HIRING A LAWYER

Contact Ciccarelli Law Offices Hiring an attorney, lawyer, or law firm may not be an easy decision.

The process for retaining or finding an advocate for you often starts with finding a lawyer who understands your legal problem; has the experience to provide you legal advice that matters and makes sense; and has the tenacity and determination to resolve your legal problem, whether by negotiation or litigation.

Unlike a medical crisis, where you often have your family doctor’s help in selecting a specialist, the decision for hiring the best lawyer and getting the best legal advice for your family is often made without that benefit. Most people do not have a family lawyer or a lawyer they feel close enough to come to for general legal advice.

Often, people begin looking for a lawyer to represent them when they are confronted with a crisis. They may be dealing with a family death, serious injury, divorce, or criminal charge. Consider hiring an attorney who is both friendly and supportive, but also experienced at taking on the tough cases.

Lawyers should be selected for their expertise and experience in specific categories of cases. The “right lawyer” is the person who has substantial experience handling a case very similar to yours, who can and will take action at once. She or he does not have to “look into it,” “think about it and call you back” or “check the most recent court decisions.” The “right lawyer” knows what to do immediately, acts effectively and with little wasted effort or wasted expenditures of your money.

Think carefully about the legal services you require. You may need on-going, regular legal advice from someone who has experience advising individuals or businesses in your line of work. Other attorneys have particular experience in drafting contracts or wills, representing estates or working through land development or zoning-related issues. Many lawyers practice law for a lifetime and never set foot in a courtroom because their work is primarily consultative and oriented toward planning. Other attorneys focus on providing remedies that require litigation, and are experienced in appearing before juries and trying complex civil and criminal cases. The bottom line is that there are many, many lawyers. You just need one. The “right” one.

Are you considering hiring a lawyer?
Are you uncertain where to turn to get the help you need?

Hiring an attorney, lawyer, or law firm may not be an easy decision. However, there are many times in life when hiring a lawyer may be necessary. After all, not hiring a lawyer could cost you a significant amount of time, money, and even your rights.

Whether you are facing rising medical bills after a car accident or looking at jail time after a DUI arrest, you need a staunch legal advocate on your side to protect you during the legal process.

While our justice system was built to protect you and society from harm, it doesn’t always work the way it is intended to. Sometimes, innocent people are put behind bars. Sometimes, injured accident victims are treated unfairly. And sometimes, parents lose their parental rights during a divorce. This doesn’t have to be you. With a lawyer on your side, you can rest assured knowing that your rights are protected throughout the entire legal process. From negotiations to settlements and everything in between, your attorney will have your best interests in mind.

Hire the Right Lawyer the First Time

But how can you hire a lawyer, and more importantly, how do you know you’re hiring the right lawyer?

The process for retaining or finding an advocate for you often starts with finding a lawyer who understands your legal problem. You need an attorney that has the experience to provide you legal advice that matters and makes sense. You also need an attorney who has the tenacity and determination to resolve your legal problem, whether by negotiation or litigation.

Often, people begin looking for a lawyer to represent them when they are confronted with a crisis. They may be dealing with a family death, serious injury, divorce, or criminal charge. This crisis may prevent them from objectively evaluating the attorney and the law firm. After all, you have questions and you need someone fast who can answer them.

However, this is often the wrong approach. Instead, take a minute to consider these tips when searching for the right lawyer. A little extra time and consideration can make all the difference when going through the legal process.

Steps to Hiring a Lawyer

Types of Cases

Find a lawyer that specializes in your type of case. You need a law firm and a lawyer that understands the issues you are dealing with.

For example, if you suffered an injury in a car accident, you need a personal injury lawyer. Likewise, if you were arrested for DUI, you need a criminal defense lawyer that handles DUI cases. Lawyers should be selected for their expertise and experience in specific categories of cases.

The “right lawyer” is the person who has substantial experience handling a case very similar to yours, who can and will take action at once. She or he does not have to “look into it,” “think about it and call you back” or “check the most recent court decisions.” The “right lawyer” knows what to do immediately, acts effectively and with little wasted effort or wasted expenditures of your money.

Some attorneys, like the attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices, practice a wide range of law. This enables us to be on your side no matter what life throws your way.

