Let me start by saying that do-it-yourself lawyering has its limits. Sure you can draft contracts on your own, you can survive the tricky negotiations with your business clients, and you can settle a marital dispute between you, but when the need arises to go to court, you will have to go to a lawyer. Watson Attorneys Property Law Specialists is a full-service law firm based in Cape Town, South Africa.
You will have to incur expenses, pay professional fees and endure the usually lengthy process. Most of the time, the costs of solving a problem are much higher than the costs of preventing it. As they say, prevention is always better than cure. So hire a lawyer and hire a good one.
Qualifications
The “practice of law” is loosely defined as attending to the legal needs of another person through the application of legal principles and knowledge by a person trained in law. However, under this definition, a paralegal or even a secretary with knowledge of the law, who has been “trained” merely by virtue of having been employed for a period of time in a law firm, is considered to be practicing law.
Therefore, when looking for a lawyer, look for a “qualified” lawyer. That is, make sure that your lawyer has successfully completed his or her law course, has successfully passed the bar exams, and is licensed to practice in the same jurisdiction in which a particular legal relief is sought. When faced with a legal dispute, the last thing you need is a bogus lawyer. It is perfectly ethical to ask for a lawyer’s license before you start sharing your innermost secrets with them. However, it is normal to hang your certifications on the wall.
Experience
Each qualified lawyer has his or her own expertise. He or she may be an expert in any of the following categories of law: international law, labor law, civil law, tax law, litigation or criminal law. These are the main categories. Thus, you may hear of a litigation lawyer or an immigration lawyer. Keep in mind, however, that lawyers’ specializations are “acquired” through experience, not simply because they think they are great at it.
Personal Qualities
This is one aspect of lawyering in which a young, inexperienced lawyer can edge out an experienced one. Young lawyers tend to be vibrant, supportive and friendly. They tend to treat their clients like babies. They take care of every little detail, even the unimportant ones. But that’s exactly how paying clients want to be treated. business customers tend to feel they are getting their money’s worth with the kind of attention they are receiving.
The personal qualities to look for in a lawyer depend largely on the type of client you are. If you are the type who doesn’t mince words, you may prefer to hire an older, withdrawn attorney. These types of lawyers are less interested in what you have to say. Sometimes, they are not even interested in what you have to say. Lawyering has become a routine for them, like brushing their teeth in the morning. But their experience is impeccable. Their strategies have been tried and tested, so your chances of winning your case are considerably high if you hire them.
Credibility
A lawyer’s credibility can be viewed in several contexts. It can mean the absence of a bad reputation. It can be based on charisma and referrals from satisfied former clients. It can be destroyed by the lawyer himself, as when he gives legal advice and reverses his own legal opinion without cushioning the effects. Certainly, no lawyer can get clients if he or she is not credible and trustworthy.
Availability
So you already have a qualified, skilled and credible lawyer who has the personal qualities you are looking for. The next thing to consider is whether that lawyer is available to handle your problem. Most of the time, your lawyer will say that he or she is willing, able and happy to assist you. Lo and behold, he has said the same thing to several others this morning, last week, and the week before. The point is that a lawyer can only do so much. He can’t be attending all the hearings at the same time.
