Lawyers can provide a range of services. Some offer free legal help to people in certain situations. Other attorneys charge by the hour. They often work with clients on a referral basis.

Many attorney referral agencies exist to assist the public. Some focus on particular fields of law, such as animal law. Some also have pro bono programs.

Free or low-cost legal help

There are many ways to find free or low-cost legal help. Many people find the best place to start is by asking friends, family and co-workers if they have any recommendations. They may also want to check databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which have information about attorney experience, education and disciplinary records.

Some communities have free or low-cost legal advice clinics, where you can talk with a lawyer about your case for 15-30 minutes for a small fee. However, these lawyers do not represent you in court or file legal papers.

In addition, there are several not-for-profit law firms that provide free legal assistance to individuals and families in New York. These programs can help with cases involving domestic violence, financial counseling and immigration protection. They also assist with housing problems like eviction proceedings, mortgage and foreclosure issues and landlord-tenant disputes. They can even help with utility and heating disputes to prevent illegal disconnections.

Find an experienced attorney

If you need to find an attorney for a legal issue, the most important thing is to find one with experience in the type of case you are facing. A lawyer with extensive experience will be able to apply sophisticated technical skills and provide strategic advice that can save you money in the long run.

In addition to the skills learned in law school, attorneys need good communication skills to explain complicated issues in simple terms. They also need the ability to analyze a large amount of information and identify what is relevant to each particular case. They often use research tools to keep up with changes in the law, judicial decisions and trends.

A great way to find a knowledgeable lawyer is to ask for recommendations from family, friends and co-workers. You can also find out about an attorney’s experience by consulting a database of attorney reviews and ratings or searching for a lawyer with a local bar association directory.

Flat or “fixed” fees

Flat fees are a great option for small business owners who need to work with an attorney on one specific project such as trademarking a logo or filing paperwork. This fee arrangement provides price certainty for the client and helps to avoid surprises in a case.

However, flat fees can also be challenging for law firms. In order to set a fair fee, the law firm needs to be able to accurately estimate the time and resources that will be needed for each matter. This can be difficult when handling cases that are not as routine, such as litigation.

For this reason, it’s important for flat fee attorneys to invest in technology that can help them work more efficiently. This may include document automation, legal practice management software and tools that streamline communications. For example, implementing an attorney time tracking system can eliminate costly errors and increase efficiency for both the lawyer and staff. This can help the firm deliver services for a competitive cost and create a better client-centered experience.

Referrals

Attorneys listed here have received referrals from other attorneys or have earned a reputation for their work on high profile cases. However, these listings should not be considered a recommendation and conducting further investigation is recommended. While many of these attorneys have had multi-million dollar settlements, past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in future matters. Attorneys may also offer flexible service for some legal matters, including online or phone consultations and some court appearances without the need to make an in-person office visit.