Lawyers & Lawsuits

How to find the right lawyer for your case and what to do if a problem arises with your lawyer need not be difficult tasks if you follows a few basic rules and are aware of the agencies that exist to help. The following discussion will briefly cover those matters.  

Choosing a Lawyer

There are many ways that experienced attorneys can be located.  Those include: referrals by other attorneys; recommendations by family, friends and co-workers; lawyer referral services certified by the State Bar and operated by local bar associations or others; legal services and legal aid programs; legal directories; and public interest organizations.

Once a lawyer has been located, it will be your responsibility to inquire into the lawyer's experience with similar matters, what he thinks of your case, how long it will take, and what he will charge. There will be no better opportunity than your first meeting with that lawyer for you to determine whether you will be comfortable entrusting your case to him. If you don't understand something, ask for an explanation and always have a written fee agreement.  

The Contra Costa County Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service to help people find experienced attorneys. They maintain lists of attorneys who have agreed to provide an initial consultation at a low fee.