Find a lawyer

How can I find a lawyer?

Personal Referral
One of the best ways to find a lawyer is by asking someone you know (a friend, relative or co-worker) for suggestions. This is especially useful if they have used an lawyer for the same purpose you are seeking one, such as estate planning, family law or bankruptcy.

Professional Referral
Depending on the complexity of your case, you may want to find a lawyer who practices primarily in one field. For instance, if you are planning to organize a business, you might be best served by a lawyer who has worked in your field. You can check with members of professional organizations or others in your field for suggestions. The Yellow Pages also list lawyers and their areas of practice. The Supreme Court has a list of lawyers (called "qualified neutrals") who are qualified to provide alternative dispute resolution services.

Minnesota Lawyer Referral Services
A third option is to contact a Lawyer Referral Service. The Minnesota State Bar Association maintains an online Lawyer Referral System at www.mnfindalawyer.com that assists the public in locating a lawyer practicing law in Minnesota and helps identify the areas of law that the lawyer practices in.

Referral services are also operated by a number of other organizations within Minnesota:

Dakota County Bar Association Referral Service -- 952-431-3200
Hennepin County Bar Association Referral Service -- 612-752-6666
Ramsey County Bar Association Referral Service -- 651-224-1775

Lawyer Referral Programs In Other States:
To locate a lawyer in a state other than Minnesota, please refer to the American Bar Association website which maintains a list of the lawyer referral programs operating in other states: http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/lris/directory.html

Respond to an advertisement. Lawyers may use consumer advertising (in Yellow Pages, on radio and TV, in magazines and newspapers, etc.) to inform the public of their services and charges for certain routine legal matters. You will find the most complete listing in the Yellow Pages section of your telephone directory. Some attorneys will list the types of cases which they accept or the subject areas in which they prefer to practice. Some others will describe themselves as "certified" or as a "certified specialist." This means that the lawyer has met certain standards of knowledge and experience and concentrates his or her work in the field in which he or she is certified. For more information about certification, go to How can I find a lawyer who specializes in a specific type of law?

Where can I get free/inexpensive legal help?

Many lawyers offer a free brief initial consultation to help you determine whether you need to hire a lawyer. You can ask the lawyer whether s/he offers this when you call for an appointment. You can call the Tel-Law tape library, a series of 75 recorded messages available 24 hours a day on a variety of common legal topics (phone 612/752-6699). Hennepin, Ramsey and Dakota counties each have a service where you can have a brief consultation with a lawyer during certain times; check with these counties to find out times and eligibility:

Hennepin County Self-Help Center: Legal Access Point offers free 15-minute consultations with volunteer attorneys at the Hennepin County Government Center. Call 612-752-6666 for more information on this program.
Ramsey County Family Law Self-Help Program: Call 651/266-2847 or 651/266-2832 for information.
Dakota County Self-Help Program: Call 651/438-8102 for information. Or visit http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/courts/ and click on "Family Court".

What if I can’t afford a lawyer in a civil case?
There are civil legal aid providers serving all 87 Minnesota counties. People requesting assistance usually are screened first for financial eligibility. Because of limited resources, each local office also has priorities for the kinds of cases it is able to handle. If you qualify, a legal aid staff lawyer may help you or you may be assigned to a lawyer who works with the legal aid office to provide "pro bono" services (for free). If the pro bono program is separate from the local legal aid office, legal aid will refer you if it’s appropriate. This means that certain kinds of cases aren’t handled even if people are financially eligible. Sometimes there will be a waiting list for certain kinds of services (like divorces). These offices do NOT handle cases that are potentially fee generating (accidents for example). To find the local legal aid office(s) serving your county, go to www.LawHelpMN.org.

What if I can’t afford a lawyer in a criminal case?
The public defenders office may be appointed by the court to represent you. If you don’t qualify for public defender services, you will need to hire a lawyer at your own expense.

Can I be my own lawyer?

