How Do You Hire a Lawyer Online?
The best way to hire a lawyer online is to review different lawyers in your area and decide which ones you think would be best for your specific situation. Once you’ve narrowed it down, schedule a virtual consultation with each possible lawyer by emailing or calling them to ask for a meeting. In this consultation, you can ask questions to ensure that you hire the best representative for your case. Here are some questions you should consider asking when meeting with an attorney online:
- How many years of experience do you have in this area of the law?
- Have you handled cases like mine before?
- Do you have clients similar to me or my business?
- What types of clients do you work with mainly?
- What are your typical fees?
- Will you be leaving my case to a paralegal or legal assistant, or will you be handling this case yourself?
- Will you keep me in the loop as progress is made on my case, and if so, how often should I expect to hear from you?
- Are you able to guarantee security throughout our online relationship?
If you meet with more than one attorney, see who makes you feel the most confident and comfortable based on their answers. Before scheduling an appointment, do a little research into the lawyer you are about to contact and make sure their background is compatible with your case needs. This can save you a lot of time in the long run.
Take a look at this website for resources to help you find a lawyer online.
Challenges of the Law Online and How to Resolve Them
Going virtual with a lawyer can be done safely and securely as long as you and your lawyer are aware of the challenges of getting legal counsel online. Here are some common challenges that come up with hiring lawyers online and what you can do to ensure you don’t fall victim to them:
- Confidentiality: The internet is not always a safe space. Confidentiality remains the most important part of your client-lawyer relationship. While you may communicate by email or through a virtual meeting, at no point should any legal information be shared via social media or any other insecure network. Your attorney should be well aware of this and take the necessary steps to ensure your safety and security. If an attorney ever asks for your personal information via a social channel, decline the request and insist on email instead.
- Jurisdiction: Your location and your lawyer’s location play a vital role in their ability to represent you. Before you move forward with a lawyer or submit payment, be sure your lawyer is advised of your exact location and the locations that may be related to your case. To learn more about legal challenges concerning jurisdiction, read this article .
- Social media legal advice: While a lawyer may advertise their services online, they are required to follow strict solicitation and advertisement laws by including a disclaimer. However, it is increasingly difficult to do so in a Twitter post or Facebook comment. Lawyers may offer examples of legal counsel online, but this should not be taken as legal advice. Every situation is different. To ensure that you are getting proper legal counsel for your case, meet with the lawyer to discuss your specific situation. What you see online is an example, not free advice you should follow.
The Bottom Line
In essence, hiring lawyers online isn’t much different from hiring them in person. However, though there are many conveniences, at no time should an unqualified person offer you legal advice. A proper attorney is licensed to practice law and simply offers a virtual option. In today’s day and age, virtual meetings are increasingly important. To ensure you go through the process safely and securely, stick to the rules outlined above, and make sure you are comfortable with your attorney before you hire them.
To find an online attorney to represent you, click here.
