are barred in the State of Alaska and represent clients in all legal matters that involve an individuals dealings within the State of Alaska.  Alaska attorneys represent clients in criminal matters involving misdemeanors, felonies, traffic violations, and city and burrough ordinances.  In civil matters the Alaska lawyer will represent clients involving torts, contracts, real estate purchases, incorporations, landlord/tenant disputes and many others.
How do you become an Alaska Attorney?
In order to be able to practice law within the State of Alaska an individual must meet a number of requirements set out by the Alaska Bar Association.  An applicant to become an Alaska Attorney must have received a bachelors degree from a recognized college or university.  In addition, an applicant to be an Alaska Attorney must also have graduated from an accredited law school within the United States or meet the other options listed in the Alaska Bar Association’s list of acceptable alternatives.  Once an individual has gotten accepted and graduated from an accredited law school then that individual must take the Alaska bar exam.  
To be an Alaska Attorney an individual must take, and pass, the Alaska Bar Exam.  This is a 3 day exam that gauges a potential Alaska attorneys ability to know both federal and state law as well as write persuasively.  The first and third day of the Alaska Bar Exam consists of 9 essay questions, three short and six long, as well as 2 90 minutes MPTs.  The 9 essay questions are created by the Alaska Board of Bar Examiners and are to gauge an Alaska attorney applicants ability to know Alaska State Law.  The MPT, or the Multi-State Performance Test is a 90 minute test that gauges an applicant for admittance to be an Alaska attorney in his, or her, ability to take evidence and statutory law and create a cohesive, persuasive memo or brief.  The second day of the Alaska Bar Exam is the multi-State bar exam which is a multiple choice exam that is administered by the National Board of Bar Examiners.  The weight that is given to the portions of the exam are 50% for the MBE; 15% for the long essays; 22.5% for the short essays and 12.5% for the MPTs.  The passing rate of the Alaska Bar Exam is around 65% annually with the exam being offered twice a year, once in the end of February and once in the end of July.
In addition to passing the Alaska Bar Exam the Alaska Attorney applicant must also fill out an application for background checks to ensure the Alaska Bar Association that the applicant represents the character and fitness necessary to practice law as an Alaska Attorney.  The Alaska Attorney must also pass the Multi-State Performance Exam with a passing score of 80.
Where Do Alaska Attorneys Practice?
Alaska Attorneys will represent clients in one of 3 different trial courts.  The trial courts in that Alaska attorneys practice in within the state are the district courts, superior courts, and through magistrates.  The District courts are overseen by 21 judges in separate courts.  The district courts handle misdemeanors, minor violations, and violations of city and burrough ordinances.  The District courts also have the authority to issue summons, search and arrest warrants.  The District courts hear all civil cases where the amount in question is less than $100,000, small claims cases, and emergency orders involving children and domestic violence.  
The Superior court is another trial court system that hears both criminal and civil actions, appeals from district courts, matters involving juvenile delinquency, probate matters and domestic relations matters.  The magistrates are independent judgeships that move around from locale to locale to hear cases in local communities far away from the district or superior courts.  
The Alaska Appeals court must accept all appeals from the district and superior courts involving criminal matters.  The Alaska Supreme Court hears all civil matters that are brought on appeal from the district or superior courts as well as the magistrates.
Disciplinary matters involving Alaska Attorneys
If you have had a problem involving an ethical violation by your Alaska Attorney it may be necessary to file a complaint with the Alaska Bar Examiners office.  It is not necessary that you be the Alaska Attorney’s client, it is only necessary that you have information about an Alaska attorney that reflects poorly on their ability to practice law.   An Alaska Attorney is considered a lawyer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is expected to uphold the rules of professional responsibility when he, or she, is not even in the court room.  If you wish to file a complaint against any Alaska Attorney you should go to www.alaskabar.org.  From there you will be requested to fill out an attorney grievance form which can be downloaded and printed from that page.  You must print and sign the grievance form.  The Alaska Bar Counsel will not accept grievance forms that are electronically file, faxed or copies.  All grievance forms must be sent to 
Alaska Bar Association
P.O. Box 100279
Anchorage, AK 99510-0279
If the Bar Counsel finds merit in the complaint they will forward the grievance against the Alaska Attorney to the Alaska Disciplinary board to issue formal charges.  The Bar Counsel handles matters of ethics and violations of the rules of professional responsibility.  If you have a dispute over fees with your Alaska Attorney you will want to complete the petition for arbitration of fee dispute and mail to the same location. 
Where do I find Alaska Attorneys?
If you need an Alaska Attorney then you have many options.  You can do a cursory internet search and find Alaska Attorneys near you who can represent you in your particular legal matter.  
You can also use the referral service at Alaska Bar Association at www.alaskabar.org. The referral service.  All Alaska  Attorneys that are used in the referral service are barred and in good standing in the State of Alaska.  The referral service may be reached calling 907-272-0352 to speak with a representative or by completing the online referral form at www.alaskabar.org.  The Alaska lawyer referral service operated by the Alaska Bar Association will offer you the names and phone numbers of up to 3 lawyers in your area that practice in your area area of law, are barred, and in good standing in the State of Alaska.  Any Alaska Attorney referred through the service may charge no more than $125 for a 30 minute consultations.  
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.