We have all been there- you hire a professional as an expert to guide you and then instantly regret it. Either the professional overpromised, or didn't have the background/experience you had hoped for.

Most of the regret can be avoided by asking the correct questions ahead of time in order to weed out those who aren't a good fit.

The same recommendations apply for individuals and businesses who hire lawyers- what should you look out for and what questions are "good" questions to ask.

These questions are specific to employment law, but can apply to most areas of practice:

(1) How much of your practice is dedicated to employment law?

Many lawyers practice in many areas at once (personal injury, general business, real estate, etc). You don’t go to a dermatologist for your cardiology needs, so make sure to retain an employment lawyer who focuses at least 70% of his/her practice on employment law. I only handle employment law cases and do not practice in any other area of the law. I am happy to refer those matters out to attorneys who specialize in those other practice areas.

(2) Do you represent the employee or the employer?

Employment attorneys typically focus on representation of either the employee or the employer, to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Also, the attorney is better able to identify and address internal company deficiencies if it customarily works with and negotiates on behalf of businesses.

(3) Have you litigated cases?

An attorney with litigation experience typically has a better understanding of how different disputes in the workplace will plays out in court

(4) How often should I expect to receive an update?

Make sure you aren't left in the dark regarding the status of your issue. Your attorney should update you regularly and provide an estimate on the timeline of your matter/issue.

(5) Are you charging a flat rate, hourly rate or contingency fee?

Have a clear understanding on whether the lawyer is charging
you a flat rate, hourly rate or contingency fee for the legal services

Have questions? Send me an e-mail.

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Disclaimer: The information on this website is for educational purposes only. The information does not constitute legal advice, and does not create an attorney client relationship with Karly Wannos, The Wannos Law Firm, P.A. or any other attorney employed by the firm. Karly Wannos is licensed to practice law in Florida only, and the information presented on this channel applies to Florida and Federal law only and is not otherwise state specific. Please consult with an attorney before making any important business related decisions. The contents of this post are owned by Karly Wannos, and cannot be duplicated or replicated without her express written permission. May be deemed an attorney advertisement.