Interview Questions For A Lawyer

If when you need a lawyer you open the phone book and just pick a lawyer to represent you then you are setting yourself up to fail. Having to deal with lawyers and the court system is very stressful. It is so stressful that we just want to get the process over with. We don't think of the future impact of out current actions.

Interview Questions For A Lawyer

I am not saying don't use the phone book. You should use whatever resources are available to find the best lawyer to represent you. I am saying, don't choose one just be he or she was recommended by a friend, or because you saw an advertisement..

The first step in choosing a good lawyer is knowing the specialty of law you need representation for. Once you know if it criminal, DUI, probate, real estate, or a myriad of other specialties, then you can develop a list or lawyers to interview. Once you have made a list of potential lawyers, you will want to make appointments to interview them. The are any number of questions to ask any potential attorney, here are a few questions that will help you determine whether or not they are the right attorney to represent you in your case.

1. How long have they been practicing?
2. Are they a member of the local bar association?
3. How long have they lived locally?
4. Have they ever had a disciplinary proceeding brought against them? If so, what for?
5. How long have they been practicing the specialty of law that you need?
6. What is their win loss ratio?
7. Can you speak to any of the clients they have worked with previously?
8. Are they going through a life crisis like a divorce or bankruptcy?
9. Is my case winnable? And, how would you define a win for this case?
10. How long would you estimate the case will take to complete?
11. Do you put your fee structure in writing?
12. Do you hate loosing?
13. What is your relationship like with local law enforcement, attorneys and judges?
14. Will you be handling my case or will another attorney or law clerk?
15. How often will you communicate with me about the case?

These are just some of the questions you should ask before you hire an attorney. Have a list ready. Remember you are interviewing him not the other way around. Many lawyers would like you to believe that they choose the cases. Many try to make you think they are doing you a favor by representing you. If the lawyer you are interviewing acts that way, politely move on to the next interview. There are many lawyers in the world today. There is no need to stick with one that is arrogant. I hope you have found this useful.

A Lawyer's Typical Day

A lawyer is a person who is authorized by the state or country to practice law, give advice to his or her clients and represent their legal matters in the courts. According to classes or ranks of jurists lawyers can be designated as advocate, attorney, barrister, counselor and solicitor. A lawyer has to study law and new laws on a regular basis to stay up to date in order to protect their clients. This is the basics of a career in law, protecting your client's freedoms and rights.

A Lawyer's Typical Day

A Day In The Life Of A Lawyer.

1. Get ready to travel: Lawyers spend most of their time in offices and courtrooms. They travel to meet their clients wherever they are and homes, business places, even emergency rooms in hospitals and state or federal prisons can be a fairly regular visit depending on which area of the law a lawyer is involved. They also travel different places for meetings and to gather proof or evidence for their case that they can submit to the courts, legislative bodies, or to other high authorities of the law.

2. Irregular work hours may be the norm: Lawyers quite often have irregular work schedules and even work for several hours in discussing with clients or preparing the briefs of the case during non office hours.

3. Back to the studying board: A lawyer is also known as an attorney who acts both as an advocate and an advisor in society. The advocates represent one of their clients in criminal or civil trials by arguing and presenting evidence to the court to protect their client. On the other hand the advisors give advice to their clients regarding their business and legal personal matters. All the lawyers, whether an advocate or an advisor, have to research the purpose of laws and judicial decisions to apply them in the critical circumstances faced by their clients. The most important aspect is that a lawyer's job depends very much upon his or her own field of specialization and position. All this requires continual studying.

Types of Lawyers:

There are allot of areas to specialize in as a lawyer. This list is not exhaustive but covers some of the most popular fields you'll be able to specialize into if becoming a lawyer.

Immigration lawyer, wrongful death, traffic, tax, software, social security, securities, personal injury lawyers, patent, nursing home, mesothelioma, medical malpractice, malpractice, litigation, international, insurance, injury, fraud, employment, dwi, dui, divorce, defense, criminal, construction, corporate, compensation, car accident, bankruptcy, auto accident, assault and asbestos lawyers.

How to Become a Lawyer

To become a lawyer you'll have to attend law school via a college or university after your high school studies. There are some online law schools that offer the full Juris Doctor [JD] programs which do not require taking the law school admission test [LSAT]. It is not necessary to quit your job to become a lawyer. There are special JD programs for those students who are interested in working at the same time as pursuing their education in their spare time.

How Does Law Affect Us?

