What to Look for When Hiring a Civil Litigation Attorney

Civil Litigation Attorney - LloydWinter Law

Who you choose as your civil litigation attorney can make or break your case. A civil suit is a case that is not criminal in nature. A civil litigation attorney is who you call when you expect to have to go to court.

Lawsuits handled by civil litigation attorneys can range from real estate disputes to wrongful termination and everything in between. When choosing a civil litigation attorney, you should choose wisely and consider several factors including:

  • How Long the Civil Litigation Attorney Has Been in Practice
  • The Civil Litigation Attorney’s Fees & Case Costs
  • The Civil Litigation Attorney’s License
  • Specialty Areas of the Civil Litigation Attorney

How Long the Civil Litigation Attorney Has Been in Practice

It’s true that all attorneys must start somewhere, but if you have a lawsuit that needs an experienced litigation attorney, you should seek out a lawyer that is comfortable and competent in the courtroom. Civil litigation requires more than just knowledge of the law, it requires:

  • Courtroom decorum experience
  • Applied procedural knowledge
  • Superior communication skills needed to gather and express crucial information

Although extensive experience isn’t required for exceptional litigation, it does help, because fine tuning all these skills is gained through experience.

When deciding on a civil litigation attorney, be sure to figure out how much litigating experience they have in cases like yours.

You should also look at their Google reviews and client testimonials to see if they’ve built a good reputation in your area and in cases similar to yours.

The Civil Litigation Attorney’s Fees & Case Costs

Understanding Attorney Fees - LloydWinter LawBe sure to discuss attorney’s fees at your consultation. Fee schedules can vary greatly from practice to practice.

Types of attorney’s fee structures in general can include:

  • Hourly rates – Client is billed for the number of hours spent on a case including time spent on phone calls, answering emails, preparing documents, and conducting research
  • Flat rates – Set costs for a specific type of case, typically paid in advance
  • Contingency fees – The lawyer only gets payment when the client wins a case or reaches a settlement, such as many social security disability insurance or personal injury cases
  • Retainer fees – Deposits paid upfront before work begins
  • Statutory rates – Fees set by regulations or statutes, such as workers’ compensation cases
  • Capped fees – Fees are billed hourly until the designated maximum fee is reached
  • Billing plans – Set monthly fees allowing clients to budget for dedicated legal representation

Attorneys should also disclose that there are other costs associated with litigating your case besides just their attorney’s fees. Additional costs may include:

  • Court reporter fees
  • Travel expenses when travel is necessary
  • Expert witness fees
  • Court filing fees
  • Fees charged for ordering crucial documents

These extra charges are normal, but your civil litigation attorney should feel comfortable discussing fee expectations, including possible additional costs besides attorney’s fees.

For example, at LloydWinter, P.C., we are committed to conducting business with integrity and we openly disclose the potential for these extra costs on our website. We also offer a monthly billing plan with transparent, tiered options based on your individual needs.

Keep in mind that a well-organized civil litigation attorney can save you money just through their judicial efficiency. Besides our commitment to judicial efficiency, our firm embraces technology in a variety of ways letting our team work even more efficiently for our clients.

Lastly, a highly skilled civil litigation attorney’s greater ability to win your case or secure you a higher monetary award should also be considered when comparing value.

The Civil Litigation Attorney’s License

Verify an Attorney's License - LloydWinter LawYou can verify an attorney’s license yourself. The person you choose to represent you should be licensed to practice law and in good standing.

We recommend searching their license on the state bar’s website to check if they’ve faced any disciplinary action. If they have, what was it for? Use that knowledge to determine if they are trustworthy and a good fit for your case.

While it may seem impossible, it’s not unheard of for someone to practice law without a license. It’s illegal, but it’s not unheard of.

Our Principal Attorney and CEO Jody Winter’s license information can be verified on the website for the State Bar of California as can our attorney Sean Fredin’s. Meanwhile, our attorney Jennifer Panicker’s license information can be verified on the website for the State Bar of Texas.

Specialty Areas of the Civil Litigation Lawyer

If you’re looking for a civil litigation attorney to fight for your best interests in the courtroom, you should make sure the civil litigation attorney you choose has experience with your type of case.

For example, at LloydWinter, our civil litigation attorneys have extensive experience arguing the following types of cases in court:

These are the areas our attorneys absolutely excel. These are the areas we know best. You would choose a different law firm if you’re facing a custody battle or need representation in a personal injury case. Be sure to find an attorney that has a great deal of experience arguing the type of case you are facing.

Which Civil Litigation Lawyer You Choose Matters

Remember, your choice can ultimately affect whether you win your case. If you are the plaintiff, it can also make a difference in how much you are ultimately awarded in court. When choosing a civil litigation attorney, you should consider the factors mentioned above.

LloydWinter, P.C. is a full-service civil litigation law firm with offices in Texas and California. We take pride in:

  • Holding ourselves up to a higher standard
  • Our foundation of compassionate values
  • Our professional ethics

Please look around our website at the civil litigation legal services we offer. If you need a civil litigation attorney with proven success and extensive litigation experience in any of these areas, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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