Commercial litigation is one of the most complicated and stressful processes any business owner can face. Regardless of the details of the case, securing the services of a professional commercial litigation attorney is almost always required.
But unlike other services where you can simply use Google to select a company, hiring a commercial litigation attorney should be done cautiously. The business owner should be armed with information that makes them feel confident that they have selected the best possible legal representation to protect the interests of their company.
Before making any hiring decisions, it is good practice to interview multiple litigation attorneys. The screening process should be rigorous because the outcome of the legal proceedings may seal the fate of your business. One misstep or oversight could result in a judgment that jeopardizes the future of your company.
And while all practicing attorneys must meet the minimum educational requirements and demonstrate some level of competency to pass the bar exam, there can be differences in their skills and abilities when it comes down to representing your company. No matter what type of legal advice or representation you need, taking the time and effort to ensure you are selecting a great one can save you a ton of money and your company’s reputation.
So before beginning your journey to find the right commercial litigation attorney, be prepared to invest time and money in the process. It’s always a great idea to interview multiple options so that you can get a handle on what each might offer you during your legal proceedings. While this process may not be quick, it will likely deliver a better outcome. It’s also good to remember that great attorneys are expensive, and those that appear to be cheaper may cost you more in the long run if they aren’t competent in court.
Before setting up meetings with commercial litigation attorneys, it’s good practice to organize your thoughts and identify your needs. Be prepared to discuss what you are looking for in an attorney, your budget, and any relevant case details.
If you are unsure what questions to ask a commercial litigation attorney during an interview (as many individuals are), general questions may help kickstart the conversation. The varying responses to these questions will glean essential details that can help you make a good decision on the attorney to hire for your case.
Examples of general questions in a commercial litigation attorney interview may include:
- How long have you practiced commercial law? As with any profession, years of training, education, and experience often lead to better performance. This tenet isn’t always true, but it can give you a good baseline gauge of the attorney’s experience level.
- Do you have previous experience with cases similar to mine? While general experience is good, experience handling similar cases is even more pertinent. If they have handled many similar cases, you can feel more confident that they have spent time researching applicable laws and legal precedents.
- What was the outcome in similar cases? This question is direct, but the legal system is designed to support a win or a loss of a court case. And if possible, you want to select a commercial litigation attorney who has a record of winning similar cases.
- What legal action would you recommend in my circumstances? Commercial litigation can result in several different outcomes. The case could be dropped or settled, or it could be pursued using several different legal strategies. Before hiring an attorney, it’s good to have some idea of how they would proceed. Each path comes with potential risks and will require different amounts of time and resources.
- What is your billing structure? What will it cost to take my case? While no commercial litigation attorney can tell you the exact costs, you should have some general idea of your financial responsibility if you retain their services.
- How long can I expect the process to be? Depending upon the details of your case, it could be resolved in months while others drag on for decades. And generally speaking, the longer the case draws out, the more it will cost you and your business.
- Do you have client testimonials? A great attorney may provide you with client testimonials that speak to their expertise and willingness to work when representing your company. Hearing what past clients have to say can be very compelling when deciding whether or not to hire a candidate.
Commercial litigation is a nightmare for many business owners. But selecting the right attorney can shift the odds in your favor. To learn more about commercial litigation, contact the experienced commercial litigation team at Grellas Shah today.