Legal and Lawyers

Legal aid is free assistance to individuals who have low-income but have a need for non-criminal related services. In the usual case, US citizens can qualify for legal aid if the legal assistance that they need is for a civil matter such as consumer rights or a divorce.

There are also a huge network of legal aid offices and Community Legal Clinics, spread across the country to assist those in need of legal assistance. However, not everyone will be entitled to free legal aid, you must first qualify for it.

First of all, the legal aid office will look at your personal financial circumstances to decide if you qualify. As every situation is different, it all depends on your family responsibilities and your monthly expenses. For instance, if your legal situation is serious and you have little or no money left after you pay for the necessities like transport and lodging, it is likely that you will be able to qualify for it. In addition, people with no income or are unemployed are also very likely to qualify financially for legal aid.

For people with little income or money, legal aid is offered to them free of charge. People who have a little money but insufficient to hire a lawyer may have to contribute some money out of their own pockets. In this case, you will be asked to sign a Payment Agreement which states the terms of payment to the legal aid office. There are a few choices open to you. You may wish to pay legal aid a certain amount or pay

a lump sum of money every month. You can also opt to have a lien put on your house or property. In other words, you agree to pay legal aid back when you sell or refinance your house, when you renew the mortgage on your house or within five years, whichever comes first.

As mentioned earlier, not everyone will be able to obtain free legal aid. If you do not qualify for legal aid, you can still approach the Community Legal Clinics for assistance. These clinics have lawyers and trained legal workers to give you advice and represent you. The cases they deal with include housing, (landlord and tenant) social assistance (welfare), pension, Worker's Compensation, employment insurance and immigration and employment rights issues. If your case falls within one of these categories, you can go to your nearest community legal clinic to obtain more information.

Another alternative is that you can go back to the legal aid office and approach them for an appeal form. After filling up the appeal form, you will get an appointment to speak to the area committee. This usually takes place in about two or three weeks. At the meeting with the committee (which comprises a group of three lawyers), you will have to defend your decision to file for an appeal and convince them to grant you the legal aid.

For your application to be completed, it will take around two to three weeks. Your lawyer cannot officially start working on your file until he has a legal aid certificate.

If your situation is an emergency, you will have to inform the legal aid staff who will help you to fill out another application. This will enable them to tell you right away whether you can get legal aid. If you already have a lawyer, legal aid will mail the certificate directly to your lawyers. If you do not have a lawyer, it is recommended that you approach one while waiting for your certificate.

For more information on getting free legal aid, legal aid services or legal aid lawyer, please visit Legal Aid Resources

Legal advice or lawful instruction may be understood as the teaching or making clear of vital information to a person by someone who is learned in the ways of the law, most notably a lawyer.

To many, legal advice is absolutely indispensable in everyday life, especially for those who own businesses or those whose lines of work bring them into constant and repeated brushes with the law.

Legal advice is carried out by the officer of the law, taking into cognizance all the tenets of the law, applying its abstract principles and using them to formulate concrete facts that can work within the constitution. They use these to clarify your rights and privileges as well as outline the best course of action for you to take regarding a pressing matter.

Legal advice differs from legal information in that the latter is merely an echo of fact, a restatement of the law the very way it is written. Legal advice on the other hand involves studies of the law, its origins, its metamorphosis or evolution over time, etc, and comes up with a solution that best suits a situation.

The mental capacity of the adviser, the extra hard work they out in by not just reproducing the law 'as is', but going extra lengths to craft out a workable solution is what amounts to being paid for.

Legal advice is important to you and anyone at all because ignorance of the law can lead you into a criminal situation that ignorance of the law cannot get you out of. Once the lawyer or legal adviser has considered all the angles possible, they help you take actions without fear of what may happen since you are on the right side of the law.

If you choose to ignore the advice, you do so only to your own detriment. There is no way you can possibly know the law as well as someone who has spent years studying it!

Legal aid refers to the act of providing legal help to people who are unable to pay for their court representations out of their pockets. This setup is specially requested by the liberal groups to ensure that the poor and the foreign people will be properly represented in court. This thus resulted in the emergence of legal aid lawyers who are willing to offer their expertise to people who can't afford to hire a attorney.

In most circumstances, a legal aid lawyer will only be available if you can't afford one to represent you at a court, tribunal or other judicial body. For criminal offences, you have the option to choose your own lawyer if you wish to. If not, the Legal Aid Society will assign a lawyer suitable for your case off the list of approved lawyers.
For disputes relating to civil, family and domestic violence, you will have to find your own lawyer.

