14+ Secrets Lawyers Will Never Tell You

You won't always need a lawyer

Image Source/ Britannica KidsBelieve it or not, when it comes down to having a dispute and settling it, you won't always need a lawyer to intervene. There are many instances where situations can be settled another way. Attorney Randolph Rice said that:

"Getting lawyers involved can escalate tensions and delay resolution, all at great time and expense.”

Save money & write your own demand letter

Image Source/ My law QuestionsFollowing on from above, dodge the trouble of hiring a lawyer to write your demand letter and just write one yourself. When a lawyer takes on a case in the first instance, they will write a letter of demand, which can quite often result in the other person settling the dispute.

Pay up & on time - or else you move to the bottom of the pile

Image Source/ LendioThat's right, although it might hurt to fork out big hefty lump sums in your case, try to see it from your lawyers perspectives. Clients who don't pay, or defer paying won't get their attention and will be more likely to have work shoved to the bottom of the pile.

RED FLAG: Is your lawyer flashy?

Image Source/ Digitaldev.comA lot of lawyers, and you know who you are, entice their clients by buying huge overheads, like cars, great views from their office, expensive ornaments, as they think if they look successful, they'll be successful. Try to go for a lawyer that will invest in recourses and legal services rather than possessions.

What really makes a good lawyer?

Image Source/ Prowse ChowneWhen you're shopping around for a lawyer you might feel anxious about what type of lawyer you're going to get, especially if they haven't handled many cases. But in the case of hiring a good lawyer, trust your instincts and find someone who is willing to spend time discussing the dispute with you.

It's a red flag if they don't explain the process to you

Image Source/ The CashroomFinding a lawyer means that you have as much chance of bagging a good one as you do a bad one. So there's a few things to look out for; how do they explain the processes to you, and are they willing to discuss costs and fees? If not, massive red flag!

Billable hours - make sure they're open & honest about them

Image Source/ FreshBooksBillable hours can be quite confusing. While some lawyers will be open and honest with you about their fees, some might not pay the same courtesy. So if a lawyer charges by the hour, what do they charge for a 30 second phone call? 15 minutes? The full hour?

Keep an eye on the expenses

Image Source/ FreshBooksBefore you jump in head first with your lawyer be sure to understand what type of expenses you can afford. External costs such as copying, faxing, hiring witnesses, travel etc, can come at a high cost. While some lawyers add on an additional percentage, be sure to read the fine print.

Pay per project is the way forward

Image Source/ PinkserbeitTo avoid the stress and nasty surprises of billable hours, you might want to look for a lawyer that charges by the project rather than by the hour. That will give you some peace of mind during your case and you won't be breaking the bank when all fails.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

Image Source/ iPethics & InsightsIf a lawyer is promising you a big win for a remarkably low fee, you might want to sound those alarm bells in your head. Attorney Nathaniel Pitoniak says:

"If a lawyer’s fee sounds too good to be true, it’s likely because they struggle to retain business or don’t anticipate putting much effort towards your case—both are bad for someone who needs a strong lawyer.”

What's your lawyer's reputation?

Image Source/ Fast CompanyThe way that lawyers hold themselves in and outside of the court room is paramount to your success. If a lawyer has a great reputation in the courtroom, the judge may show some lenience. If the lawyer is discredited among their peers, other attorneys could interfere with your dispute.

See you in court... or will you?

Image Source/ The New York TimesYou might find this quite surprising but most cases never step foot through a courtroom door. While on TV you will see an abundance of high-energy, tense cases being argued, in reality most get settled outside of the courtroom, so bare this in mind.

Lawyers hate the courtroom

Image Source/ The GuardianAttorney Jason Cruz speaks about how lawyers try with all their might to keep themselves from going before a judge and exhaust all alternate options first. He says:

“If a lawyer suggests they want to try the case in front of a judge, you should definitely speak with another lawyer before proceeding,”

Honesty is the best policy

Image Source/ ClioThe first thing you should do with a lawyer is be honest. Not because they're the world's greatest lie detectors, but because lying or bending the truth can have massive negative impact on your chances of winning the case. So, make sure you remember to be honest.

