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How do I hire a lawyer?
How do I choose a lawyer?
How do I pay a lawyer for their work?
What is a contingency fee?
What are hourly fees?
What is a flat fee?
How do I know if I need a lawyer?
You must first choose your lawyer. Then you must determine how to compensate your lawyer. Finally, you will sign a fee agreement or retainer agreement with the lawyer that will incorporate the agreement that you reach with the lawyer.
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You should choose a lawyer that you feel will represent you and your interests best. It is important that you be comfortable with your lawyer and feel that they are available for communication and consultation throughout your use of their representation. You will work closely with your lawyer dealing with important and time sensitive issues, therefore, you should choose an attorney who can communicate quickly and effectively, as well as someone who stays in reasonable contact. That lawyer should not be so busy that they fail to return your telephone calls and should be available to discuss your case with you as necessity dictates.
Many lawyers practice in limited areas of the law. Therefore, you might want to hire a lawyer whose practice covers the area of your need. With the exception of family and criminal practice, California lawyers are not permitted to represent themselves as “specialists” in most areas of law.
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Lawyers are generally paid for their work in one of the following ways:
- On an hourly basis
- On a contingency fee basis
- On a flat fee basis
- A combination of an hourly, contingency and/or flat fee basis. Each type of fee is discussed below.
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A contingency fee means that you do not pay the lawyer unless the lawyer recovers something for you. Do not confuse the fee with the costs. It is possible for a lawyer to perform his or her work for you on a contingency, however, you might still be responsible for the costs of the case. A lawyer can agree to collect no fee and no costs from you unless he or she recovers amounts sufficient to cover the costs and fees. Generally, a contingency fee is a percentage of the recovery obtained by the lawyer for you on your case.
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An hourly fee means that you agree to pay a lawyer for each hour that he or she works on your case. Generally these fees vary depending upon the nature of the work being performed and the experience level of the attorney. The hourly rate can also vary depending upon the time provided to the attorney to complete/perform the work required. The hourly rate can also vary depending upon the volume of work that is provided by the client to the lawyer or law firm.
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A flat fee is a fixed amount for a designated amount of work or for an entire project. A flat fee can be mixed with other fees. For example, you could pay a flat fee for a lawyer to investigate your case and then an hourly fee following the initial investigation.
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If you need to sue someone or someone has sued you, then you probably need to at least consult with a lawyer. Many lawyers will meet with you to discuss your need for services and to determine whether their services are actually warranted without charging you for their time. This free consultation will depend upon the nature of the review and the amount of time required by the lawyer to answer your questions.
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Silldorf | Levine, LLP will meet with prospective clients to discuss their needs without charge or obligation to the client.
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