vania-janet/multiturn-rag-retrieval-data huggingface dataset:
Hire a lawyer | California Courts | Self Help Guide
When you meet with a lawyer, ask them questions to make sure you know what the lawyer will do for you and how much it will cost. You will then have to decide for yourself if this is the lawyer for you.

Questions to ask when interviewing a lawyer
Ask about their experience
What is your experience in this field? 
Have you handled cases like mine before? 
When is the last time you handled a case like mine?
Will anyone else be working on my case? For example, an associate lawyer, legal assistant, paralegal? 
If another lawyer will be the one mostly handling your case, ask if you can meet them.
What they expect may happen in your case
What steps will be involved in my case? 
What are the possible outcomes?
How long do you expect this case to take?
What are my alternatives? Is arbitration or mediation a possibility?
How will you keep me informed as the case progresses?
How do they charge
How do you charge for your time and that of your staff? 
Do you charge by the hour, a fixed fee, or on contingency? 
Do you require a retainer?
What other expenses will there be, and how are they calculated?
What can be done to reduce fees and costs? (Costs include telephone calls, photocopying, assistant help, court fees, travel expenses, and so on.)
Can you put your estimates in writing?
How often will I be billed?
Can I do some of the work?

Deciding whether to hire the lawyer
Once you get answers to your questions, consider:
Will you be comfortable working closely with the lawyer?
Do you think the lawyer has the experience and skill to handle your case?
Do you understand the lawyer's explanation of what your case involves?
Does the fee seem reasonable?
If the answers are yes, you may want to hire this lawyer. Make sure you understand the agreement before you sign it. If you are not comfortable with any of the terms, do not sign it. And if you cannot work out your disagreement, you may want to find a new lawyer.

 Working with a lawyer for part of your case
Hire a lawyer | California Courts | Self Help Guide
Hire a lawyer | California Courts | Self Help Guide

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Hire a lawyer
You can successfully represent yourself in many types of court cases, but law can be very complicated.  It can be very useful to have a lawyer’s help.

Deciding to hire a lawyer
 You can hire a lawyer to help with your entire case. Or, you can hire a lawyer to help with just part of your case. For example, the lawyer writes an agreement for you or advises you about your options and possible outcomes. 
When is it best to hire a lawyer?

You have a complicated case or a case that may become complicated. You may not always realize a case is or could be complicated without talking to a lawyer.
The other side has a lawyer.
You want legal advice.
You want a confidential attorney-client relationship.
You want to discuss strategies for your case, like where to file your lawsuit, whether to file a response, whether to ask for a jury, and many other decisions that will come up during the case.
You want someone to negotiate for you with the other side.
You are worried that the other side will not “play fair” (a lawyer is more likely to notice this and know what to do).
You are going to have a jury trial. There are complicated decisions to make during a jury trial, from choosing a jury to how to effectively present a case to a jury.
You are too close emotionally to the case and have a hard time seeing things objectively.

 

 Finding a lawyer

 Some ways you can find a lawyer:
Hire a lawyer | California Courts | Self Help Guide
Do you understand the lawyer's explanation of what your case involves?
Does the fee seem reasonable?
If the answers are yes, you may want to hire this lawyer. Make sure you understand the agreement before you sign it. If you are not comfortable with any of the terms, do not sign it. And if you cannot work out your disagreement, you may want to find a new lawyer.

 Working with a lawyer for part of your case

 A lawyer can handle some parts of your case while you handle others. This is called limited-scope representation. Limited-scope representation can be a great way for you to have legal help with your case while keeping costs down.

 Understanding legal fees

 Make sure you are clear about how you will be billed. Lawyers bill in different ways:

Fixed fee
The lawyer charges a set fee to do something, usually for routine legal matters

Hourly fee
The lawyer charges by the hour

Retainer fee
A "down payment" on any legal services. The legal fees will be subtracted from the retainer. If the retainer starts to run out, you may need to add more money.

Contingency fee
You pay the lawyer from the money you receive if you win the case or settle it out of court. If you lose, the lawyer does not receive a fee.

Statutory fee
The cost is set by law

The lawyer will also charge you for the costs of your case (filing fees, copying expenses, expert fees). You will be responsible for paying these costs even if your case is not successful. Costs can add up quickly. It is a good idea to ask the lawyer for a written estimate of what the costs will be.

 Handling problems with a lawyer

 If you have questions or concerns about your case, first talk to your lawyer. If you are having serious problems with your lawyer and have been unable to resolve them, there are other things you can do.
The State Bar also has a lot of information about what to do if you are having problems with your lawyer.

