Questions for an attorney

Experience

• Ask how many cases like yours the lawyer has handled.
• Ask how often those cases settle and how often they go to trial.
• Ask whether the lawyer regularly appears in the court that will hear your case.
• Ask who in the office will actually work on your case.

Fees and costs

• Ask whether the fee is flat, hourly or a contingency fee.
• Ask what costs are separate from the fee and who pays them.
• Ask what happens to fees and costs if the case is lost.
• Ask for the fee agreement in writing before you sign anything.

Strategy and timeline

• Ask what the lawyer sees as the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
• Ask what options you have and the main risks of each.
• Ask what the important deadlines are and how they will be met.
• Ask how long a case like yours usually takes.
• Ask what evidence or documents the lawyer needs from you.

Communication

• Ask how the lawyer will keep you updated and how often.
• Ask how quickly calls and messages are usually returned.
• Ask who to contact if the lawyer is unavailable.
• Ask which decisions will be yours to make.

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