Yes. Everyone is entitled to act as his or her own counsel, but in an increasingly complex age where specialization is the rule, acting as your own lawyer can often lead to disaster. While you can proceed pro se (representing yourself), it is not often wise, and you must be prepared to live with the consequences. If you represent yourself, you still will be expected to know and follow the court rules and procedures that apply in your jurisdiction. It is not the court’s job to help you navigate through the legal system, and court clerks and judges are very restricted in the types of information they can provide to you; they cannot help you complete the forms you will need. At the very least, be sure to consult your local law library and ask the librarian for any resources the library has for pro se litigants. The Minnesota State Law Library identifies some Self-Help Resources that may be useful to you available on the web; visit www.lawlibrary.state.mn.us/mnlr.html.

The do-it-yourself kits for handling your own divorce or writing a will do not take into account your individual needs, differences or complications, nor are they written with the specific laws of Minnesota in mind. You should consider your options carefully before you proceed to address your legal needs without consulting a lawyer. If you represent yourself, you proceed at your own risk.

How can I find a lawyer who specializes in a specific type of law?

Like other professionals, many lawyers specialize by concentrating their practices in certain fields or limiting the type of matters they handle. Lawyers who want to refer to themselves as specialists must be "certified" (i.e., undergo testing and peer review) by a qualified group. Certification measures a lawyer's knowledge and experience in the specialty area.

Since 1988, the Minnesota State Bar Association has been approved as an independent professional organization for certifying legal specialists in two fields: civil trial and real property. Only lawyers who successfully complete the application process and continue to be in compliance with all program requirements may call themselves MSBA Certified Specialists.

Civil Trial lawyers represent clients in state or federal courts in non-criminal matters. FIND a MSBA Certified Civil Trial Specialist
Real Property lawyers represent clients in real property transactions including real estate conveyances, title searches, leases, condominiums, mortgages, property taxes, real estate development, real estate financing and determination of property rights.
FIND a MSBA Certified Real Property Specialist

How do I find out if a particular lawyer is licensed to practice in Minnesota?

The Minnesota Attorney Registrar’s Office should have that information for you. Call them at 651/ 296-2254 or go to http://www.courts.state.mn.us/mars/

There are more than 22,000 lawyers licensed to practice in Minnesota; approximately 15,000 are members of the Minnesota State Bar Association, which is a voluntary professional association for members of the legal profession.

What can I do if I have a complaint about my lawyer?

If you are not happy with how an attorney is handling your case, you have several options for improving the situation. What to do depends on the nature of the problem.

You are dissatisfied with the progress of your case. If you are dissatisfied with the progress of your case, you should first talk with your attorney directly. Are you unhappy because you have not heard what is happening? It may be that there have been unforeseen delays. Or, you may be expecting your case to proceed more quickly than it can. Your attorney should be able to answer your questions. Remember, though, that attorneys usually charge based on the time they spend working on a case. If you are calling regularly, you can expect to be charged for the time the attorney spends on the case.

After you've talked with your attorney, you can make a decision. If you are still not satisfied, you can fire your lawyer and hire another one, or drop the case entirely. It is possible you have a weak case. Usually, attorneys will let a client know ahead of time whether they think the case can be won -- and at what price. Note that if you owe fees to your former lawyer, he or she has the right to hold on to your files until the fees are paid.

You are unhappy with the fees you have been charged. If your problem revolves around fees, your first step again should be to contact your attorney and discuss the situation. If you agree to the charges, but cannot pay them, the lawyer may be willing to negotiate a payment schedule or some other accommodation. If you believe the charges are incorrect, you should ask the attorney how they were calculated. Most attorneys will send an itemized bill for services. If you still are not satisfied, you can take your complaint to a local Fee Arbitration Panel. The panels include members of the public and attorneys. You will have a chance to explain your side of the dispute and the attorney will also get a chance to speak. After hearing the case, the panel will determine what a fair fee is for the work done. To contact your local fee arbitration panel, contact the MSBA office at 612-333-1183 or 800-882-6722.