 

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Legal Services Fraud Alert for Renters

Los Angeles: Stay Housed LA, 1-888-694-0040, provides virtual workshops and can help you find legal assistance.
San Francisco: San Francisco’s Tenant Right to Counsel guarantees any tenant the right to legal counsel in an eviction matter. If you face eviction in San Francisco and cannot afford a lawyer, contact Eviction Defense Collaborative, for assistance. This group may also be able to help with rent assistance.
Other areas: Use LawHelpCA to find free or low-cost legal help in your area. Also, Tenants Together’s directory of local resources is focused specifically on tenants.  
Consider using a State Bar Certified Lawyer Referral Service. More on the benefits of using a certified lawyer referral service.
Be wary of attorneys who approach you in person or by telephone to offer legal services, as direct solicitation is generally prohibited. 

Before you hire a lawyer

If you are considering hiring an attorney, look up their profile on the State Bar website to confirm they are licensed. You can check for license status and whether they have a history of discipline.
Ask whether the attorney carries liability or malpractice insurance.
Ask prospective attorneys how they will respond to your needs, and how quickly they return calls. You and your attorney should agree on how you will communicate.
Make sure you understand the fee agreement. 
Ask for a copy of the retainer agreement. Verify that the services that you have hired them for are written clearly on the agreement.  

More information

Reporting problems

This section of our website provides some tips on resolving problems with your attorney.

If you believe your attorney has acted unethically, file an attorney misconduct complaint so the State Bar can look into it.
If you believe the person you have hired is not eligible to practice law or is not really an attorney, you can file an unauthorized practice of law complaint. 

More information

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How to Avoid Problems with Your Attorney 

Be aware, however, that unexpected developments can delay the process.
Ask your lawyer to keep you updated on your case. You might ask the lawyer to send you copies of letters and any official documents filed in court as well.
If you do not agree with your lawyer’s advice, let them know, and listen to their explanation.
 If you are not satisfied with the answers, ask another lawyer for a second opinion. You may also consider hiring another lawyer, although this may delay the resolution of your case. 

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 Please note that the Judicial Council of California does not provide legal advice or interpret the law. If you need legal assistance, have a question regarding a traffic citation or a particular case, or have a complaint about a judge or an attorney, review the Frequently Asked Questions below, or visit our FAQs page where you will find additional information on many court-related issues.

The following information must be obtained from your local trial court

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Please contact the clerk's office at the court where your case or record was originally filed.
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Q: Where can I find judgments, filings, complaints, and divorce decrees?

A: You must contact the clerk's office at the court where your case was filed. You may find all court phone numbers, street addresses, and website addresses here.

Q: How do I find information on a court case?

A: To find information about cases for the California Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, and some Superior Courts, visit the courts section.

You may find information on some Supreme Court and appellate cases at https://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/ Please note that not all cases are available online.
For courts that do not post filings online, contact the clerk's office at the court of jurisdiction. Contact information for all California courts can be found a here.

Q: How do I locate information about an old case?

If you are seeking information on a case older than 120 days you may consider visiting your local law library, which should have access to computer-assisted research systems (e.g., LawDesk, Lexis, Westlaw, Findlaw). A law librarian should be able to assist you.
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Legal Services Referral Listing: Sacramento Superior Court

Provides resources and information to help navigate a court case, including step-by-step guides for following procedures
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A: Search the Find a Court section of the California Courts website and look for Contact Info on your local court's website.

Q: What should I do if I need legal advice?

A: The Judicial Council staff organization, which administers the California Courts website, does not provide legal advice or interpret the law for the general public.

If you need legal advice, you will find many useful resources in the section on free and low-cost legal help at our online Self-Help Center. Specifically, the Lawyers and Legal Help section provides you the contact information for low-cost and free legal help. You can also contact the lawyer referral service in your area to get help finding a lawyer for a consultation. 
 

Q: How do I find out about a particular trial court case, past or current?

A: Check with the court where the case was filed. Search the Find a Court section of the California Courts website. If you can provide the court with some specific facts about the case, such as case number, case name, or date, the court may be able to assist you.

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Q: How do I complain about an attorney?

A: Complaints about an attorney should be directed to The State Bar of California. Call the Attorney Complaint Hotline (1-800-843-9053) or download an Attorney Complaint Form from the State Bar's website http://www.calbar.ca.gov.
Hire a lawyer | California Courts | Self Help Guide
Handling problems with a lawyer

 If you have questions or concerns about your case, first talk to your lawyer. If you are having serious problems with your lawyer and have been unable to resolve them, there are other things you can do.
The State Bar also has a lot of information about what to do if you are having problems with your lawyer.

 

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