Honesty and integrity are one of the main pillars of the justice system. Whether a person is a judge, attorney, prosecutor or someone from law enforcement, there are certain measures that they should live up to. As a client, you should be able to distinguish those who really want to help you versus those who just want your hard-earned money. According to Kinney Fernandez & Boire, a known Tampa personal injury attorney, there are several benefits in hiring a reputable lawyer:
- Better chances of winning your case – reputable lawyers are experienced and know how to handle your case confidently and professionally. If a lawyer is confident that he or she can handle your case, you will increase your chances of getting a claim or delivering the verdict in your favor.
- Quality service – some attorneys attempt to run their businesses in quantities. If you don’t avail a service of a trusted lawyer, you may end up just being ‘one of their clients’ with lack of preparation and appropriate correspondence.
- Ease of process – attorneys who are experienced from the field already understand the most efficient ways to get through a case process. By hiring an experienced and honest lawyer, you can save time from having the burden of fixing your documents.
Kinney Fernandez & Boire helps us understand the importance of hiring an honest attorney and the signs of a fraudulent one.
How To Tell An Honest Attorney From A Fraud
Lack of presence on the web
Although not always, the lack of presence in the online world such as a professional website may be a potential sign of a fraud. You can attempt to look for the name of the law firm or the name of the lawyer, and if nothing related to legal services pops up, it may be a red flag. Some attorneys only advertise through traditional means, but with the digital age we now live in, it is less than likely that they would not already have their professional website by now. The lack of presence on the web could indicate the use of a fake name or a fraudulent company.
Sketchy payment schemes
There are many ways that a lawyer can get paid. For example, it can be through contingency fees, hourly rates, flat fees, or retainer plans. All of these payment options should go through a transparent process between you and your lawyer. If you sense that something seems unsettling with how they transact their rates with you, it may be a sign of trouble. For example, if you are looking for a Tampa personal injury attorney and you notice that the lawyer is requiring you to send money online to a different name while they are sending messages in an anonymous app, it should be a major warning sign for you.
Lack of knowledge of expertise questions
Most lawyers will get to interact with their clients personally. Another way to distinguish an honest lawyer from those who are not actual case handlers is to ask questions about your case. An honest lawyer will be able to answer even complex questions in their expertise, which indicates that they are aware of the law in your area. Uncertain answers or a lack of knowledge on the topics they are claiming to know can be a bad sign.
Absent in list of licensed lawyers
There are many resources you can use to find lawyers online. For example, you can use FindLaw to look for attorneys in your area. If a lawyer is absent from the list, it could also be an indicative sign.
Do not be swayed by fraudulent lawyers. By becoming more vigilant, you can find a professional who can best suit your needs.