Quick and Easy Tips for Legal Help
This guide has some quick and easy steps to help you find the help you need.
Searching for a Lawyer
The answers that can help you decide which lawyer is right for you are just a few clicks away. Check out this section if you need to find out more information about a lawyer.
30-Minute Interview
Whether you are talking with an attorney to figure out whether you want to hire him or her, or if you are talking to an attorney through a lawyer referral service, this section has some tips to help.
Taking the Case
When you decide that the best solution to your problem is through the law, and you want to sit down with the attorney that you think is right for the job, this section offers some helpful questions you may want to ask.
Starting Your Search
Before starting your search, you may want to consider whether you need an attorney. Not every problem has a legal remedy.
Consider how you hope to resolve the problem. Knowing whether you need an attorney and knowing what you hope to achieve by contacting an attorney can make your search for a solution easier.
Once you decide you need an attorney, here are some questions to help you narrow your search.
Where do I look for an attorney?
All attorneys who are members of the State Bar of Arizona are listed on the State Bar's Web site. An easy way to find an attorney is to use our "Find a Lawyer" feature.
You can narrow your search by searching for an attorney in a certain city, or an attorney who works in a certain area of law.
Both the Pima County Bar Association and the Maricopa County Bar Association offer a lawyer referral program. The lawyer referral programs are an opportunity to consult with an attorney for 30 minutes for a $35 or $45 fee.
What should I find out about an attorney?
The Find a Lawyer tool on the State Bar of Arizona Web site will provide you with important information. Here are some things to keep in mind as your search for the right attorney for you.
- Practice Area: The types of cases that the attorney takes.
- Location of office: Is this location close to you?
- Specialist Area: An attorney who is a specialist has done extra training and taken an exam in a certain area of law.
- Law School: What law school did the attorney graduate from?
- Discipline Record: If someone has filed a complaint against the attorney, you will be able to view the records online or call the State Bar to review the file.
- Standing: Whether the attorney is a current member of the State Bar of Arizona. Only current members can practice law.
- Licensed Area: Locations where the attorney is licensed to practice law
What else can I do to solve my problem?
Some problems can be better solved without going to court. Alternative Dispute Resolution options such as mediation and arbitration may be a better alternative.
Call the State Bar of Arizona at 602.340.7226 to request an Alternative Dispute Resolution brochure.
30-Minute Interview
You have researched an attorney and found someone who you think may be able to help or you have a 30-minute consultation with an attorney.
I only have 30 minutes with an attorney, what should I bring?
When you only have a short time to talk with an attorney, getting paperwork and information together before meeting with the attorney could save you some time. Here are some things to have ready when you speak with an attorney:
- Paperwork: Find and bring any paperwork for your legal issue. For example, if you are concerned about debt collection, you may want to have your credit card bills with you.
- Goals: What do you hope to get out of the case?
- Issue: If you can only have one problem solved in 30 minutes, what problem would you pick? Is there one specific problem that caused other problems to happen?
What should I ask the attorney?
When you have a short time to talk with an attorney, you may want to find out whether you have a problem that can be solved through the courts and whether you need an attorney to help you. Here are some questions to keep in mind:
1) Do you think I need an attorney, or can I handle this myself?
2) Is there a legal solution to my case?
3) What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
4) What are the possible outcomes of my case?
5) For my legal issue, is there a deadline when I need to file a case in court?
6) How long will it take to resolve my case?
7) How much experience do you have handling cases like mine?
Taking the Case
You're ready to pick an attorney to help you. Before you hire the attorney, you may want to find out some other information.
How much will my case cost?
The way attorneys charge for their work can change depending on the type of case. Once you understand how much your case may cost, you can better decide whether you want to start the case. Here are some questions to ask your attorney about his or her fees.
1) What kind of fees do you charge in cases like mine?
2) If the attorney charges a certain amount per hour (hourly fee):
- How much do you charge per hour?
- How many hours do you think my case will take?
- What will happen if my case takes more or less time than you thought?
3) If the attorney charges a total fee (flat or fixed fee):
- How much time do cases like mine typically take?
- What happens if my case settles?
- What happens if my case take more time than you thought?
4) If the attorney gets a percentage of the amount if you win your case (contingent fee):
- How much money do you think I may win?
- How do you figure out your percentage?
- What percentage do most lawyers charge for this type of case?
- What happens if my case settles?
5) What can I do to lower my costs?
How will my case work?
When you hire an attorney, it is like starting a relationship. You may want to find out how you and your attorney will handle your case. Here are some questions to keep in mind.
1) How do you think we should handle my case?
2) How will you update me about my case?
3) Will someone other than you work on my case?
4) If we lose this case, what does that mean?
5) What can I do to help you on my case?
Helpful Websites
Maricopa County Bar Association
www.maricopabar.org
Pima County Bar Association
www.pimacountybar.org
Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education
www.AZLawHelp.org
Supreme Court of Arizona
www.supreme.state.az.us
Maricopa County Superior Court
www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov
Pima County Superior Court
www.sc.pima.gov
Arizona Attorney General
www.azag.gov