Difference between revisions of "Know Any Good Lawyers?"

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By a "good" lawyer, we usually mean one that knows what he or she is doing, communicates well, is efficient and affordable and will work hard for his or her client. The Resources section (Part 2, page 43) of this guide describes several legal services that provide information and assistance and some limited advice and representation, but you really can’t beat full representation by a lawyer or legally supervised advocate.
{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Cliff Thorstenson]], April 2017}}{{Template:Legal Help Guide TOC}}By a "good" lawyer, we mean one that knows what he or she is doing, has experience dealing with the relevant areas of law, communicates effectively, is efficient and affordable, and <span class="noglossary">will</span> work hard for his or her client. The [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] describes several legal services that provide information and assistance and some limited advice and <span class="noglossary">representation</span>, but you really can't beat full <span class="noglossary">representation</span> by a lawyer or legally supervised advocate.
 
== First steps ==
== First steps ==
If you do not know a lawyer who can help you:
If you do not know a lawyer who can help you:
# See if you qualify for legal aid representation: people with low incomes who are facing serious criminal, family or immigration issues may qualify for legal aid. If so, the Legal Services Society will appoint a lawyer for them. For information on applying for legal aid representation, see #36-Legal aid representation, in Part 2 of this guide.
#See if you qualify for legal aid <span class="noglossary">representation</span>: people with low incomes who are facing serious criminal, family or immigration issues may qualify for legal aid. If you qualify for legal aid, the Legal Services Society <span class="noglossary">will</span> appoint a lawyer for you. For information on applying for legal aid <span class="noglossary">representation</span>, see [[Legal Aid Representation|legal aid <span class="noglossary">representation</span>]] in the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]].  
# Speak with friends or helping professionals who have worked with lawyers recently, and see if they can recommend someone;
#Speak with friends or helping professionals who have worked with lawyers recently, and see if they can recommend someone.
# Contact the Lawyer Referral Service and ask for the names of lawyers near you who practice the type of law you need (see #34-Lawyer Referral Service, in Part 2 of this guide); or
#Contact the Lawyer Referral Service and ask for the names of lawyers near you who practice the type of law you need (see [[Lawyer Referral Service]] in the Resource List).
# Check the yellow pages of the local phone book under the heading, "Lawyers". You might want to call one that (a) is near you, (b) practices in the area of law you want, and (c) offers a free initial consultation. If the contacted lawyer does not do that type of work, he or she may know another lawyer who does.
#Do an internet search for lawyers in your area or check the Yellow Pages of the local phone book under the heading "Lawyers." You might want to call one that (a) is near you, (b) practices in the area of law you want, and (c) offers a free initial consultation. If the contacted lawyer does not do that type of work, he or she may know another lawyer who does.
{{Quote box
 
|quote  = Most lawyers specialize, so it is useful to get a lawyer who practices
{{Tipsbox
in the area of law that covers your legal problem. Also, non-lawyer advocates, (within their areas of experience, such as welfare or tenancy), may be more knowledgeable than many lawyers.
| width = 75%
|source =
| tips = Most lawyers specialize, so it is useful to get a lawyer who practices in the area of law that covers your legal problem. Also, non-lawyer advocates (within their areas of experience, such as welfare or tenancy) may be as knowledgeable as many lawyers. See the tip sheet "[http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/resource/1645 What an Advocate Can Do For You]."
|width  = 90%
|align  = center
}}
}}


== What happens next ==


== What happens next? ==
The lawyer <span class="noglossary">will</span> want to meet with you (either in person or by phone) to discuss your case. Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the [[Preparing for Your Interview]] form included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case. A meeting with a lawyer is more effective if you are well prepared.
The lawyer will want to meet with you (either in person or by phone) to discuss your case. Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the form, Preparing for Your Interview, in Part 3 (page 57) of this guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case. A meeting with a
 
lawyer is more effective if you are well prepared.
At the end of the meeting, you can discuss whether the lawyer <span class="noglossary">will</span> do more work for you, and how much that work <span class="noglossary">will</span> cost.
At the end of the meeting, you can discuss whether the lawyer will do more work for you, and how much that work will cost.


== Where to get help ==
== Where to get help ==


See Part 2- Resources, starting on page 43, for a list of legal resources including lawyers and legally supervised advocates who can provide advice and sometimes representation for little or no cost.
See the [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|Resource List]] for a list of legal resources, including lawyers and legally supervised advocates who can provide advice and sometimes <span class="noglossary">representation</span> for little or no cost.
Complete the Preparing for Your Interview form in Part 3 of this guide before speaking with an advocate or lawyer.
 
Complete the [[Preparing for Your Interview]] form included in this Guide before speaking with an advocate or lawyer.
 
{{Legal Help Guide Navbox|type=started}}
 
{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}

Latest revision as of 17:09, 9 May 2018

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Cliff Thorstenson, April 2017.

By a "good" lawyer, we mean one that knows what he or she is doing, has experience dealing with the relevant areas of law, communicates effectively, is efficient and affordable, and will work hard for his or her client. The Resource List describes several legal services that provide information and assistance and some limited advice and representation, but you really can't beat full representation by a lawyer or legally supervised advocate.

First steps[edit]

If you do not know a lawyer who can help you:

  1. See if you qualify for legal aid representation: people with low incomes who are facing serious criminal, family or immigration issues may qualify for legal aid. If you qualify for legal aid, the Legal Services Society will appoint a lawyer for you. For information on applying for legal aid representation, see legal aid representation in the Resource List.
  2. Speak with friends or helping professionals who have worked with lawyers recently, and see if they can recommend someone.
  3. Contact the Lawyer Referral Service and ask for the names of lawyers near you who practice the type of law you need (see Lawyer Referral Service in the Resource List).
  4. Do an internet search for lawyers in your area or check the Yellow Pages of the local phone book under the heading "Lawyers." You might want to call one that (a) is near you, (b) practices in the area of law you want, and (c) offers a free initial consultation. If the contacted lawyer does not do that type of work, he or she may know another lawyer who does.
Tipsandnotes.png
Most lawyers specialize, so it is useful to get a lawyer who practices in the area of law that covers your legal problem. Also, non-lawyer advocates (within their areas of experience, such as welfare or tenancy) may be as knowledgeable as many lawyers. See the tip sheet "What an Advocate Can Do For You."

What happens next[edit]

The lawyer will want to meet with you (either in person or by phone) to discuss your case. Before meeting with a lawyer or advocate, complete the Preparing for Your Interview form included in this Guide. Make sure you bring copies of all documents relating to your case. A meeting with a lawyer is more effective if you are well prepared.

At the end of the meeting, you can discuss whether the lawyer will do more work for you, and how much that work will cost.

Where to get help[edit]

See the Resource List for a list of legal resources, including lawyers and legally supervised advocates who can provide advice and sometimes representation for little or no cost.

Complete the Preparing for Your Interview form included in this Guide before speaking with an advocate or lawyer.

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence Legal Help for British Columbians © Cliff Thorstenson and Courthouse Libraries BC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence.