Did you know that the U.S. is home to over 1.32 million practicing attorneys? Of that count, 77,223, or nearly 6%, are in Florida, many of whom are active lawyers in Tallahassee.
With so many attorneys in the Sunshine State’s capital, how do you choose the best one? What factors should you even consider when hiring a Tally lawyer?
Below, we’ve listed our top three tips for choosing attorneys in Tallahassee, so please read on.
1. Confirm the Lawyer’s Area of Expertise
The first step to choosing the right lawyer in Tallahassee is to check if they’re experts in your case’s area of law.
There are nearly a hundred areas of law that attorneys in Tallahassee can practice. The most common include criminal, family, and personal injury laws.
Criminal laws include misdemeanor cases, such as traffic offenses and petty thefts. Felonies are more severe crimes; in Tallahassee, these include violent crimes and DUIs. If you’re facing a criminal charge, look for Tallahassee lawyers practicing criminal defense.
Family lawyers handle family issues like adoption, child abuse, divorce, and pre-nuptial agreements. They can also help with child custody and support arrangements. Others provide defense for suspects of domestic violence.
Personal injury lawyers specialize in matters relating to harm against persons and property. These include car accidents, medical negligence, wrongful death, and worker’s compensation issues. Tallahassee attorneys practicing personal injury law can serve either the defendants or plaintiffs.
2. Check Florida and Tallahassee Bar Membership Status
All practicing attorneys in Tallahassee must be Florida Bar members. To become a member, a lawyer must first get a license from the Florida Supreme Court. This license is mandatory to practice law in the Sunshine State.
One of the roles of the Florida Bar is to process and investigate complaints against its members. It subjects guilty members to disciplinary action, including reprimand, suspension, or disbarment.
The Florida Bar publishes the names of its disciplined members monthly. It also includes the types of disciplinary actions taken against the accused.
Since you’re hiring someone tasked with upholding the law, you’d want to ensure they abide by it. You can do that by checking if they have a good standing with the Florida Bar. You can call the Bar or check its online disciplinary action news.
The Tallahassee Bar Association is another excellent resource for finding Tallahassee attorneys. This local, voluntary lawyers’ association helps the public find qualified attorneys. It can also refer you to lawyers providing pro bono services.
3. Consider Legal Fee Arrangements
If you’re on a budget but can’t find a pro bono lawyer, your next best bet is to hire one offering a no-win, no-fee service. It involves a contingency fee payment agreement. In this case, you don’t have to pay lawyer fees unless the lawyer wins your case.
Find the Best Lawyers in Tallahassee Today
Here’s an extra tip: Many lawyers in Tallahassee offer free initial consultations. During this time, they discuss your legal matters at no charge to you. Take advantage of this, as it can help you decide if an attorney is a good fit for you and if they can even win your case.
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