Whether you’re looking for a real estate, litigation, family, or immigration law expert, there are key attributes you should reasonably expect, such as knowledge of the law, responsiveness and communication skills. There are also certain requirements that directly have something to do with their practice.
Based on our experience at Atlas Law Group, these are the four things you should expect from a legal expert if you need sound advice on real estate, litigation or immigration law.
There are firms that include certain types of law as a part of their huge portfolio of legal specialties. If your case involves Canadian immigration and their primary focus is not immigration law, they may not be adequately apprised in terms of changing laws and accelerated enforcement. In this case, you would do well to select a firm that clearly specializes in immigration matters and work with a visa immigration lawyer who understands the intricacies of immigration processes and legal requirements, as well as can give you the individualized attention you need.
The same can be said if you are seeking counsel on real estate-related matters, or require the representation of an expert litigator.
Aside from ensuring you’ll be dealing with a certified legal expert, you also need to research their track record with regard to cases related to yours. Are there reviews or testimonials from satisfied clients available online? Perhaps you can get referrals from friends and relatives who had similar cases handled by a law firm and have only stellar reviews of the lawyer who took charge of their case — these are good sources, too. And while you’re at it, make sure the lawyer you are getting has not been subjected to any form of reprimand or disciplinary action that can bring their ethics and integrity into question.
An experienced lawyer would know when to adopt similar approaches that could work the way they have for a previous client with the same circumstances as yours, as well as when they have to come up with an entirely new strategy. Whatever the strategy you work out together based on your situation, the plan should come with a timeline and a list of deliverables.
An experienced lawyer has to be clear in their communications with you, their client. More than just explaining the law to you and enumerating your options, discussing their fees, how they work, or your chances of winning your case, they should be realistic and honest in telling you straightway whether they can help you and what your chances are of succeeding. They should encourage you to ask questions such as those covering:
Moreover, the lawyer should always check if you understand everything that is being communicated to you. Anything that lacks clarity has to be explained until you have a full understanding of your case and where it stands.
If you decide to work with a lawyer, make sure you fully understand the proposed strategy and you know all the fees you will need to shoulder along the way. These should be embodied in a formal written contract that clearly spells out the expectations and obligations of both parties: your immigration lawyer and you, the client.
The law is intricate, dynamic and complex, so it helps to know you’re dealing with dedicated legal experts who know the law inside-out, whether you need help with real estate, litigation, or immigration law matters.
So, for expert legal advice, please contact Atlas Law Group — your trusted legal partner in Canada.