Although we all have an understanding of what law is, and generally why it's appropriate that it should be in place to serve and regulate our conduct in society, we seldom think of what law actually means in an everyday context. What is law for the average Joe in the street? How does law impact on our lives from day to day? Indeed, is the law a distant concept with which we find it hard to relate? In this article we will look at some of the fundamental ways law operates in society, in addition to the nature of the law as we know it.

Law Affect

For some people, they feel as though the law is there merely to protect their interests, and that they have no need for daily interaction. However, they assume that if the day comes where their behaviour is called into question, the law will operate, the course of justice will be run, and the will of the people will be fulfilled. This is perhaps a naïve interpretation of the function of law, and indeed the way it operates in our lives throughout the day. For instance, at the top level we have the constitution, establishing parameters within which the government can and cannot act to protect the citizens of our nation. That has an overwhelming effect on the way in which our government and indeed our country is run, which has a knock on effect on everything we do throughout the day and how we do it. Even at a local level, the law interacts with the services we are provided, the jobs we work and pretty much everything to do with the lives we lead. A distant concept? I don't think so.

The law does not just operate in criminal spheres, nor is it confined to merely constitutional matters and the distribution of power. Law is a significantly more sophisticated tool in the orchestration of the day-to-day organisation of society, through regulating not only personal conduct but also the way we act in business situations. Take for example the everyday task of boarding a train. The law regulates many aspects of this feat: (1) the criminal law and the constitution permits us to board public transport. (2) The constitution permits us to make contract with another. (3) The laws of contract permit us to form a contract for transport with the train company, and ensure that that contract is fulfilled. (4) The laws of contract and tort allow us to board without fear of injury, or with remedy should the worst happen. Finally the law of ownership and currency allows us to hand over money in consideration for this service, which is of value to the other contracting party. In fact, the law regulates just about everything we do, and is vital in doing so to ensure the smooth running of community and every aspect of our lives.

The law is not some abstract notion that can and will protect us when we need to rely on it. The law is an integral part of democratic life, and something which regulates our conduct, and in essence allows us to act according to our own desires within reason. Some may think the law is too restrictive in certain areas, but it works. The law serves its function as regulating our behaviour very well, and if it doesn't? We can change it.

The fact is, law has been an important part of society since it began, with implied legal and social orders and boundaries that could not be crossed. Today, it is a sophisticated network of guidelines and regulations which is adapted to shape the way we live our lives from one day to the next. There is no doubt that the law is important to the citizen, and plays a profound impact on the lives of the people on a daily basis.

Legal Systems

Long times ago, since humans gradually settled a little group to help each other survive in this world. In each group of human, there was a leader who controlled and managed the group. When the problem had occurred he or she must judged and make a decision to solve the problems. The times past, a little group had became a larger group, groups had become a society. In the other word, society is a big community which containing many groups of people. As you can see, people started to have complicated connection while they had connected across the group. A leader's decision was not enough to judge the people. So, they had to find out another strategy to fix this problem which seem likes more and more out of control.

Legal Systems

 Therefore, caused leader's decision cannot used as a standard in the society. They created a simple rules to control people's behavior by we did not have to wait for the wrong act to be done. This could be helpful to prevent people who was going to have a wrong doing. This simple rules might be different in other local area. It was depends on tradition or convention in each area for the comfort of the judge to adapt this rule in each case. They had also drafted the punishment in each case. Punishment was an essential element of the rules because people frightened the punishments, so they must realize to control their behavior to avoid the punishment. This is the beginning of the law.

Every decisions of the judge had record and reused for another case. The decision had become standard of the judge to justify the case. And this was the beginning of "Common Law" system.

When the time past, the simple rules still have a lot of gaps people learnt to use this gap to avoid sanction. So, the result was an obstacle in society when this simple rule cannot control people.

After that, administrators who govern the society started to draft the law which containing punishments, sanction and rules that covered all of the case.

So, the simple rules had been written in the code. When the judge had to justify each case, they can use this code instead of the simple rules which was unwritten law. This was the beginning of "Civil Law" system. The judge can makes the decision by refer to the articles in the code.

Legal Tips For Renters

There are some important things to remember when renting a property. Many landlords put illegal provisions into their contracts. It is illegal to include provisions that waive the tenets rights under the landlord tenet act, to include provisions that force tenets to pay the landlord's attorney fees, to seize their property, or to enter the rental property without proper notice. Specifically, the landlord must provide two days notice to a tenet before entering the rental property and cannot abuse the privilege to harass a tenet.

