Are you looking for an employment lawyer?
If yes, there’s a good chance you’re facing an employment-related issue. Perhaps you were fired from work and you feel or have reason to believe that you were wrongfully terminated. Or perhaps you’re facing some form of workplace discrimination or your employer has violated a contract agreement you had.
Regardless of the issue you’re facing, there’s no doubt hiring an employment lawyer is the right move. But with so many of these lawyers around, it can be difficult to find the right kind of attorney for your needs.
That’s the whole point of this article. Continue reading to learn what you need to consider to find the best employment attorney.
Know the Kind of Employment Lawyer You Need
Generally speaking, there are two kinds of employment lawyers: those who represent employers and those who represent employees.
It’s possible to find employment lawyers who don’t work with either group exclusively, but what you need is an attorney who either works for employees if you’re an employee or employers if you’re an employer.
This way, you can rest assured that there won’t be instances of conflict of interest. An attorney who’s used to working for employers might naturally not be in a position to put your interests first if you’re an employee. For example, if you want to take your employer to court because of a contract violation, a lawyer who’s used to defending employers might not be in the best position to defend you.
Ensure the Employment Lawyer Is Licensed
Once you have established the kind of attorney you need, the next step is to create a list of about 5 attorneys.
The big question is: where do you get the name to populate this list?
Simple. Start by getting recommendations from the people around you. If you know someone who has used the services of an employment attorney in the past, reach out to them and ask about their experience. If they had a positive experience, they’ll have no problem recommending you to the attorney.
Another effective way to get some names of employment attorneys is to go online and search. A simple “top employment attorney near me” search will summon a page with links to the websites of some of the top-rated lawyers in your area.
After creating the list, the first thing is to get in touch with each of the lawyer and enquire whether they’re licensed to practice in your state.
A lawyer should don’t just tell you “yes, I’m licensed to practice in State X or Y.” They should give you’re their licensing information and you should be able to verify it with your state’s Bar.
You might not know it, but there are some people who’re going around posing as lawyers. They’ll ask you to pay a consultation fee and as soon as you do, they’ll disappear into thin hair.
Consider Attorney Experience
Naturally, you want an experienced employment attorney, but this will depend on what’s at stake. If you’re looking for simple employment advice, you can make do with an employment attorney who doesn’t have much experience. However, if there’s a lot at stake, such as your job, you need a vastly experienced attorney representing you.
As such, it’s prudent to ask the lawyers on your list about the number of years they’ve been in the practice. You also want to look at the number of similar cases a lawyer has handled.
For example, if you’re dealing with a contract violation, you need an employment attorney who has taken on several contract cases. Look at the outcomes of these cases. At the very least, you want an attorney who has a track record of winning cases on behalf of their clients.
Solo Attorney vs Law Firm
When you’re looking for an employment attorney, you’ll come across those who’re in solo practice, as well as those who work in a law firm.
Which of these lawyers should you choose?
A lot will depend on the nature of your issue. If it’s a simple case that a single lawyer can handle, then you can go ahead and hire a solo attorney.
However, if it’s a complex case that will need the input of a team of lawyers, you’re better off hiring a law firm or a lawyer who works in a well-established law firm. From looking at the website of the lawyers on your list, you should be able to tell whether an attorney works solo or has a big firm.
Evaluate Professional Reputation
You shouldn’t hire an employment attorney, or any other attorney for that matter, solely based on their professional experience and occupational licensure. It’s also important to consider their professional reputation.
A reputable lawyer is one who treats clients with respect and communicates openly. This is the kind of lawyer you want by your side when you’re facing an employment-related issue.
To evaluate the reputation of an attorney, go online and look up their reviews. If an attorney offers poor services, you’ll find that they have a trail of negative online reviews. On the other hand, a lawyer with a solid reputation will have high ratings and lots of positive reviews.
Hire the Best Employment Lawyer
Whether you’re an employee or an employer, you’re entitled to an employment lawyer when you need one. With this guide, you now have all the information you need to evaluate a handful of employment attorneys and find the best.
All the best and keep reading our legal blog for more helpful tips.
