If you are looking to hire an immigration lawyer, one of the first things that you may discover is that there are many lawyers who offer this type of service. Reading online reviews may help you to narrow down the field of attorneys, but sitting down for a consultation is the best way to help you find the right attorney for your needs. If you are sitting down for a consultation with an attorney, such as the professionals at Tully Rinckey, it is important to ask the right questions to ensure they are the right law firm for your needs. Here are a few of the most important questions to ask as you go about hiring an immigration lawyer.
What Type of Immigration Law Do You Focus On?
One of the first questions that you should ask when you are looking to hire an immigration lawyer is what type of immigration law the attorney you are considering working with primarily focuses on or handles. There are many different areas when it comes to immigration law. One type of lawyer may primarily handle legal asylum or refugees, while another may focus on family immigration law, such as fiancee visas or family member visas, and yet another may help those who are currently here illegally become legal under DACA laws.
Have You Ever Been Reprimanded or Disciplined By the American Bar Association?
Another important question to ask when you are looking to hire an immigration lawyer is whether they have ever been reprimanded or disciplined by the American Bar Association or the Bar association in their state. In many states, you can look up a lawyer’s status with the Bar association, including the ability to view disciplinary action. Always ask this question and then do your research to find out if disciplinary action has been taken.
Will You Handle My Case or Will Someone Else in the Office Handle My Case?
One of the lesser-known questions to ask when you are looking to hire an immigration lawyer is whether the attorney you are having a consultation with will handle your case or whether they will pass the case on to a different lawyer in the office. You want to know who is handling your case, and ideally, you want to have a consultation with that lawyer. This ensures you both are on the same page and allows you to see if your communication styles match.
How Do You Charge Your Clients?
Different lawyers charge differently for immigration services. One immigration attorney may charge by the hour, while another may charge a flat fee for the services they are providing. Prior to hiring any type of lawyer, you want to ask the attorney how they charge and how much they expect your case to run. Take the time to learn what the going rate is for attorneys offering similar services in your area, so you can find an attorney who offers fair and reasonable pricing for the services that they provide.
What Type of Outcome Do You Anticipate With My Case?
The final question that you should ask when you are looking to hire an immigration lawyer is what they expect or anticipate the outcome of your case to be. Lawyers may not be able to definitively tell you what will happen with your case. However, experienced attorneys in the field generally have a good idea, based on cases similar to yours that they have handled, as to what will happen with your case. A reputable and responsible lawyer will tell you about any challenges they expect to have to overcome with your case and any potential issues that you may face.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you are looking to hire an attorney is not having a consultation with them first. When you have a consultation, you are given the opportunity to ask an attorney questions and ensure you can both communicate effectively. This is key to helping you find the right attorney for your needs. If you are looking to hire an immigration attorney, schedule an appointment with Tully Rinckey Attorneys & Counselors at Law today.