You think your attorney has acted unethically. Lawyers in Minnesota agree to abide by a strict code of ethics when they are licensed to practice law. If you believe your attorney has acted unethically, you may bring your complaint to the Minnesota Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board. The LPRB can be reached at 651-296-3952 or toll-free at 800-657-3601 or visit www.courts.state.mn.us/lprb. Every complaint that falls within the authority of the lawyers' board is investigated. If it is found your attorney has acted unethically, he or she can be disciplined and may even be forbidden from practicing law again. (More specific information about filing a complaint.)

Tip: Most problems between lawyers and clients can be solved by regular communication. Don't be afraid to ask questions of your lawyer. Fees should be discussed thoroughly at your first meeting with the attorney. Keep your own file of materials and records related to the case.

Tips for Selecting a Lawyer to work with you

When do you need a lawyer?
How do I find a lawyer?
How do I choose a lawyer?
How are lawyers paid?
Can I discuss the fee and payment arrangements with my lawyer?
How can I choose the right lawyer for me?
Can I be my own lawyer?

When do you need a lawyer?
Sooner or later, everyone needs to see a lawyer. Many people believe they need a lawyer’s help only to solve a problem or resolve a conflict. But the best time to see a lawyer is often NOT when you are in legal trouble, but before that trouble occurs The saying that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is as true with legal matters as it is with regular medical checkups.

Preventive law is one of the most valuable services a lawyer can perform. Early consultation with a lawyer may prevent serious problems later on. By eliminating potential problems, legal advice can save you time, money and needless worry. Common situations where you should consider consulting a lawyer include:

Before buying or selling a home or other real estate.
When making a will or planning your estate.
Before signing a contract that involves a lot of money or calls for financing.
Before organizing or buying a business.
When there are changes in your family status—marriage, adoption, divorce, guardianship.
When you are arrested or charged with a crime.
When you are involved in an accident in which there is personal injury or property damage.
When you have tax problems or questions.
When you are having problems with unpaid bills or bill collectors.
If you are not sure that your problem has a legal solution.

If you face problems such as these, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible because many simple problems get more complicated as time passes.

How do you find a lawyer?
Once you’ve decided that you need to see a lawyer, you should carefully consider which lawyer to contact – it’s an important decision. Your goal should be to find a lawyer you are comfortable with as a person and as a professional. Many legal matters involve personal considerations and your lawyer often will need to know confidential information about you, your family and your finances in order to represent you effectively. There are several ways to find a lawyer to help you:

Get a personal referral.

Ask a friend or relative -- especially one who has had a problem like yours -- for the name of a lawyer.
Ask a person whose opinion you respect, such as your employer, a doctor, minister, teacher, social worker or labor union representative.

Use a Lawyer Referral Service.
The Minnesota State Bar Association has a free, on-line referral system that can help you locate lawyers who practice in all counties except Dakota, Hennepin and Ramsey, which have their own referral services. The MSBA system is easy to use and is available at all times by going to www.mnbar.org. The lawyers who choose to be part of the MSBA referral system have agreed to provide an initial half-hour consultation at no charge to you. You can then discuss what other services the lawyer will provide at a fee you both agree on. If the lawyer cannot handle your problem, you can ask to be referred to another lawyer who may be able to help you.

County Lawyer Referral Programs

Dakota County 612/431-3200

Hennepin County 612/752-6666 Voice & TDD

Ramsey County 612/224-1775 Voice & TDD

Other Lawyer Referral Programs

Chrysalis Legal Assistance for Women 612/871-0118

Minnesota Women Lawyers 612/338-3205

Springboard for the Art 651/292-4381

Respond to an advertisement.
Attorneys may use consumer advertising such as yellow pages, radio and TV, magazines and newspapers to inform the public of their services and charges for certain routine legal matters. (Direct solicitation, however, is improper and unethical. Such solicitation might include unwanted visits or telephone calls.) In cases of accidents or disasters, lawyers are prohibited from initiating written communications with prospective clients within 30 days of the incident.

The yellow pages directories contain a listing of attorneys in your area. Some attorneys will list the type of cases they accept or the subject areas in which they prefer to practice. Some other will describe themselves as "certified" or as a "certified specialist." This means that the lawyer has met certain standards of knowledge and experience and concentrates his or her work in the field in which he or she is certified. Certification is granted to attorneys by several groups which have been approved for that purpose by the Minnesota Board of Legal Certification.

