It’s never easy choosing a law firm in Victoria. There are pages and pages of law firms in the phone book, and some lawyers will privately tell you that many people choose legal advice depending on how far the law office is from their homes!
If you follow a few simple rules, though, you can find a that’s a good fit for you personally, and who also possesses the skills and expertise you need to help you in your journey through the legal system.
The first step to finding the right professional relationship is to remember some “don’ts”:
Don’t choose a lawyer based on a television ad
Obviously, there are some lawyers who advertise on television who are very helpful, but, generally speaking, there is a certain “lawyer persona” on television that tends to be blustery and over-the-top, and they tend to leverage fear as a selling technique.
Don’t choose a lawyer randomly from the phone book
As mentioned, many people choose lawyers based on how close the office is to where they live or work. The phone book is filled with pages and pages of reputable, competent law firms. However, are they the right fit for you? Instead, the best way to choose a law firm is by asking your friends and family for references.
Ask friends and family for references
As with any business, word of mouth is the best advertising. It is also the best way for you to find out who has done well-or poorly-for people whose judgement you value (or at least can evaluate). Even if no one you know has experience with a lawyer who deals with what you need, you can still get some feedback if you know where to look. For example, if you are selling a house without a real estate agent, you could check with the local title companies to see who they have had good experiences with. Similarly, if you need a lawyer for your small business, you can check with the local chamber of commerce to see who has good relations with the local business community.
What is their specialty?
One other important thing to think about when picking lawyer is specialty-that is, make sure the lawyer you hire is the lawyer you need. In other words, if you need a criminal defense lawyer, don’t hire an estate lawyer, even if he is an old family friend. You want to make sure you have the right specialist to meet your needs.
Do you have any questions about choosing a law firm in Victoria? Let us know. We would be happy to provide you with more information.