Legal Tips For Renters

Tenets have a right to defend themselves in court that cannot be waived by a contract. Tenets cannot be locked out of apartments even if they are behind on rent, likewise they cannot shut off utilities for the same reason. Landlords cannot retaliate for legal actions against them. Landlords have a responsibility to provide numerous benefits to tenets, and if they fail to provide these things tenets can sue. These things include locks on doors, garbage cans, and keep the property free of pests such as termites and rats. The must keep the property weather-tight and maintain equipment and facilities so that they are of similar repair as when the tenet moved in. If you feel any of your rights have been violated, consult your leasing contract and an attorney. You may also wish to contact other tenets who believe their rights have been violated. A lawsuit might be more substantial with additional plaintiffs, and it allows additional financial resources to be brought to bear in financial the case.

Child Custody Laws

Normally, the judge deciding child custody matters will consider the parents' wishes, the child's wishes, the relationship of the child to his siblings or others with whom he has contact, the child's likely adjustment to home, school, and community, and the mental and physical health of all individuals involved. The judge will also consider any past acts of domestic violence.

Child Custody Laws

The parents' religious practices Normally, the judge deciding child custody matters will consider the parents' wishes, the child's wishes, the relationship of the child to his siblings or others with whom he has contact, the child's likely adjustment to home, school, and community, and the mental and physical health of all individuals involved. The judge will also consider any past acts of domestic violence.

The parents' religious practices The parents' religious practices may be considered - if those beliefs or practices are harmful to the child (for example, refusing appropriate medical treatment). You do have some rights under child custody laws though.

The parents' sexual behavior The parents' sexual behavior might be considered if the behavior is considered damaging to the child - for example, having sexual relations in front of the child. Normally, the fact the one parent is homosexual will not affect that parent's right to custody, but in light of the discretion that judges have in making custody awards, you should ask a local lawyer whether this fact is considered significant by judges in your county.

May child custody be awarded to a non-parent? Custody may be awarded to a non-parent, but there is a strong presumption that the child should be with a parent. Judges have sometimes awarded custody to a stepparent. If you have questions about child custody laws, contact a divorce attorney near you.

A Brief Introduction to Patent Law

When a person invents something, there is an inherent risk that their invention will be copied by others. If it is copied, the rewards (financial or otherwise) for having invented the item may be enjoyed by someone other than the inventor. Prior to the introduction of patents, this risk was prevalent and inventors were often discouraged from their pursuits. To reassure inventors that their ideas would be safe from those who would steal them, the government established patent laws that protected inventors' rights. In this article, we'll explain what a patent is, how they work and what an inventor can do in the event his patent is violated.

A Brief Introduction to Patent Law

What Is A Patent?

A patent is a legal document that protects an invention from being used, copied, or manufactured by anyone other than the inventor (unless express permission is granted by the inventor). This protection lasts for a predetermined period of time. Once a patent expires, the invention loses its protection. There are 3 main types of patents: utility, design and plant patents. Utility patents protect inventions that involve machines, processes and biological or chemical compositions of matter. Design patents cover the aesthetic or ornamental design of articles of manufacture. Plant patents grant rights to anyone who has discovered (or created) a new plant by means of asexual reproduction.

The most common type of patent applied for and granted is the utility patent. If granted, they offer protection for 20 years (beginning from the application date). Design and plant patents are far less common. Design patents grant protection for 14 years while plant patents offer protection for 20 years.

The only person who is legally allowed to apply for a patent is the inventor. Even if the invention was created under the employ of someone else, only the inventor can apply. Once the patent is granted to the inventor, the rights can be transferred to the employer.

Recourse If A Patent Is Violated

If a patent is violated, it's the responsibility of the person or entity who holds the patent to pursue enforcement or recourse. This can become a complicated and expensive procedure. It's not uncommon for large corporations that have violated a patent to pursue the matter in court. This is especially true when a portion of their revenue is derived as a result of their patent violation. Because litigation can be cost prohibitive for many inventors, it may be worthwhile to consider selling the patent or arranging some form of licensing agreement with the company who is infringing upon the patent holder's rights.

Patent law was enacted in order to protect inventors' rights and to encourage the continued innovation of processes, methods and manufactured items. That being said, it is a complex field of law. You should speak with a patent lawyer before applying for a patent. If you hold a patent that another party has violated, an experienced attorney can prove valuable in exploring your options.

