Finding a good attorney may be the most important step in winning a legal case, but it's not difficult if you know how. To find a good lawyer, you must be willing to do some research. Focus on finding a lawyer who has dealt with legal issues similar to yours and who suits you personally. The time you put in will be worth it because the right lawyer will help you win the case.
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Part 1 of 3: Finding Potential Lawyers
Step 1. Determine what kind of lawyer you need
We recommend finding a lawyer who specializes in your area of case law (e.g., malpractice law, bankruptcy law, etc.). It's also a good idea to find a lawyer who is familiar with the courts and law in your area. This allows the attorney to present your case in the best possible way. Some examples of areas of specialization for lawyers are:
- Bankruptcy Law. This is very helpful if you are facing financial problems.
- Criminal Law. Lawyers who specialize in criminal law are especially important if your case involves criminal activity or potentially illegal activities.
- Disability Specialist. Specialist disability attorneys can handle disability benefits and/or veterans' disability claims.
- Trust and Property. This type of attorney deals with issues such as estate planning, medical benefits, legalization of inheritance, and guardianship of grandparents or elderly parents.
- Family Law. Family law attorneys deal with issues such as separation, divorce, prenup, adoption, guardianship, as well as child custody and support.
- Personal accident law. Personal accident attorneys deal with cases involving medical malpractice, dog bites, car accidents, and accidents/injuries suffered by one person through the fault of another.
- Employment Law. Employment lawyers can help companies set employment policies, or handle cases of employees suing the company for unilateral dismissal or assisting companies that are sued.
- Small Company Law. If you are looking to set up a business, a small or corporate specialty attorney is the best choice.
Step 2. Contact your local bar association to find a qualified attorney in your area
The Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi) lists all lawyers who are licensed to practice, including those who have been dishonorably discharged. Perhaps you can ask for a reference to an attorney that fits your case.
You can find information about local lawyers by contacting the DPC Peradi office provided by the Indonesian Advocates Association
Step 3. Study the profiles of Indonesian lawyers available on the internet
Many websites provide lawyer profile reviews. Apart from Peradi, you can browse lawyer profiles on the Online Law site.
- The Legal Aid Institute (LBH) website focuses on providing advocacy for underprivileged people.
- Look for reviews on more than one site as cross-references. This will help clarify if there is any bias in the review.
Step 4. Ask for references and recommendations from friends and family
Talk to friends and family who have used a lawyer. Ask who their attorney is, for what legal services, whether they are satisfied with the attorney's service, and the reasons for their satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Ask if they would recommend the attorney.
Step 5. List potential attorneys in your area
Write down the name, address, phone number, and website address. This list will make it easier for you in the process of selecting the right lawyer.
Step 6. Study each attorney's site
Look for information on the area of practice of the lawyer. Also, look for background information, such as the school or area of specialization.
- Find general information about legal issues like yours, including in the FAQ section, or blogs and articles that cover legal issues like yours. The best lawyers usually have websites that are always updated and provide a lot of information.
- Most lawyer sites usually provide information about each lawyer who works at his firm. Learn the educational background and work history of each lawyer at the firm.
- In general, you should look for a lawyer who has three to five years of practical experience in the area of law you need. In addition, choose a lawyer who is currently or currently practicing in the field of law.
- Be aware that many lawyers are also active on social media such as Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook. Also check their profile there. The way a lawyer presents himself in public also gives you an idea of whether you can work with him.
Step 7. Remember that the size of the law firm may be important
Law firm sizes vary, so you should choose the one that is best for your current situation. Large corporations may work with large law firms to deal with complex or international law-related issues. However, if you are only looking for a lawyer who will help with the divorce or inheritance matters, you can hire a lawyer from a smaller firm.
Part 2 of 3: Choosing a Lawyer
Step 1. Make an appointment with the lawyer on your list
Call one by one and arrange a consultation schedule. Most lawyers provide a free initial consultation. However, there are also those who ask for a small fee. Make sure you know whether the attorney will charge you, and don't make appointments with lawyers who don't provide information on whether or not to charge them.
- Most lawyers offer free consultations. Begin your search with them before meeting a lawyer who charges you for the first consultation.
- If you don't live in the same city as the attorney, schedule a telephone consultation. However, since a lawyer must appear in court with you, try to find a local attorney.
Step 2. Write down your questions about the practice of the lawyer
Generally, you can find basic information on the internet, such as how long you have been practicing, where you went to law school, etc. In a face-to-face meeting, ask questions that are relevant to your case. A good lawyer will have no trouble answering questions, and should also have no doubts or doubts. Here are the questions you should ask:
- Cost. You should ask if the fee is hourly or fixed. Fixed fees apply to many areas of practice, especially family law.
