Are you facing trial in New York City? Are you looking for a trial lawyer? Then read our guide for tips on finding the best trial attorney for you…
If you need the services of a trial attorney in New York City it will likely be in your best interests to choose an experienced trial attorney who knows New York City well and who has practiced their profession there for a number of years. The term trial attorney or trial lawyer is a rather general one that can be used to describe a legal practitioner who handles anything from malpractice suits to criminal cases. Obviously if you have been accused of a crime you would not first seek out a medical malpractice specialist to handle your case.
What Sort of Help Do You Need?
New York City is home to thousands of lawyers who are often very specific regarding the kinds of case that they specialize in. There are a few criteria that you can use to ferret out the trial lawyer or law firm that will be best suited to handling your need for legal counsel.
Many New York law firms of all kinds advertise their services by citing a list of verdicts and settlements that they have obtained on behalf of their clients. If you feel strongly that your case will inevitably go to trial you might want to eliminate an attorney who emphasizes their ability to wins settlements on their clients’ behalf. Instead you will need a trial lawyer with a reputation for successfully arguing their cases in an actual court of law to win verdicts in their clients’ favor. These types of trial attorneys may use words such as “complex litigation” or “reported decisions” in describing what they have done for their clients in the past.
Does Location Really Matter?
Many people resent a courtroom atmosphere where opposing parties and courtroom personnel and officers of the court all seem familiar with each other and may even seem to be on friendly terms. Such a situation can work in your favor, however. A trial lawyer who is familiar with the local court system in New York City or even within a particular area or borough’s court system and the people who work there may have a decided advantage over an attorney who is unfamiliar with the way things work in a given locale.
People in New York City and its surrounding metropolitan area never seem to tire of making distinctions between the residents of one area, such as Brooklyn, or another area, such as the Bronx or Long Island. Skillful trial lawyers use all of these seemingly unimportant differences to their advantage. They may even affect very important events in the course of a legal proceeding such as jury selection, for example.
What Will It Cost?
Depending on the nature of your case you may begin to be billed for legal advice right from the first time you meet a trial attorney. This is fairly typical if you have been accused of a crime. If your case involves suing another party for damages most law firms that handle such cases will only bill you when they win a settlement on your behalf. You should ask about payment and billing terms right from the start.