In Minnesota, lawyers are bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct established and enforced by the Minnesota Supreme Court. These rules govern lawyer advertising in Minnesota, and prohibit lawyers from making false, misleading or deceptive statements about their services.

You can follow certain steps when you contact a lawyer whose advertisement you have seen or heard:

Don’t take the ad literally; ask the lawyer for references and check his or her experience with your type of case.
Ask the lawyer about the service advertised and what they actually include, for example, a "simple will" or "simple divorce."
Don’t hesitate to discuss fees, what services those fees cover and whether there will be any extra charges.
Keep a copy of the ad so you can check to see whether the lawyer is performing as advertised.

Other Resources
Legal Clinics
Legal Aid and Volunteer Attorney programs serve every county in Minnesota. These programs provide high-quality legal assistance in certain civil matters for eligible low-income persons. This assistance is generally limited to non-income-producing cases and non-criminal cases, such as those relating to domestic disputes or landlord-tenant problems.

You should contact the legal services program in your area to determine if you qualify for these free legal services. Call 612/333-1183 (Twin Cities metro) or 800/292-4152 (toll free outstate) for the program serving your county. In criminal matters, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you during your first court appearance.

Conciliation (Small Claims) Court
Conciliation courts offer citizens the chance to resolve minor disputes without the need for lawyers. Because these involve relatively modest monetary disputes and are usually handled without lawyers, the courts are sometimes called "people’s courts."

In Minnesota, the limit for cases that can be heard in conciliation court is $ 7,500, and exclude certain types of claims such as divorce, cases involving title to property, cases involving the city, county or state, and successions. The filing fee for conciliation court varies by county, but generally ranges from $25-$35. However, you should file suit only after you have tried other ways to solve your problem such as writing directly to the person or company involved in your complaint, or by discussing the matter with the Better Business Bureau.

For more information about conciliation court or to find the telephone number for your local conciliation court, go to http://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/con_court/default.htm.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Services
ADR consists of various methods of resolving legal disputes without resorting to conventional lawsuits. ADR may be quicker, more efficient, and more economical than traditional litigation in court. Under the Minnesota Rules of Court, nearly all civil legal disputes must go through some type of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process prior to trial.
The two most common forms of ADR are mediation and arbitration. In mediation, a neutral mediator, selected by both parties serves as a conciliator to help the parties reach a mutually acceptable settlement of their disputes. The mediator does not decide which side is right or wrong, but rather, assists the parties in reaching a mutually agreed upon resolution. For more information about mediating disputes, call Tel-Law at 612-752-6699 and request tape #113.
In arbitration, the parties select one or more neutral individuals who will rule upon their dispute. An arbitration hearing is conducted, which is similar to a court hearing, but much less formal. The parties agree, prior to the arbitration, whether the ruling will be binding or nonbinding. If the ruling is nonbinding, either party can opt not to accept it by filing the necessary notice, and then the case would be returned to the court system. If the ruling is binding, the grounds for appeal are very limited.
In addition to using a law firm for ADR, there are a number of dispute resolution programs and services which may be able to help you resolve your dispute outside of a formal court of law. Look in the Yellow Pages under “Mediation Service” to find a program near you. The Minnesota Supreme Court maintains a list of “qualified neutrals” which you can look at by going to their website at http://www.courts.state.mn.us/adr/adr_query.asp.

How do I choose a lawyer?
Once you have the names of one or more lawyers, call their offices. Briefly explain your situation and ask:

Does the lawyer charge for an initial interview? If so, how much? Note that many lawyers offer a free initial meeting to discuss your situation.
Does the lawyer have a standard fee for routine matters? If so, what does it cover? If your problem appears more complicated, what are the hourly fees?
Does the lawyer have a written agreement describing fees and services provided for the fees?

