Monday, December 11, 2017

Four Tips for Choosing a Civil Litigation Attorney


Nielsen & Treas LLC of Metairie, Louisiana, provides legal representation to help clients navigate the complexities of policies and procedures associated with litigation, law enforcement defense, and the National Flood Insurance Program. Practice areas handled by Nielsen & Treas LLC include civil litigation. Clients seeking a civil litigation attorney should consider the following tips: 

1. Emphasize relevant experience. Civil litigation can involve a range of matters, from personal injury and discrimination to debt settlement and alimony. Make sure to examine the attorney’s qualifications and previous cases closely to ensure you hire one with experience in the area of law associated with your case. You may also want to look at prior courtroom experience in the event your case goes to trial. 

2. Consider your comfort level. Meet with attorneys in person before deciding to hire them, and take time to consider how they react to your questions and concerns. While experience is important, you also want to ensure that you hire an attorney who listens to your concerns and makes you feel comfortable. Avoid attorneys who hurry conversations or behave in a condescending manner. 

3. Ask who will handle the case. Some firms may schedule a consultation with one attorney, but assign the case to a different one who possesses less experience. Ask up front who will handle your case, and make sure to meet with that individual. 

4. Discuss costs and time expectations. The costs and time expectations can vary widely, depending on the type of civil litigation and the details of the situation. Discuss costs and options for payment before hiring an attorney, and ask about policies for billing regarding “out-of-pocket expenses.” You may also want to discuss how long the attorney expects it to take to reach a resolution.