How To Find a General Civil Litigation Attorney

Use these links to jump to different sections:

• Finding Your General Litigator
• What Is Litigation?
• Questions for a General Litigation Attorney
• Finding the Right Attorney for Your Needs

Filing a lawsuit in a court of law can be a daunting procedure. Civil litigation attorneys are your guides and advocates throughout this lengthy, stressful process. Finding an attorney that’s the right fit for your case is no easy task, but it’s necessary if you want to secure the best possible settlement.

The good news is that there are more resources than ever to put you in touch with a capable attorney. This article covers three of the most effective ways to begin your attorney search.

Finding Your General Litigator

Suppose you were walking down an aisle at the supermarket and slipped on a patch of water. There is no sign indicating the floor is slippery. If you’ve suffered an injury from the fall, you might have a cause of action for a personal injury lawsuit.

Finding the right attorney to meet your legal needs throughout the litigation process can seem daunting, especially when recovering from an injury. But these methods make the search easier. Consider using them as you begin:

Referrals

You likely know someone who has worked with a general litigation attorney. Your family and friends can be an excellent resource for finding a capable, experienced litigator. Ask others about their experiences and gather testimonials about which attorneys or law firms they used and why. Were they happy with their attorney’s performance? If so, it might be worthwhile to find that attorney’s contact information and set up a consultation.

State Bar Associations

Another great way to find attorneys is through local state bar associations. Search the internet for state bar associations. These websites include databases of local attorneys. From there, you can find lawyers that you believe might be able to meet your needs.

Third-Party Databases

Searching for legal advice is time-consuming—those wanting to forgo the hassle turn to third-party services like Super Lawyers. Consider using Super Lawyers to ease your search and get in contact with the right lawyer for you today.

To help you get started searching for a general litigation lawyer, follow this link to the Super Lawyers directory and use the search box to find a lawyer based on your legal issue or location.

Begin Contacting Attorneys and Attend Free Consultations

Now that you’ve taken some time to research attorneys, you can start contacting them to set up consultations. Consultations are initial meetings with potential attorneys where you discuss your case. These meetings are often free and can be a terrific way to narrow down your selection.

What Is Litigation?

Litigation is the process in which legal disputes are carried out. People who have suffered harm and wish to recoup their losses often file civil lawsuits against the parties that allegedly committed the harm. This is where a general civil litigation lawyer can help.

Civil litigators are exposed to a variety of practice areas and legal issues. Lawsuits can be filed for many reasons, including personal injury, product liability, protection of intellectual property, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. General litigation attorneys must have knowledge of the law in their client’s case.

Note that this area is separate from criminal law. If you face criminal charges, you should seek counsel from criminal lawyers, not litigators.

A General Litigator’s Educational Path

Before they can handle civil cases and practice at a law firm, litigators must receive quite a bit of schooling. This means earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university before enrolling in law school and obtaining a law degree, known as a juris doctorate. Law students embarking on a legal career are trained in performing legal research and educated in various practice areas. Upon earning their doctorate, they are only allowed to practice law once they pass a competency exam and are admitted to a state bar.

Questions for a General Litigation Attorney

Free consultations are an excellent resource for both attorney and client because it allows the attorney to hear the facts of the case while the client can determine if the attorney meets their needs.

The best way to decide whether an attorney is the right fit is by asking informed questions. Here are some good questions to ask during your initial conversations:

• Why did you choose a legal career in advocacy?
• How much do you charge, and which types of billing structures do you offer?
• Do you have experience with legal issues similar to my own?
• What is the likelihood of a settlement given the facts of my case?
• Are you a trial lawyer, or do you have any trial experience?
• Do you have experience with alternative forms of dispute resolution such as arbitration or mediation?
• What are the full range of legal services you offer?

Finding the Right Attorney for Your Needs

It is essential to approach the right type of attorney—someone who can help you through your entire case. To do so, you can visit the Super Lawyers directory and use the search box to find a lawyer based on your legal issue or location. To help you get started, you may want to consider looking for a lawyer who specializes in general litigation.