Cravens & Noll PC

When my nephew started hanging around the wrong crowd, we knew it was only a matter of time before he got into some serious trouble. By the time the cops finally came knocking on his mother’s door, we’d already been asking around our friends and family for the names of some experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Virginia. My nephew really is a good kid and we just didn’t want him having to face the consequences of juvenile decisions for the rest of his life.  When we found out he was facing drug possession charges, we knew that finding the right legal team to represent his interests was the only way to ensure he had the chance for a bright future. 

This was the first time my nephew, and my brother’s son, had ever gotten into trouble with the law, so we thought that there was a good chance of getting his charges and punishment reduced. But the only way we would be able to help him do this is by hiring a good lawyer. We’d heard that Cravens HYPERLINK "http://cravensnoll.com/"&HYPERLINK "http://cravensnoll.com/" Noll PC provided clients with free consultations, but this just seemed too good to be true! Many of the other law firms in our area with good reputations charged an arm and a leg for a first-time meeting. When it came down to it, we just didn’t have the money for this.

For criminal defense attorneys in Virginia that can put your mind at ease regarding finances and results, Cravens & Nolls PC is the way to go. From the friendly staff to the knowledgeable lawyers, we couldn’t have been more satisfied with the way we were treated by this legal team. They not only educated us about all of the option available for my nephew, but they went ahead and told us all of the possible outcomes he may face based on the drug charges, making sure we were prepared for anything that came our way.  We couldn’t have been happier with how helpful these legal professionals were, and how much respect they treated my nephew and our entire family with.

Things You Must Know About Getting a Lawyer

If you find out that you will be in court, your first thought is probably going to be that you need a lawyer. You may have no experience choosing a lawyer, but it's not so difficult. Read on to find a great lawyer.

You want to always be able to easily get in communication with your lawyer. Having issues with reaching a lawyer is something that is hard to contact is a common issue. You shouldn't get stuck wondering what's going just because you have a lawyer that's on vacation.

Choosing the Right Attorney 

 Think about your issue long and hard prior to looking for a lawyer. The first thing to do is think about whether you really need a lawyer. You ought to have representation if you are faced with criminal charges, charged with a crime or have an upcoming lawsuit. You might be able to get great recommendations as to what lawyer to choose. For example, if you're dealing with small business law, you should speak with a banker, banker, accountant, etc. These kinds of people are frequently interacting with lawyers all the time and they can assist you in making a judgment. Only use lawyers that you trust. This is especially true if you are hiring a lawyer for your business or professional matters. Many lawyers try to ask for a blank check or retainer fee. Remember that you financially. Try as much as possible.

Ask a lot of questions to every lawyer you interview. When you consult with them initially, you need to notice whether or not they're interested in answering every question that you have or not. They need to take responsibility and be able to make sure you’re comfortable with the knowledge and experience they have. If something doesn't feel right, just walk away because they are wrong for you. Try using a lawyer referral services. These referral services will help you find the best lawyers available. Other services list lawyers using the state bar's guidelines for liability insurance. Find out more about different referral services and listings before deciding which one to use. Do your research before taking care of the Worker's Compensation claim. Each state's laws when dealing with the time you've got to file and what proof must be shown. Worker's Comp is different from all other claims and should not be approached as such. Worker's Compensation cases have unique standards that need to be met. Know your case before talking to a lawyer. If you're not aware of the particulars of your case, how can you find the best person to help you? It will ensure you make a more informed decision.

Bankruptcy Attorney That Works for You! 

You can always ask for an unbiased second opinion if you feel your lawyer isn't doing the best job. A second opinion can be a smart move before making any decisions.

1. Just because a lawyer is technically qualified doesn't mean they'll be right for you. You need all their professional expertise, but it is also important to remember that you are going to be spending a lot of time working with them. You will have to establish a good relationship if you want things to work.
2. If the lawyer you first meet doesn't suit you, it is still a good idea to meet with a few more. Legal proceedings are sometimes lengthy, so you should be sure that you are very comfortable with your lawyer. Choosing well in the first place is a big difference.
3. Once you understand the different types of lawyers and the types of legal issues they each handle, you'll see that each thing falls into simple groups that are easy to grasp.

Ask many questions and you'll be sure to get all the help you want. It is that simple.

About the author:

The Law Office of Janice Q. Russell, Esq. is a compassionate bankruptcy attorney in Pittsburgh PA dedicated to providing you with debt relief solutions. Contact us today! We proudly serve Pittsburgh, Gibsonia, Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Wexford, Monroeville, Coraopolis, Sewickley, and Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania.