Whenever you run into some problems with the law, it’s in your best interest to get the best legal representation possible, regardless of what your legal issues are. Thorough research on your part then becomes absolutely essential. Do this in advance and be ready when friends or family members come with some names for recommendations.
Area of Expertise
When looking for an attorney to represent you in New Orleans or elsewhere, check their educational background, their track record, and their reputation. You should be completely satisfied with their field of specialization, expertise, and competence. You have to find a lawyer who has the relevant exposure and experience. If you’re filing for a divorce in New Orleans, for example, then a family law specialist is your better option compared to a corporate law attorney.
Check with your friends and family for any recommendations. You can also go through the local classified ads and visit the library for a listing of the local law firms.
Law Firm Websites
While you might be lucky to get a suitable attorney to represent you in New Orleans just by word of mouth, not everyone might be so fortunate. The professional way of looking for a suitable representative is checking the websites of the various law firms. Browsing through these websites will also help you learn a lot about the laws prevalent in New Orleans. These sites will help you learn the area of specialization of each lawyer, and thus help you find a suitable attorney.
Most of these websites will have all the information you require, like their specialization, biographical data, and publications. Some sites may even include reviews, testimonials, and other related information about a specific lawyer’s practice.
Archives and Publications
There are some paid services that can give you access to legal publications, relevant news, and case law papers. You can use these to find a professional to handle your case. This method may be a little far fetched, but it will help if your case is too complicated.
For legal problems that are complicated or involve a lot of money, it’s best to let the experts handle it and hire a good local lawyer. Your best defense will be a lawyer with the skills and qualities that will best serve your needs.
Resources:
http://edwardwomac.com/
http://www.lsba.org/Public/LawyerReferral.aspx
http://www.neworleansbar.org/news/need-a-lawyer.html
