Finding the best employment law firm for your situation can seem hard, but you can narrow down the results by following this guide. Here are some tips on how you can find the top firms in your area to assist you on your case.
Ask Friends and Family
One of the best ways to find a law firm that fits your needs is to ask your friends and family. Even if you don’t end up taking their recommendations, it’s a great place to start a list of firms to begin researching. Your friends and family know your situation and can help you pick an employment law firm that will be receptive to your specific needs.
Research Firms
Compile a list of suggestions from your friends, family, and firms that are in your area. Once you’ve done this, you should research each one to make sure it’s legitimate. The first place you should look is your state’s bar website. The state bar website should give you contact information, schools attended, bar number, status history, and more information that can help you determine if the attorney is right for you.
Another place to look is the employment law firm’s website to read the biographies of each partner. By visiting the site, you can determine if there are certain types of cases your potential lawyer handles and if he or she will fit what you need. You can also get a sense of the kind of person you’ll be dealing with throughout the case.
Interview the Attorney
Consultation with employment law firms are usually free, and this gives you a chance to talk to the potential attorney that may be handling your case. Experience is a plus, so you should ask how long your attorney has been practicing law (specifically how long they’ve been practicing employment law). New lawyers aren’t always bad, but experience is almost always going to benefit your case. You should also ask how many times they’ve been to court. It isn’t unusual for cases not to go to court, but reviewing the times they have been to court can give you insight into how successful they are.
You should also ask who will be handling your case. Some firms have a habit of passing work onto paralegals and other staff. By finding out how your lawyer delegates his or her cases, you won’t be surprised at a later date. You can also ask about the credentials and experience of those involved in your case.
Know the Fees and Costs
Everyone wants to save money when hiring an attorney, but for the best employment law firms, you can expect to pay quite a bit. Some law firms can charge hundreds of dollars per hour, and it can be worth it to get the best that money can buy. An inexperienced attorney may charge less, but you might not get the best defense possible—which may result in a lost case.