After you’ve gotten these questions answered, you’ll want to schedule a meeting with the lawyer whose answers satisfied you the most. In choosing a lawyer, keep in mind competence, accessibility and price. One way to assess competence is by the amount of time the lawyer has spent keeping up with changes in the law through continuing legal education (in order to maintain their license to practice law, lawyers must take 45 hours of CLE every three years). A lawyer’s age may not necessarily be indicative of his or her ability to help you with your case. A young lawyer or one who is recently out of law school may have more experience with your type of problem than a lawyer who is older or who has practiced for many years.

Because you are hiring a lawyer to perform services for you, don’t be afraid to ask about his or her qualifications, experience and continuing education. Ask questions. Write them down before you visit the lawyer’s office. Here are a few questions that may be helpful when you meet with the lawyer:

Have you had experience handling this kind of problem? How recently? How often? What was involved? What was the outcome of the other case(s)?
If I hire you, will you actually be working on my case? What will you be doing for me? Will any other person be doing work on my case? When and how will we get back in touch with each other?
Is there a statute of limitations (meaning a legal deadline) in my case that we must be careful not to miss?

How are lawyers paid?
A natural part of the legal system, which deals with the rights, desires and occasionally the faults of human beings, is the fact that no two situations are exactly alike. The lawyer’s fee will depend upon a variety of factors including the type of case, the agreement reached between you and your lawyer, and the guidelines set forth in the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Probably the key element of any fee charged by a lawyer is the amount of time spent on a particular problem. But you should remember that a lawyer, unlike a doctor or dentist, performs many professional services when the client is not present. For example, clients are expected to pay their lawyer for time spent on the phone calls, writing letters or drafting and reviewing documents. A four-page document drafted for a client or advice given in a few minutes is actually the product of many hours of work done by the lawyer, not to mention other people in the lawyer’s office such as legal assistants and legal secretaries. While many lawyers work a minimum of eight to 10 hours a day, only about two-thirds of that time (or less) is billed to clients. The rest of the time is devoted to keeping up with the many new and changing laws, continuing legal education courses, bar association involvement, office management, and volunteer legal service.

There are four basic ways that lawyers usually charge their clients. Note that some lawyers use a combination of fee arrangements.

1. A flat or fixed fee basis for handling a particular type of matter. The lawyer may quote you a set amount or standard fee for a routine legal matter. For example, many wills and simple divorces are handled on a flat fee basis. When you agree to a fixed fee, be sure you know what it does and does not include. You should find out if any other charges might be added to the bill (for example, you may be expected to pay court costs and to reimburse the lawyer for out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel or copying costs).

2. A contingent fee arrangement, which means that the lawyer gets a percentage of the amount recovered. Thus, if your lawsuit is successful, the lawyer receives an agreed-upon percentage of the amount recovered, plus out-of-pocket expenses and court costs. The percentage is not set by the court, but is agreed upon between the lawyer and client. Although many lawyers charge the same percentage, you have the right to ask questions about the amount of work to be performed for the contingency fee and you are entitled to bargain for a different percentage if you think that is fair.

Cases involving personal injury are often handled on a contingent fee basis. The Rules of Professional Conduct provide that certain types of cases may not be handled on a conteingency fee basis (e.g., divorce and criminal cases). The rules also provide that a contingency fee agreement must be in writing and must state the method by which the fee is to be determined.

3. An hourly rate for time spent and expenses incurred on your behalf. Hourly rates of lawyers generally depend upon the lawyer’s experience and the demand for his or her services. There is no set hourly rate, and the rates vary. When choosing between lawyers whose hourly rates vary, you should consider which lawyer has the skills or experience to resolve the case more quickly. If you agree to an hourly arrangement, you can the lawyer may want to include a provision in the agreement requiring that the lawyer not exceed a specified amount of time or money without first obtaining your permission. Many business matters are charged according to hourly rates.

4. A retainer fee, where an individual or business employs a lawyer by making a down payment toward the fee for specified legal services. In return for the retainer the attorney will work for you on any matter for which you may services. Additional costs may be added to the final bill for services involving extra time and effort. Always request that your lawyer give a receipt to you for the advance on the fee.

