In the case you haven’t previously, probably sometime in your life you’ll have to retain an attorney at law. Thanks to my interview with Tampa Attorney Christina Mesa, what follows is a group of answers to frequent and worthwhile questions.

1. QUESTION: Do I have to hire an attorney in the county where the issue occurs?
ANSWER: No. Many lawyers practice in other counties and other states, depending on their licensure for the latter. Having knowledge in the county in which the matter is being litigated is crucial as that lawyer will have a comfort level with the neighborhood courthouse personnel, attorneys (likely opposing lawyer) and judges. One consideration in hiring legal counsel outside the area in which the matter occurs is cost of journey time. Some attorneys don’t charge for travel, others give you a lowered rate or preserve a billable rate for all work performed. Clarify that question with each attorney consulted.

2. QUESTION: How am I able to be sure my lawyer is resolving my issues?
ANSWER: Every good lawyer accounts for his time (fees) and expenses (costs). Your retainer contract should include a affirmation of how the attorney bills his clients – up front, quarterly, etc. You may even track your case in some jurisidictions that offer on-line access to case dockets. If the county has that set up, you’re wise to often review the docket and see what events have taken place by your lawyer and the other party/counsel. It’s also advisable to feel at ease getting in contact with your lawyer at intervals to ascertain the status of the matter, knowing you’ll likely be billed for these interactions.

3. QUESTION: Exactly how do I select an attorney?
ANSWER: Legal subjects are as vast as those in other sectors, such as medicine, construction, finance, etc. and can be just as complex. To protect your legal rights and remedies, the ideal practice is to research your area of need and research what lawyers are accessible to help you. A referral from someone you know and respect can bring a personal element to the plan to hire an law firm but should not be the sole reason counsel is picked. Research the attorney’s background of education, expertise and area(s) of practice. Asking a lot of questions should be urged in this process. Self-help could be empowering but may also restrict or negate your recovery. Hiring a lawyer should be considered with exactly the same degree of thought and consideration as that given to the selection of a physician, accountant, financial consultant or therapist.

4. QUESTION: How do I determine if I require a lawyer or attorney?
ANSWER: If you have recently been served with a Summons and related documents (Complaint, Petition, Motion), you should really endeavor to seek out legal assistance now. Papers filed in court that commence a lawsuit call for responses that involve particular deadlines; missing those deadlines could compromise your defense, limit or avoid your recovery. Some matters by statute involve a “pre-suit” period that allow you to consider the legal issues and potential resolution before a suit is filed. Similarly, seeking legal counsel at the earliest opportunity is recommended.

5. QUESTION: What exactly is mediation?
ANSWER: Mediation is a process whereby the parties to the matter present at an agreed location with their counsel (if retained) and a chosen mediator to try and solve all or some of the issues involved. Mediators need to be unrelated to all parties and the litigation at issue, are to stay impartial amongst the parties and their counsel, and continue maintaining the confidential aspect of the conference to encourage settlement and resolution. Usually the parties share the cost of the mediation evenly but other arrangements may be made if all parties are in agreement in advance of the conference. Mediation is usually required in just about every case filed in court and just before a trial is held.

6. QUESTION: What type of lawyer do I need?
ANSWER: Again, like other sectors, attorneys may specialize in a specific or more than one area. Similarly, law offices may specialize, offer general legal needs or offer services in several precise areas of law. Trial lawyers handle cases involving lawsuits; family law attorneys handle separation and divorce, child custody/visitation, child support, alimony and associated matters; general practitioners handle most matters. Some areas of law are extremely specialized, like bankruptcy or taxation; others are delineated by statute, such as worker’s compensation. Any lawyer should be able to talk about your particular issue, determine if he/she is qualified to handle such matters or advise you of the necessity to speak with another in a specialized area.

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