What You Should Know
Most people avoid disputes (when possible) and try to live pleasantly simple lives, requiring little assistance from a lawyer, much less a “litigator.” But if you are reading this, you probably need to get up to speed quickly about hiring a lawyer for your specific needs.
We designed this page to answer common questions — and clear up misconceptions — about lawyers in general and the process of hiring one. So take a deep breath, relax, and scroll down through information provided. We know you’ll be more educated — and therefor feel better –– about your particular situation.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I seek a “free consultation” or instead pay for one? 
The answer is: there can be surprising drawbacks to getting something for “free.” It often better for the client (but not always) to pay a lawyer for a consultation. Click here for the details.
Should I even hire a lawyer for my matter?
Most often, yes. (That’s what an attorney would say that, right?)
But it’s true: 95% of the time, you should retain a lawyer to handle any civil dispute. We put it to clients this way: if your dispute is enough to distract you from work at times or keep you up at night, why fret over spending a few hundred dollars with a lawyer to at least learn your rights and get involved on your behalf?
That said, don’t waste your money. Be smart. Some lawyers will ask for a $10,000 retainer to do practically nothing except be “on retainer.” Every profession has its bad apples, including law. That’s a given. But this is not a time to be jaded and hate all lawyers due to the greed of a few.
Click HERE to get the full story whether you need to retain an attorney to speak for you and attend appearances in regard to any given matter.
What type of lawyer do I need?
This question is important, but also complex. Hiring a lawyer is not like going to a doctor, who specializes in emergency medicine, or pediatrics, or on parts of the body: the eyes (optician), joints (orthopedics) or heart (cardiologist), for example. Moreover, for doctors there exist separate board certifications — and written examinations — for each medical sub-speciality of practice.
Click HERE to learn more about legal subspecialties and how to find the right attorney for your matter.
How do I find a local lawyer, especially if I’m not familiar with geographic area of the dispute?
This is easy. The American Bar Association has described how to find a lawyer locally. We’ve also written a detailed article about how to find a particular lawyer — once you know the type you need — and how to find one in a geographic region where you do not currently live. Click HERE for more.
Should I meet my lawyer in person prior to retaining him or her?
No, it’s not required.
But it might make sense to at least do a Zoom or Face-time meeting in advance of hiring the lawyer, especially if your case could go to court before a judge or jury. Look for the lawyer to be able to listen and make good eye contact and be “presentable,” meaning, appropriately dressed absent an overly distracting mannerism.
But don’t be too judgmental. Don’t look for “perfection.” It’s possible for a low-key, monotone lawyer to win your case methodically. A seemingly “low energy” person can also possess the ability to build a case block-by-block in a highly persuasive manner, absent flash or flare. Likewise, a dynamic speaker can make lots of noise, but prove to be “all thunder and no light,” holding the audience’s attention, but influencing exactly no one to rule his way.
Just observe your lawyer as a juror would: with an open mind and common sense. Go with your gut and start relying on it. You’ll need to call upon this same decision making skill at key points in your case: such as whether to go to trial or settle.
How Long Will My Case Take to Resolve?
This will depend on the nature of the case, how far apart the parties are in terms of possible settlement, and whether the case is scheduled for judge versus jury trial. Click HERE for more information.
How much will litigation cost me, win or lose?
This depends on the nature and complexity of the case. We advance personal injury cases on a pure contingency basis, meaning, we don’t charge anything for lawyer time or expenses on the case, unless there’s a recovery.
If, on the other hand, it’s a case handled on an hourly basis, a number of factors come into play when planning a litigation budget. Click HERE for more information.
What can the civil courts (a judge or jury) actually do?
Civil cases are not about “justice.” Rather, a civil case is about getting a money judgment, ultimately, or in some cases, a court can “enjoin” (or prevent) a person from doing something, such as competing with a former employer. But the power to issue an injunction rests solely with judges on the court of common pleas, not judges sitting as arbitrators or as magisterial district judges (small claims court).
Click HERE for more.
What is a “deposition”?
A deposition when one party to a civil case takes recorded testimony under oath of a witness, who could be another party to the case or another individual unrelated to the case but who witnesses something of consequence. In terms of preparing to testify at your deposition, we’ve written a detailed description of what to expect, exactly. Click HERE for all the details.
What can I expect to receive from filing suit all the way to a final judgment?
The civil court system exists for two reasons: first, to compensate or make whole those who were injured through another’s (a) careless conduct or (b) their failure to follow the terms of a contract. And secondly, the civil court system exists to create closure. However, there are limits to what the system can actually accomplish. Click HERE for more details.
What’s the difference between a lawyer and a “litigator”?
Being a litigator requires a certain skill set and lifestyle, which not all lawyers possess. Click HERE to learn more.
Is an attorney and lawyer the same thing?
Yes. It’s the exact same thing.
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Contact a counselor at law at our firm for any matter in Western PA.
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