General Topics of Law

Melbourne Lawyer, How to Select a Lawyer

Because Melbourne is one of the biggest cities in the world in terms of area, it can be difficult to navigate at times when you are trying to find professional legal services. The city centre is home to many of the city’s top businesses, but in outlying areas such as Carlton and Fitzroy you might also find legal firms. However, location alone is not enough when you are trying to select the best Melbourne lawyer for your needs. Instead, there are other factors to look at, including the lawyer’s experience, rates, and personality.

Once you have narrowed down your initial list of potential Melbourne lawyer options, you will want to call each legal team on your list to speak to the lawyer for five or ten minutes. One of the first questions to ask immediately is whether the lawyer handles the type of problem that you have. Many lawyers will specialize only in one type of legal problem, so you need to establish what your case is right away to see if they can help you. With a brief description of your problem, you can find out what their experience might be.

Another factor to think about right away when you are comparing different options for Melbourne lawyer teams is the rates that they charge. Ask if they charge on a flat fee or hourly basis, and if they charge for an initial consultation. If possible, it’s always best to meet in person to find out if this is someone that you feel comfortable working with. When dealing with legal issues, you may be revealing sensitive information, so it’s important that you feel comfortable discussing all relevant facts to your case.

Some questions to ask during your phone call or consultation should include what their legal experience is, how many cases they have handled related to your issue, and what percentage of the practice is in this particularly area of law. You can also ask your potential Melbourne lawyer where they are licensed to practice law, and how they would approach this case. Find out how they plan to approach your case, and what the time frame might look like in pursuing legal action. All of this information will help you better understand your own legal situation, while also preparing you to make a decision about who you are going to work with. The best lawyers will be able to give you an action oriented outline fairly quickly.