Some lawyers specialize in a particular type of law, such as family, tax, or criminal law, and they may charge higher fees than general practitioners. On the other hand, they may be able to get the job done faster for you, and so the overall cost may be the same or less. Most general practice lawyers also can handle a variety of legal matters. Ask the lawyer about the results of some recent cases similar to yours, including time spent and fees charged. Finally, ask the lawyer for names and phone numbers of clients you can call for references.
Some attorneys turn over much of their work to junior associates or paralegal assistants.
This can save the client money, but only if assistant services are billed separately from the lawyer's rate and if their work is well-supervised. You also may want to know whether the lawyer will be easily accessible to you by phone and if calls will be returned. A lawyer should be willing to openly discuss a time schedule and fees. Get the estimated hours of work and fees in writing. Most state bar associations have arbitration committees that, for a certain charge, will settle disputes that you may have with your lawyer about fees.