Employment lawyers are typically hired to represent clients dealing with employment-related legal claims, such as wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment. Here are some tips for hiring an employment lawyer.
1. Research Your Options
The first thing you should do when seeking an employment lawyer is to determine what options you have and research those options carefully. You can start with a simple internet search for law firms and lawyers practicing employment law in your area. Then study those options to see which ones stand out to you and begin looking for testimonials from past clients.
Pay attention to what people say about the law firm’s reputation and the track records of each potential attorney.
2. Talk To Potential Attorneys Before Hiring Them
One of the major steps in hiring an employment attorney is meeting and speaking with that attorney. Doing so gives you a chance to get a feel for the law firm and the lawyer and determine whether you feel comfortable working with him or her. It also provides you with an opportunity to ask questions and gain more clarity about your situation and what the lawyer can do to assist you.
Depending on the law firm, you may be offered a free consultation or required to pay a fee to meet with a lawyer, so remember to ask about this before scheduling an appointment.
3. Request Recommendations
The law firms you’re interested in should have lists of past clients and their testimonials, but these are often curated by the firm and may not provide a completely accurate picture of the firm’s experience and track record. You should review testimonials and reviews, but you should also seek out recommendations on your own.
Talk to your network, including peers, friends and family members. See if anyone you know has hired or worked with an employment attorney and whether he or she would recommend the attorney he or she worked with.
4. Make Sure Your Lawyer Has Experience in Cases Like Yours
It’s vital that your attorney has experience in your case. He or she should have a proven track record of success in these types of cases. Ask your attorney about previous cases, including how they worked and what he or she did.
While he or she may not be able to discuss specific details, you should still be able to get a good idea of his or her level of experience. Make sure your attorney also has a solid education that includes your claim and a large amount of knowledge regarding relevant labor laws.
5. Keep Costs And Fees in Mind
Hiring a lawyer costs money. You need to be able to pay all the attorney’s costs and fees, either up front or via a payment plan. You can discuss this when you draw up a contract with the attorney you choose to hire, but you should also keep it in mind during the research and decision-making process.
- First, determine your budget and whether you can adjust it at all if necessary.
- Then, seek out what the firm states about its costs and fees, as well as what previous clients have said about those fees.
- Finally, compare and contrast the information you find about each potential firm to decide which one is the best fit for your budget.
When you do decide on an attorney to hire, get all agreements in writing so that no hidden fees can pop up.
When you hire any lawyer, you should research carefully and thoroughly. For employment lawyers, specifically, you need to keep in mind your case and what attorney would be the best fit for your needs and goals. To do this, you need to consider the expertise, educational backgrounds and experiences of your options.