FAILURE TO ASK FOR A COPY OF WHAT YOU SIGN. You should always ask for a copy of a document that you are asked to sign. In our office, when we are retained, we give the client a pocket folder with copies of the fee agreement, office policies and, in appropriate cases, the client divorce manual.
For the attorney, contingency fee cases are a risk. They may end up working hundreds of hours on your case for free. After all, if the case is lost, they get nothing. So why do they do it? They do it because of the possible reward for taking the risk – the 1/3 fee.
abogado Using your list of questions as a guide, have a telephone conversation with each candidate lawyer. Get to know them. How do they feel about your case?
What happens if you hire him? It varies state by state, so check with the new attorney you meet with. Typically, attorneys are entitled to be compensated for the work they’ve done on the case up till the time you fire him. Usually, this is determined by the number of hours he worked multiplied by a reasonable hourly rate (based on his experience). He must release the file to you (it belongs to you). He may keep a copy of the file, but usually the ethical rules require the copying be done at his expense. The attorney can place a “lien” for the time he spent on your case – which is only paid if and when you get a recovery with your new attorney.
Representation. Esquire, philadelphia domestic relations attorney near me, Attorney, Counselor, Abogado. We have so many names for them and so many feelings about them: love, respect… and some other feelings too. Most attorneys don’t handle collection cases and know nothing about collections, and the ones that do usually charge an hourly fee of $200 or more per hour. Some might even take your case on contingency, but you’ll usually have to pay the “hard costs” involved in collections, which can be anywhere from tens to thousands of dollars. Attorneys have many ways of making money, so they are usually only going to take your case if they are certain it’s collectible.
What if your attorney has never handled a case like yours? Well- you can still stick with this attorney. I’m sure he can learn everything he needs to handle your type of case. But remember this- This is the only time you’ll be able to bring a lawsuit for your injuries. Don’t you think you might be better off with an attorney who has handled these types of cases for years and years? The choice, as always is yours. Make your decision after carefully thinking about the risks and benefits of choosing one lawyer over another.