...and that goes the same for your lawyer

Image Source/ Hoover InstitutionWhile we're on the topic of honesty... not only must you be honest with your lawyer, they have to be honest with you. No matter how tempting it might be to go with the lawyers that's promising the world and more, be mindful about how realistic the expectations are.

First impressions are crucial

image source / tipsforlawyersWhile you might struggle deciding on what lawyer you wish to hire, the whole process is a two-way street and lawyers will be making as much judgement of you as you of them. That means get your facts straight before you see them and tell the whole truth.

Prepare for your meetings

Image Source/ Oprah.comAttorney Stephen Babcock says that being prepared for your first meeting with your lawyer is an absolute must. Having the story, facts and proof together will not only impress your lawyer, will also increase your chances of winning the case in good time.

Not all lawyers know everything

Image Source/ Best Legal ChoicesWhile it might seem like a stupid thing to say, not every lawyer is equipped to deal with every case. In the same way that doctors have specialities, so do lawyers. So please don't go to the best workplace-injury lawyer in town to deal with your divorce proceedings.

And don't go for one that does!

Image Source/ VICEAs you may well know, a jack of all trades is a master of none. This means that the lawyer who claims they know divorce law, child law, workplace law, and criminal law is probably not well suited to your case specifically, or even any case in the mater.

Who's your work going to?

Image Source/ Legal CheekOkay so junior lawyers and paralegals have to get their knowledge from somewhere, but you'll be surprised how much work is passed onto them, while your actual lawyer spends very little time on your case. Make sure you keep an eye on who's doing your work.

Avoid hiring your friend

Image Source/ The MirrorJust because they're your friend and will represent you at a minimal cost doesn't mean it will end well. Not only might they lack knowledge in the area that your case resides, but the informal relationship could lead to work being overlooked, impacting the outcome of your case.

Don't always go for the attack

Image Source/ Maryland Injury Lawyer BlogSome lawyers can be more fiery, temperamental and demanding than others, do bear this in mind when you're considering your divorce proceedings. Handling the matter amicably and reasonably will get you much further, save you more money and the divorce will be a lot smoother.

Challenge that insurance denial

Image Source/ United Spinal Resource CenterBeing denied insurance, or an insurance pay out, can be detrimental for some people. However, many don't realise that you can actually hire a lawyer to challenge such rejections. Many insurance providers will reject claims from lower-income or disabled claimants as they assume a lawyer can't be afforded.

Dress to impress

Image Source/ BE OfficesWe're not talking a massively expensive suit or courtroom attire, just something smarter than a pair of joggers, sliders and a tracksuit hoody. If a lawyer sees you come dressed like that, they make huge assumptions in their mind and it could harm your case.

Court cases take a long time

Image Source/ LandlordZONEAnother reason that lawyers hate attending court is how long it can take. Some courtrooms will have 50 cases on call at one time, so you can be expected to wait for long periods of time. This might mean that you see "queuing costs" on your invoice. Don't be mad, it is what it is.

Being right doesn't mean a win

Image Source/ Criminal defence attorneysThink about it, everyone that walks through that lawyer's door thinks that they are in the right, the world is unjust, and they want to win this case. Well, although you may be right in principle, it comes down to a lot more factors than truth in the courtroom.

All contracts MUST be written

Image Source/ Canadian HR ReporterIf you're disputing an arrangement, make sure you have it in writing. Lawyers can't bear to see clients walk in and dispute a case on a verbal arrangement. It's untidy, unreliable, and untrustworthy. So, if it's important, always get it written down!

Keep voicemails brief and concise

Image Source/ CorkCRMLawyers have admitted that voicemails longer than 30 seconds probably won't phone you back, especially if it's your first communication. You need to be able to articulate your issue succinctly so as to not waste your lawyer's time and improve your chances of winning the case.

Same goes for emails!

Image Source/ The GuardianJust like voicemails, emails need to be kept short too. Wasting your lawyer's time by writing all the Harry Potter novels in one long email is going to do you no justice. Lawyers don't always need new cases, so can be very selective about who they choose.

Attend your meetings alone

Image Source/ Majeski Divorce and Family LawAlthough it might not be helped, lawyer's don't like to see anyone else at your appointments. Having a distraction there can make you late, unfocused and inattentive, which doesn't leave a great impression on for your lawyer. So bear this in mind when you've got your hands full with the kids.