Can I discuss the fee and payment arrangements with my lawyer?
Many people needing legal help are reluctant to see a lawyer because they’ve heard that legal services are expensive. Acutally, fees are often modest in comparison with the benefits gained or losses avoided. In your first meeting with your lawyer, you should discuss how much your legal work is going to cost and how it is going to be paid for. You need this information to make an informed decision about how to proceed. Often, a lawyer cannot tell you exactly what the total charge will be because it is hard to estimate how much work is going to be involved. Different cases have different facts, require different amounts of time and skills or different amounts of resources. But lawyers can usually estimate the minimum and maximum limits of the fee for that particular work, or give you some idea of the problems involved and the time that will be required.

The timetable for paying legal fees depends on arrangements between you and your lawyer. Usually, lawyers require an advance payment, often called a retainer, to cover the initial work and court costs paid on your behalf. In other matters, you will be billed at the end of each month, or at the completion of the services.

You should never hesitate to discuss fees at any time during the handing of your legal matter. If you receive a statement that isn’t clear to you or believe the fee isn’t proper, talk it over with your lawyer. Misunderstandings about fees usually result from the fact that the client is not aware of the extent of the lawyer’s work on the case. This is by no means the client’s fault. If you do not regularly see your lawyer, you may understandably believe that the activities of the lawyer are limited to those you do see. Lawyers as a group want to ensure that their clients are satisfied with any fees charged for services rendered. Your lawyer will be open to your questions on fees at any time.

How do I choose the right lawyer for me?
Remember, when you hire a lawyer, he or she will be working for you. The lawyer should be genuinely interested in your problem and in giving you the best possible advice. The lawyer may not be able to accomplish everything you want because of the facts or the law that applies in your case. Many times a good lawyer will advise you to avoid court action. A lawyer should be able to explain, in terms you can understand, what he or she hopes to accomplish for you and how he or she plans to do it.

Think about how the lawyer responded to your questions, about his or her experience and about whether you will be able to work with the lawyer in the way you would like. Based on your initial consultation, you should consider the following factors before agreeing to hire a lawyer:

Personality—do you get along well with and trust the person?
Experience—are you satisfied with the amount of experience the lawyer has had with your type of problem?
Communication skills—can you talk with and understand the lawyer easily?
Ability to pay—can you afford to pay the lawyer according to the fee arrangements you discussed?

If you are satisfied with your answers to these questions, it is likely that a sound basis for working together has been established between you and your lawyer.

Can I be my own lawyer?
Yes. Everyone is entitled to act as his or her own counsel, but in an increasingly complex age where specialization is common, acting as your own lawyer can often lead to disaster. While it is not prohibited to proceed pro se (representing yourself), it is not often wise, and you must be prepared to live with the consequences. If you represent yourself you still will be expected to know and follow the court rules and procedures that apply in your jurisdiction. It is not the court’s job to help you navigate through the legal system; court clerks and judges are very restricted in the types of information they can provide to you. They cannot help you fill out forms, for example. At the very least, be sure to consult your local law library and ask the librarian for any resources the library has for pro se litigants.

The do-it-yourself kits you may see advertised for handling your own divorce or writing a will do not take into account your individual needs, differences or complications, nor are they written with the specific laws of Minnesota in mind. You should consider your options carefully before you proceed to address your legal needs without consulting a lawyer.

Tips for Helping Your Lawyer Help You

Give your lawyer the complete story.
Prepare for phone calls and meetings.
Keep your lawyers informed.
Ask your lawyer questions.
Trust your lawyer.
Talk about fees and money at the first visit.
Agree on a reporting procedure.
Know what you are signing
Keep your own case file.
Listen to your lawyer.

As in any successful relationship, a good lawyer/client relationship involves cooperation on both sides. As a client, you should do all you can to make sure you get the best possible legal help. To do so, you must hold up your end of the responsibilities. Below are ten common sense steps to establishing a successful relationship with your lawyer.

1. Give your lawyer the complete story.
Your lawyer needs information to represent your interests successfully. Every fact and detail could be critical to your case. Once your lawyer knows all the facts and details from you, he or she will determine which information is the most important. Facts which may not seem important to you may have serious legal consequences.

