For people in need of a lawyer, an attorney directory is a great place to start their search. Unlike the traditional print yellow pages or print legal directories, an on-line attorney directory will offer a quick, convenient method for the general public to access an abundance of information about lawyers. Because internet technology makes it possible to conduct a wide-ranging search using only a few keystrokes, searching an attorney directory on the internet is a breeze. Many directories sort lawyers into various specialty practice areas of the legal law including family law, immigration, personal injury or even criminal defense. This allows a person to search for an attorney by location, specialty or by type of law. Doing so gives the client a more expansive range of possible choices.
As previously mentioned, searching an attorney directory on the internet is a great tool for clients and potential lawyers. In addition to the volume of relevant information about lawyers, the interface allows clients to refine their search by focusing on key words or area of expertise. For example, a family lawyer may be listed under “fishing” or “domestic violence.” Asking a question such as “What law firms do you prefer?” could lead to a list of law firms that specialize in a particular area of the legal system, allowing the individual to narrow down his/her search.
Other features of an attorney directory to allow users to find qualified attorneys by location. For example, a legal practitioner located in a small town nearby a major city or within a large state may be more likely to have qualified legal advice for a client. Similarly, a person who lives in New York City but needs legal advice from a New Jersey attorney may use the attorney directory to find qualified counsel.
In addition to helping clients find qualified attorneys, many attorney directories also provide valuable information about specific areas of the legal system. In addition to general information about attorneys, some directories also feature rankings based upon the experience of lawyers with a certain type of law. For example, the ABA’s “ABAbenchmark” provides a ranking based on the number of trials an attorney has tried and won. In addition to searching by location, the “ABA Rankings” will provide search results that include information about the success of attorneys in different types of cases.
Another useful feature of an attorney directory is the availability of research tools. A checklist designed to help clients understand the typical costs associated with a specific type of legal practice is often available on many sites. Likewise, some sites allow the user to perform a cost comparison between different law firms, to show the extent to which a given firm is expensive or affordable. A tool that allows users to enter specific information about a legal practice is also often found on many directories. These allow users to identify whether a certain firm has sufficient experience to meet a particular client’s needs.
In order to locate an attorney directory that provides the information you need, your first step should be to determine what type of legal practice you want to pursue. If your goal is to provide legal assistance to beginners, then you should choose a firm that focuses primarily on this field. For example, a site that features “financial law” would not be particularly helpful to someone seeking basic legal assistance, such as filing a lawsuit. Therefore, the type of firm you choose will depend on the services you intend to provide to your clients.
Once you have decided on the type of firm you wish to operate, you will want to learn how to make the most of your Attorney Directory. One way to do this is to select a site that offers helpful customer testimonials. These should be written by actual clients of the service provider you are considering. They should provide insight into how the service was provided, and what they would have done differently if they had the opportunity to use the attorney directory at the same service provider provided them. A testimonial from a satisfied client is the best way to know if a service is good enough to recommend to other potential clients.
Finally, you will want to learn how to make the most of your Attorney Directory by reviewing the contact information provided for each firm within your directory. Are the attorneys listed in alphabetical order? Are there links to telephone numbers or websites for additional information? By closely examining the format and information provided by the different attorneys listed, you can learn how to make the most of your lawyer directory and find the right lawyer for you.