Applying for Jobs with a Criminal Record: Know Your Rights
Attorney's Fees: What You Should Know
Michelle Garrett
You never know when you will need an attorney. If you intend to buy a house or need someone to represent you in a legal matter, you need to understand just how valuable an attorney is. You may automatically assume you cannot afford an attorney. However, not all attorneys will bill clients in the same way. Here are some things you should know about attorney's fees.
Fees Are Negotiable
Not all attorneys will require a flat fee. Except for limitations in the law, an attorney has every right to negotiate their fees as necessary. Attorneys typically set legal fees based on their reputation, expertise, size of the firm, and your specific legal need. If you look in your immediate area, you may find that most attorney's fees are similar to ensure everyone is on the same playing field. In these cases, you may not find as much wiggle room in the fees as you would if you went to a different area or to a larger city.
Expensive Is Not Always the Best
One thing to remember is that just because an attorney has higher legal fees does not mean you will receive better service than one with less expensive fees. In many cases, you may pay more because the attorney is more prominent in your area and has a large caseload. You should base your decision on your legal needs and whether or not the attorney has the expertise to help you. You do not want to pay for an attorney's overhead, but for great representation.
Contingencies May Be an Option
Attorneys work on contingencies fairly often. In fact, most personal injury cases are done on contingency. Contingency means that your attorney does not charge you any legal fees unless you win your case. Although it may seem safe to take on representation on a contingency, you need to know how much the attorney will receive from your compensation. If you win a car accident case, the attorney will take a certain percentage of your settlement. Depending on your attorney, the fees can be almost half of your winnings. Still, this is a better deal than not winning anything. Just be sure you know how much you will have to pay once everything is said and done. If you are concerned you will not win anything unless you hire an attorney, contingencies are a great way to go.
For more information, reach out to an attorney in your area.
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I'll be up front: I have a criminal record. As someone who's spent lots--and lots--of time looking for a job in my life, I've gotten used to being up front with this fact. It's difficult to get hired with this on my record, and frankly, it never gets less scary to have to tell an interviewer about it. But that doesn't mean I'm unemployable. I'm a hard worker who can bring a lot to any company. And I also know what an employer needs to do for me. I know my rights. There's no federal law protecting me from discrimination due to my record, but there are plenty of state laws that make it a little easier for me. If you're looking for a job and you have a criminal record, read through this information. Protect yourself during a job search. Know your rights.