- Case settlement time. Ask him how quickly he can solve the case. Lawyers may not be able to give an exact date, but they should be able to tell you how long it took for previous cases similar to yours to be resolved, and an estimated time for completion.
- Level of success. Maybe you need to ask about his success record in a case like yours. Lawyers cannot guarantee results (ethically prohibited), but you can ask for an overview of the expected results. You can also ask for references from previous clients. Be aware that lawyers need to get permission from their clients first, so you can't get references right away.
- Availability. Ask as soon as you he can start. Also ask who is the main contact that you can always contact throughout the settlement of the case. Will you be in touch with a junior assistant or partner? You should know who to contact if you have questions.
- Violation. If the attorney has committed an offense or has been reprimanded, whose information can be found through an online search, ask for clarification at this initial meeting. In some cases, the offense may be minor. You should be able to decide if the offense is significant enough.
Step 3. Bring documents or information to the meeting
Lawyers may ask you to bring certain documents, but you should also bring anything you think is important. Collect documents beforehand so that they are ready to be brought at the meeting.
Step 4. Attend the consultation
Meet or contact each of the lawyers you have selected. Please take notes on whatever was said so that you can remember what each attorney said and what your first impression was.
Remember that you are interviewing a lawyer to get him a job. So treat this meeting like a job interview. If you feel like he's not listening well to you or isn't answering your questions, find another attorney
Step 5. Choose a lawyer you are comfortable with
In addition to experience and knowledge of the law, choose a lawyer who is likely to be a good match for you.
- If you feel uncomfortable, we suggest choosing another attorney.
- Also consider how each attorney answers questions. If he's in doubt, uses too many legal terms, or doesn't suit your needs, choose something else.
- If more than one attorney has the qualifications you are looking for, choose the one you are most comfortable with.
Part 3 of 3: Considering Costs
Step 1. Understand how lawyers charge service fees
There are three ways lawyers charge for their services: a flat fee, a contingency fee, or an hourly fee.
- Lawyers who charge a flat fee will charge a single payment (sometimes up front) to handle the case from start to finish, no matter how long the process takes. Examples of cases handled for a fixed fee are criminal cases, bankruptcy cases, domestic cases (such as divorce or custody), and drafting documents such as inheritance or guardianship.
- Lawyers who charge contingency fees do not charge a client unless the attorney manages to obtain money for his client through an agreement or court decision. Lawyers will receive a percentage of the amount of the deal or damages, usually between 30 and 40 percent. Some examples of cases that are handled with contingency costs are cases of personal accidents, cases of job discrimination, and types of cases that expect large compensation payments from corporations or companies.
- Lawyers who charge by the hour and charge the number of hours they devote to handling client cases. Typically, the hourly fee is used by the companies and corporations involved in the trial. In addition, natural persons may also be charged an hourly fee for long hearings or complex cases.
Step 2. Negotiate the cost
Budget what you can afford, and ask if an attorney can handle your case within that budget. Also, let the attorney know that he or she should inform you before doing anything that would exceed the budget.
- Keep in mind that even if you have a tight budget, if your case turns out to be much more complicated or longer than the attorney initially thought, you may have to pay more than budgeted.
- If you can't afford the attorney's fees up front, ask if there are other alternatives, such as a term payment. Many lawyers are willing to give waivers based on the client's financial condition.
- There are several ways lawyers can help clients with lower-middle incomes. Many firms offer fee waivers based on the client's income so you can pay based on your ability. Sometimes you can pay by barter, by exchanging goods or services (such as web design, building maintenance) with legal advice. This arrangement is at the discretion of each attorney.
Step 3. Sign the letter of agreement or engagement
The lawyer will provide a letter of agreement for both parties to sign. This agreement letter is a contract between you and a lawyer that states the legal issues you are facing, as well as the terms and conditions of the agreement with the lawyer.
The contents of this agreement include expenses that you bear, attorney fees, and minimum payments. In America, the minimum payment that can be billed for an hourly attorney is every 6 minutes
Tips
- Consider firing a lawyer if you are late in submitting documents or missed a trial date, do not want to update you on the status of your case, do not answer phone calls or emails, and are not honest and clear when you ask questions.
- For the best results, work with your best attorney. Provide all requested documents, and don't miss the trial. A good lawyer will always help with your case, but there's not much they can do without your cooperation.