There are a few things that you must know before you approach any legal aid lawyer. Your lawyer must generally be based in the location where your case is to be heard. In addition, he must be able to appear at court when needed In other words, he has to be willing and available to represent you in court. More importantly, your lawyer should have the right experience to deal with your case. You can find out more about the lawyer by searching on the internet or contacting the association that the lawyer is affiliated to.

On the other hand, there are some important items that you need to provide when you approach your lawyer. This will help him to assess your situation better. It is essential that you provide information on the following:

• any letters or documents about your case
• your personal and financial details, including proof of your earnings and weekly expenses
• any income support or family support you receive
• any property or assets you own
• any debts or mortgages that you might have.

If you have a partner (de facto or married) you also have to provide details of their financial situation. However, if your dispute is with your partner, they don't have to fill out a form. In some cases, you may be required to pay a contribution towards your legal aid costs. There are a few ways that you can do this. You can opt to pay a lump sum, or pay in installments by automatic payment. Another alternative is to pay the costs from the money you get if your case is successful.

For more information on getting free legal aid, legal aid services or legal aid lawyer, please visit Legal Aid Resources

There are a lot of good lawyers out there, but sometimes you may end up with a bad one. What do you do? If your lawyer hasn't properly represented you, you should try to work it out first. For instance, you may want to hire another lawyer to help your case. You can also report ethics violations to the bar association.

If you are still not happy with these alternatives, you may consider a legal malpractice claim. However, a legal malpractice claim can be hard to prove. There are three types of legal malpractice claims.

The first type is Negligence. Negligence occurs when your lawyer represents you with poor standard and care. Here are some examples of negligence.

- Poor preparation for trial

- Fail to follow court orders

- Missing important deadlines in your case

The second type is Breach of contract. It happens when your lawyer violates agreements with you.

The third type is Breach of fiduciary duty. It happens when your attorney has a conflict of interest that harms your case. Here are some examples of Breach of fiduciary duty.

- Your attorney represents another client to your disadvantage.

- Your lawyer lies to you about important case information

- Your lawyer makes sexual advances toward you.

Suing your lawyer is not going to be easy. You must prove:

- Your lawyer incompetently represents you.

- Your lawyer made a significant mistake in your case.

Your lawyer's incompetent can be very difficult to prove. You should review your chances of success before proceeding.

It has been said that having a good lawyer is worth his or her weight in gold because though they can keep people out of jail, help in law suits and divorces, or just offer sound legal advice. However, what should a prospective client look for in their lawyer when deciding on legal representation? Check for credentials, experience, and the type of attorney needed.

Deciding on the right kind of lawyer is important when trying to find the right type of legal representation. There are a variety of attorney types that are better suited to handling different kinds of legal matters. There are defense attorney, insurance attorneys, and many others, so when looking for representation, factor in the type of case that is being reviewed.

A lawyer's credentials are also an important piece of information to consider before hiring an attorney. Different types of credentials include the college or university they attended, the law school they graduated from, and their scores on the BAR examination. Better lawyers' credentials are impeccable and most attorneys are more than willing to share this information.

Experience is also an area that prospective clients should account for during the hiring process. Attorneys that have more experience in handling specific types of cases will be better suited to producing favorable outcomes for their clients. Older attorneys are usually more experienced but enthusiasm and a high energy level is a positive aspect of choosing a younger lawyer.

Tips for finding a good lawyer are important to review because of the severity of fines and punishments that can be incurred by the legal system. When choosing an attorney, select a lawyer with experience and impeccable credentials. Make the legal system work in your favor rather than become a victim of the harsher side of the law.

With specialized training in tax processes for their areas of license, tax attorneys can prove to be quite helpful in matters dealing with income tax agencies and resolving tax related issues that may arise in one's life time. In countries where citizens may be obligated to pay tax on their earnings, those citizens will inevitably have to correspond with their federal tax agency at some point in their life times.

Keeping Abreast On Legal Issues
It is helpful to know some of the tax laws that apply to an individual situation. Knowing what obligations may apply can help in determining whether or not a tax lawyer is needed. One of the most common reasons a tax lawyer is hired is to dispute the amount of taxes a collection agency claims is owed by a tax payer. There is a lengthy appeal process involved in many places, which requires a high level of organization and a thorough knowledge of tax laws.

Keeping On The Right Side Of The Law
Tax lawyers are also helpful if someone is charged under a tax related legislation for failing to report their income, failing to pay income tax, income tax evasion, or even failing to pay fines under a particular tax legislation. Tax lawyers are also great resources for businesses, who are frequently put under the microscope to ensure their activities are operating within the confines of their tax agency.