2. Prepare for phone calls and meetings.
Get organized before you talk with or visit your lawyer. Prepare a written summary or detailed notes outlining your problem or questions; write down the names, addresses and phone numbers of all persons involved; bring papers relating to the case to your first interview. Be prompt for all appointments, since an attorney's time is your money.

Be as brief as possible in all interviews with your lawyer, and stick to business. At the rate you are charged for calls and conferences, socializing is expensive. Your legal matters are what is of interest to you and you attorney. You lawyer will appreciate it if you are prepared for meetings, and you will save money.

3. Keep your lawyers informed.
Tell your lawyer immediately of changes or new information that might affect your case. It might mean that the lawyer will have to take a totally different action -- or no action at all -- in your case. This could greatly affect your lawyer's fee. If your lawyer asks you to gather information about you case, do so promptly. Make or ask for a checklist of what you need to do and when, then make sure you get the things done. You will need to let your lawyer know how he or she can keep in touch with you. If you have a change of address, phone number, or place of employment, let your lawyer know right away. Be sure to give your lawyer any new documents you receive that may be relevant to your case.

4. Ask your lawyer questions.
We live in a complex society with a complex legal system. If you have any questions or are confused about something in your case, ask your lawyer for an explanation. In order for your lawyer to serve you effectively, you must understand all aspects of your case and the legal process. This may go a long way toward putting your mind at ease -- and will help your lawyer do a better job of handling your case.

5. Trust your lawyer.
Be prepared to make full and honest disclosure of everything about your problem, including facts which may be unfavorable or embarrassing to you. Only if you are completely candid from the start can the lawyer advise you properly. Strict rules require that the lawyer keep information about your case confidential, unless you admit to ongoing or planned criminal activity.

If you are concerned about confidentiality, tell your lawyer and discuss your expectations. Talking about it will help all parties feel more at ease and can help reassure you of your lawyer's commitment to confidentiality.

6. Talk about fees and money at the first visit.
Your lawyer should be prepared to talk about fees at your first meeting. Often a lawyer cannot tell you exactly what the charge will be because it is difficult to estimate how much work is going to be involved. But lawyers can usually estimate the minimum and maximum limits of the fee for that particular work, or give you some idea of the problems involved and the time that will be required.

In some cases fees are charged on an hourly basis or as a flat fee, and in some cases you will not pay any fees unless there is a recovery. In most cases, you will also have to pay for any expenses incurred (for example, filing fees or copying costs) on your case. You can and should negotiate fees and discuss payment plans with your attorney. Get your agreement in writing and keep a copy for your records. Most fee disputes arise when there is no written agreement.

Remember that a client has the duty to promptly pay a fair and reasonable price for legal services. In fact, when a client fails to pay in some situations, the lawyer may have the right to stop working further on the case. Still, the lawyer must do whatever is reasonably possible to make sure that the client's case is not harmed.

7. Agree on a reporting procedure.
Your lawyer should report to you regularly on the progress of your case. Discuss how frequently you will be informed about your case and by what method, telephone or letter. Remember, your lawyer is working for you. If you have any questions about your case, don't hesitate to call your lawyer. But remember that you are paying for your lawyer's time. It is usually more cost-effective to ask several questions at a time, rather than calling each time a question arises.

8. Know what you are signing.
Read any document you sign. Before you sign, ask your lawyer to explain fully anything you don't understand. Remember, what may be clear and routine to your lawyer can be (and often is) confusing to people without legal training. Ask if you have questions.

9. Keep your own case file.
Along with the working contract or letter of agreement between you and your lawyer, you should ask for and keep copies of all letters and documents prepared on your behalf. This will help you understand the progress being made on your case and assist you when you talk to or meet with your lawyer.

10. Listen to your lawyer.
Give careful consideration to what your lawyer advises. The lawyer's judgments are based on experience and training. Don't waste your money or your lawyer's time if you don't have confidence in his or her special knowledge and skills. Remember, however, that lawyers cannot work magic. No lawyer can be expected to win every case, and the best legal advice may not be what you want to hear.

Your lawyer is your advocate and this means that his or her advice has your best legal interests at heart. After you have hired a lawyer you trust, listen to the advice carefully.