My
law school class of 2023 has about 300 students. However, just because we will all
graduate with a Juris Doctor from Stetson does not mean that we as attorneys
will all be the same. The field of law is incredibly diverse and the career
paths are endless. I know some attorneys who have never stepped foot in a
courtroom since getting their degree. You can work in academia, work in the
private or public sector, work for a non-profit, or work your way to becoming a
judge.
Practice
areas for attorneys are incredibly diverse as well. An attorney can practice
everything from Animal Law, to Civil Rights Law, to Intellectual Property Law. Even
Cannabis Law is up-and-coming in the legal world. Some
attorneys, like Marcie, specialize in Workers’ Comp, and the professor that I
am a research assistant for specializes in Constitutional Law. For me, I am hoping to pursue a career in
Criminal Law, with a focus on International Law and Civil Rights. Some
attorneys specialize in Family Law, others in Constitutional Law, some in
Personal Injury Law, and many other areas.
Due
to the diversity in our profession, it is incredibly important that when
seeking an attorney for your needs you find one with experience, and someone
who specializes in the practice area that you are seeking help in. It is not as
easy as running a google search and selecting the first hit that pops up. Just
as you wouldn’t want a renowned French chef to cater your Taco Tuesday party, you
wouldn’t want an attorney who specializes in Aviation Law to handle your
divorce. Finding the right attorney requires time, research, and “shopping” for
the attorney that can best meet your needs.
So
what makes a good attorney? A few important qualities to look for are honesty,
objectivity, understanding, and effective communication. You want an attorney
who is going to pursue a professional relationship by seeking all of the facts
and willing to seek the truth at all costs. They should be a good listener who
can clearly understand your goals and be responsive in a way that shows they
heard your concerns and are working to effectively address them.
Here
are some key things to consider when selecting an attorney:
1.) Find an attorney that is familiar
with the area that you live in. You wouldn’t want an
attorney from Miami to represent you on a claim that concerns something in
Wesley Chapel.
2.) Expect that your attorney will be a
good communicator. You should not have to reach out for
updates, but should instead be one step ahead, always keeping you up to date on
matters involving your case. Also, your attorney should be able to effectively
explain you case to you in ways that you understand and be able to answer all
of your questions to the best of their ability.
3.) Ensure that the attorney has the
right experience for your claim. You don’t want to hire
an attorney that specializes in Estate Planning when the problem you are
seeking help with concerns Personal Injury.
4.) Interview potential attorneys.
Many attorneys, like Marcie Baker, offer a free consultation. Sitting down and
conducting these “interviews” will allow you to decide if this attorney is best
fit for you and you can evaluate if they have the time and passion to handle
your claim accordingly.
5.) Finally, trust your gut. Your attorney should be someone that you feel comfortable discussing personal matters with and make you feel confident that they truly care about your case. Don’t settle for the first attorney you find, but instead find one who you feel satisfies your needs and will be the best advocate for you.
Marcie specializes in
Family Law, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, and Workers’ Compensation. She has years of
experience in all three fields and zealously works to be the best advocate that
she can be for her clients. She would love to discuss a case you have in any of
these fields during one of our free consultations. If you feel that she may be
a good fit for you, please use our contact information below to set up a
meeting.
**The opinions expressed in this blog are completely
my own. I have listed sources for topics that I referenced, but none of the
material written constitutes legal advice. You should always contact an
attorney before proceeding with any legal issues you may have.***
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