Keeping Financial Affairs Straight
In the case of a death, tax lawyers can be very helpful in keeping financial affairs straight and helping the surviving family create plans to ensure any and all tax debts are paid as soon as possible, as well as ensuring that any relative outstanding affairs pertaining to the estate of the deceased are dealt with accordingly. Many tax agencies do not consider the grief of a family after someone has passed on, and it can be hard for those people to deal with the issues at hand. An experienced and qualified tax attorney can help with these issues, leaving a family to grieve.

Different Lawyers Based On Your Needs
Some countries have vast laws in place affecting people of different incomes and statures within their society. In some places, those with estates of high value or those who have monetary assets stored in the form of savings plans may have to report far more information to their tax agency. A tax lawyer can be of invaluable guidance in these manners, as they will know exactly what information the agency requires.

Anytime a complication arises when dealing with income tax agencies, it is highly recommended to contact an attorney who specializes in tax law. This can help avoid a great deal of hassle and may help avoid additional fines and interest, or even such penalties that one may not be obligated to serve.

Our Everyday Needs For Lawyer

When you need to prepare your Last Will, start your own business, purchase a house, or you are taking into account the possibility of a lawsuit you want to ask for a legal assistance to carry on with this process. You need someone who will advise you about your legal rights in corresponding with the law. You need consultation with a lawyer.

Lawyers will provide you with the information about the legislation process that may or may not affect you. Selecting for an attorney at law needs time and effort considering that there are many types of attorneys that are specializing on specific cases.

Why Don't We Have One?

Finding an attorney that could address your needs can be tedious job for most people. This could be the reason why there are some people who are not given proper legal assistance because they do not have the means to search for an adequate lawyer to handle their specific legal problem. Furthermore, lawyers who are concentrating on particular areas are asking higher professional fee than the general practitioners.

What Is The Solution?

With these problems of difficulty in seeking for legal assistance in mind, the Pre-paid legal services were created to address this need. It is an avant-garde concept in providing legal services and seeking justice for all. The company has been around for over 33 years now and has served more than 1.4 million families. They also have numerous firms that are serving clients all over USA and Canada.

The Pre-Paid Legal Services, Incorporated is the forerunner in designing, underwriting, and marketing the legal expense plans in the United States. The Pre-Paid Legal expense plans or commonly referred to as membership plans are created to offer various legal services. It works similarly with the HMO's or the reimbursement plans for medical field. There is a monthly membership fee that is less than a cop of coffee a day.

As a member of the legal expense plan, you are entitled for a professional legal counsel. The membership covers not only the conventional legal problems, but also other common daily events that need a legal assistance such as, traffic violations, legal concerns on an insurance company, buying a car or a house assistance for creating a will, handling identity theft cases, divorces, being overcharged somewhere and many other situations wherein there is a need for legal services.

Additionally, the access for the legal counsel is very easy; the member's only needs to call their toll-free number and the company will handle the matter.

The procedure is trouble-free and there's no any hassle of searching for the right and qualified attorney to handle the case. The members will not bother to sign any claim forms and they will not be anxious if they cannot afford to pay the lawyers professional fee. The membership plan will directly handle and manage your legal concerns automatically.

The company also assures their clients that the law firm that handles their cases is circumspectly examined and precisely selected. Members will have a peace of mind that their legal concerns will be properly taken care of.

What Can I Get?

Simply, with the help of PPLS Company you will enjoy the following benefits:

1. Consultation with a lawyer as many times as you want
2. Ask them ANY personal, professional of financial questions
3. You won't receive a bill!

You are given the power of knowing and exercising your legal rights for a membership fee of $26 or less a month! This is $312 a year and this is what you are going to pay just for 1 hour of lawyer consultation without Pre-Paid Legal Service.

Lawyers have been around for a long time, and the profession is as old as almost any in civilization. Lawyers usually specialize in any number of sectors in the legal arena, from real estate, to corporate law, to criminal prosecution or defense, and many more. Later jobs in the IT sense, such as those you'll find in legal IT jobs, though, are relatively new.

That's because IT, or information technology, itself is relatively new as a profession. And just as with other areas in IT, IT needs legal protection and direction, too.

Which legal IT jobs can you do?
In general, legal IT jobs focus on those the IT lawyer would do, although of course, you can also work as a paralegal for an IT lawyer.

Getting legal IT jobs:
To be an IT lawyer, you'll need to go to college and specialize in prelaw, then go to law school and focus on information technology as your specialty. Most IT lawyers also must get what's called a JD degree (Juris Doctor) and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree as well. These are advanced degrees, somewhat like getting an MBA, for example. You will also need to be admitted to the bar in your state.