Ask Questions

When you meet with one of our attorneys during a FREE initial case evaluation and consultation, come prepared with questions you may have. We want you to ask questions, so we can give you the answers you need from the start. If you don’t have many questions, don’t worry. We will talk with you and discuss your case thoroughly. In this meeting, you will have time to evaluate our law firm and determine if we are the right firm to represent you.

Here are just some of the questions we can cover in our first meeting.

Why are you considering hiring an attorney?
What issues are you dealing with?
What type of consequences are you facing?
If you were injured, what type of injury did you suffer?
How long will your case take?
How much compensation could you receive?
What are your legal options?
Have you already spoken with the insurance company?
Have you already spoken with the police?
What is the attorney-client relationship?
What types of resources are available?
What are the fees and payments required?

Experience Matters

When you meet with an attorney at Ciccarelli Law Offices, ask about our past cases and success. Experience matters and our track record speaks for itself. You want to hire an attorney that is not only supportive and aggressive, but who also has the experience needed to litigate tough cases if necessary. Our lawyers have considerable success negotiating settlements for our clients. However, we are also litigators who have won numerous cases in courts of law across Pennsylvania. We have successfully represented over 15,000 clients during 30 years practicing law across the state.

Here are some of our recent successes:

$2.6 Million for a motor vehicle accident client
$700,000 for a motorcycle accident client
$400,000 for a car accident with a police cruiser
Acquitted on all accounts for an attempted homicide case
Not guilty of all counts after a DUI charge
No charges filed after investigation for Felony embezzlement charges

Discuss Fees and Rates

When you meet with an attorney, you need to understand the charges and fees associated with hiring them. Some attorneys work on a contingency basis. Others charge an hourly fee. It is important to discuss fees and payments upfront, so you can avoid miscommunication down the road. Pennsylvania state ethics requires all lawyers to charge reasonable fees. Your attorney should be able to provide you with a breakdown of those fees in writing and what payments will be required.

At Ciccarelli Law Offices, we will be happy to discuss the payment structure and fees we charge. We pride ourselves in offering our clients affordable, yet aggressive legal representation they can count on. We even take our personal injury cases on a contingency basis. That means that you do not pay us anything, unless we can collect money for you. We want everyone to have the legal support and guidance they need during the dark moments of their lives.

Location Matters

If you live in Pennsylvania, you need a Pennsylvania lawyer that understands the local and states laws that will apply to your case. A lawyer near you will also have a thorough understanding of the local courthouses and the judges that will likely preside over your case. This knowledge can help you significantly if your case goes to trial.

At Ciccarelli Law Offices, we know the ins and outs of Pennsylvania law. We have been practicing law here and representing residents for over 30 years. Our lawyers have successfully helped individuals in Philadelphia, and throughout Chester County. In addition, we are proud to help residents of Lancaster County, Monroe County, Lebanon County, Delaware County, Berks County, Bucks County, Dauphin County, and Northampton County.

Our offices are conveniently located in West Chester, Kennett Square, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Springfield, Plymouth Meeting, Radnor, and Malvern.

You Just Need the Right Attorney

Think carefully about the legal services you require. You may need ongoing, regular legal advice from someone who has experience advising individuals or businesses in your line of work. Other attorneys have particular experience in drafting contracts or wills, representing estates or working through land development or zoning-related issues. Many lawyers practice law for a lifetime and never set foot in a courtroom because their work is primarily consultative and oriented toward planning. Other attorneys focus on providing remedies that require litigation, and are experienced in appearing before juries and trying complex civil and criminal cases.

The bottom line is that there are many, many lawyers. You just need one. The “right” one.

Hiring a Lawyer from Ciccarelli Law Offices

At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our Pennsylvania attorneys are both passionate in what they do and compassionate in their treatment of their clients. You deserve a Pennsylvania lawyer that is available when you need him, treats you with respect, and protects your rights vigorously.

We make your choice all the clearer with locations throughout the metropolitan Philadelphia Pennsylvania, including Center City Philadelphia, West Chester PA, Kennett Square PA, Malvern, Lancaster PA, King of Prussia PA, Plymouth Meeting PA, Radnor and Springfield PA.

We also serve Downingtown, Exton, Paoli, Phoenixville, Media, Norristown, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Reading and Allentown. For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Pennsylvania attorney at Ciccarelli Law Offices, by contacting us at (610) 692-8700 or toll free at (877) 529-2422 or fill out our confidential contact form below!