As an IT attorney, you will handle matters related to IT. You may, for example, negotiate, interpret, or draft agreements for software maintenance and licensing, you may do agreements for IT consulting, you may get involved in legal issues for website hosting and development, you may get involved in legal issues for e-commerce, and/or you may handle dispute resolutions related to any of these things, including Internet domain name portfolio issues for clients as applicable.

The information technology sector is so diverse that information technology lawyers and other IT jobs in legal area are not as distinctly broken out as in some areas. In addition, new information is being added to the sector all the time. For example, you may also manage business-to-business and business to consumer arrangements for things like IT outsourcing, hardware or software supply, and/or implementation agreements for these things. You may contract for a website developer or consultant for projects that have been on the Internet, and you may also provide expertise for confidentiality agreements, nondisclosure agreements, and the like. Data protection, too, is important when one works online, such that you may be handling contracts for clients like Internet service providers who need to protect the data of their customers, and so on.

As with other areas of the law, you'll also need to keep abreast of changes in IT laws and keep clients advised of these changes, so that you can protect your clients' interests and make sure that they don't break any laws that they may not be aware of; this can be especially problematic in the fast changing world of IT.

Getting legal IT jobs:
After you've done the proper schooling, you can check with your school's career counseling department to find employment; in addition, many law firms also recruit top-notch candidates to work in their firms after graduation. You can also work internships while you're in school to make sure you get the experience necessary to show prospective employers that you've already been "on the job," so to speak, and therefore will be more attractive to employers.

Finding a good lawyer is as far as many of us go when it comes to dealing with legal issues, leaving said lawyer to handle the case and all the complicated legal-talk from there onwards. For that very reason however it's crucial that you pick the right man or woman for the job, otherwise you could cost yourself a fair bit of money or just dealing with an arrogant hot head.

Locating a good lawyer isn't always easy however and many people have no idea how to go about it. Of course one place to find local lawyers is in the phone book, or looking online. Of course the problem with this method however is that you have no information (other than the biased marketing spiel presented on the websites) regarding the actual quality of said lawyer. Of course you will stand a slightly better chance of avoiding Delboy-types if you go through a respected law firm but you still won't know exactly what you're getting.

One much better way to get information regarding lawyers then is to get personal referrals. Ask friends and families if they have know any good lawyers and if they can recommend them. Some people with have their own lawyer that they call on for all their legal cases - as that lawyer is getting repeat business it's a fairly safe bet that they're at least competent at what they do. Similarly if you know of someone who's had the same problem as you - say an accident at work - then you could get in contact with them and ask who they used and whether or not their case was successful. Don't take these referrals to be 100% accurate as different people have different opinions, so you should try to get information from as many sources as possible. Similarly if you don't know any friends with good lawyers you may be able to get referrals from businesses and possibly even your place of work. This can be particularly helpful if you run a small business yourself and are looking for a business lawyer. Professional 'lawyer referral' services exist and can often be found online that provide quick and comprehensive guidance.

You may even get lucky however and have a lawyer as a friend, or a friend of a friend. In these cases you have the benefit of there being a pre-existing relationship and the lawyer will most likely want to do right by you. However this can also be risky as they say not to mix friendship and business and it's possible that a friend might take more liberties than a third party, or that disagreements or failure on their part could strain your relationship. Consider the person and your relationship to them then decide if it's a wise move.

Once you have a name you should look into their records and history. Many directories provide this option such as Nolo, MartinDale or Findlaw. Using such a directory you can check that your prospective lawyer has a valid license, has passed their Bar test and a bit more information from their personal profile such as their experience, history and philosophy of practicing. This way you can get a good idea of how much expertise your lawyer and a brief glimpse of their professional history.

As well as checking that your lawyer has a good history and is able to work in your area, normally you will want to choose a lawyer who specialises in the subject you're dealing with. In cases where you've dealt with the lawyer before then it won't matter if they don't normally focus on cases like yours, but if you've got a large choice then you may as well improve your odds of success by getting a lawyer who specialises in your type of case and a 'general practitioner' may not have all of the information regarding your circumstances if you're a small business for example.

Securing a good lawyer can prove challenging if not frustrating. However the basic guidelines are the same in most countries. It is recommended to get a lawyer who can be your 'legal coach' and agent all at once. From the start, a good lawyer connects with his client. Determine if there is a fit, albeit the personality fit is very important, as you, the client must get sense of security from the initial contact. Jamaican Attorney-at-law Charles Williams, with over 25 years experience advises the client to ask many questions, and pay attention to vital testers such as chemistry and accessibility, right from the start.

He says lawyers should be able to give an idea of the time frame involved and necessary stages for resolving the problem to be achieved. Clients need to 'know' that they have the last word, although the lawyer advises on all possible outcomes says another attorney Jacqueline Samuels. The client should therefore recognize the critical value of outlining his or her desired course of action. In any country, clients must research whether the lawyer is fully certified, and qualified to represent you, especially in court, by the relevant body. In Jamaica, lawyers conduct minimal advertising such as telephone directory listings. However, directory listings are not sufficient guidelines to locate a good lawyer.

The old-fashioned way - through friends, families and acquaintances can never wear thin. Additionally, choosing, based on reputation or observation, can be highly beneficial. Observations can be done by attending court and seeing lawyers in action or, at times, through knowledge of a successful transaction already in progress, where allowed. The General Legal Council of Jamaica, the body responsible for discipline and rules governing lawyers cannot recommend lawyers. The crux of hiring a lawyer is often times based on the lawyer, experience, nature of case, nature of issues and complexities, the type and amount of work required. Initial consultation is, in many instances, free. Within Jamaica's free market, both parties must get together to decide on a rate to be paid or fees to be charged outside of statutory required fees.

This, as lawyers are free to charge whatever fees, they believe, their services are worth. Some lawyers charge a total fee from the get-go, while others charge an initial retainer, plus additions over time for extra elements such as court appearances. (NB: In Jamaica, cases can drag through the courts for two to three years, or up to 20 years in extreme circumstances.) Still, there are lawyers, who charge an hourly fee after the initial retainer. In the case of commercial transactions such as land matters, fees are calculated as a percentage of the value of the property involved. Critically, clients should, at all times, have a clear idea on the basis of the fee structure and, hence, the fee to be charged to avoid misunderstandings and budgetary problems. Further, clients should, at all times, be mindful of available legal aid (called pro bono in the US) as supplemented by the government.

Through a partnership between government and attorneys, legal aid is made available, as private attorneys agree to accept significantly reduced fees from persons, who have financial problems. In the case of criminal matters, with a few exceptions such as drug cases, legal aid is made available. Three legal aid clinics exist in Jamaica, namely Kingston Legal Aid Clinic, Legal Aid Clinic, Norman Manley Law School, Mona, St Andrew, and the Montego Bay Legal Aid Clinic Ltd in St James. The cost may begin at JA$20,000 (1US$=apprx JA$89). Lawyers also volunteer, on call, as duty counsel at police stations, where they give advice or represent persons detained or arrested.

Tips to bear in mind: When choosing a lawyer, research level of experience and expertise. Choosing between barrister and solicitor is no longer an issue as Jamaican lawyers are now able to operate as both. Lawyers who may not have adequate time to devote to your case, as a result of heavy workload, should inform you. Information on statutory duties and costs can be obtained from public agencies and offices such as the Registrar of Titles. Finally, never assume that a 'friendly' lawyer has your best interest at heart. Make sure that even these 'friendly' lawyers speak directly, especially in telling you when to make contact, in the event you are not contacted first.

If you are an immigrant, you would know how hard and tiresome it is to locate reliable immigration lawyers and schedule consultation sessions with them to get your case solved. These lawyers review and help solve the issues of their clients. Sometimes, these cases are heard and decided in the court.

Immigration lawyers use all their practical knowledge in fighting their clients' cases with vigor and enthusiasm. Problems regarding immigration, like local laws, involved in the processes are the main reason people turn to immigration lawyers for help. These lawyers are connected with various branches of immigration law, which include family immigration deportation, employment visas and green cards. Lawyers specialize in different branches, which is why it is best to consult a lawyer who holds expertise in cases like yours.

Lawyers can be approached through local bar associations. These bar associations provide services to the public by being efficient and reliable sources to locate lawyers. Contact information about lawyers can be obtained simply by calling up the bar association. The client calls the bar association and gives brief details to the operators who, after listening to the details of a case, refer the client to the most appropriate lawyers. These operators are allowed to give the contact information of lawyers.

A secondary yet fast and reliable source of gathering information about various lawyers and their specializations is the internet. Information about immigration laws and different practicing lawyers, their qualifications and skills can be obtained from various websites. Internet can also prove to be a very valuable source, as it can filter your search according to your location, preference of gender and ethnicity.

The next phase of the process, regardless of the source of contact information, is to call and get an appointment for a one-on-one meeting. Before leaving for the session, it is advised to keep in view the tips mentioned below, so as to make the session worth the time and money.

Firstly, all legal documents that may be required by the immigration lawyers must be collected. For instance, lawyers may ask for documents like visa application, passport or green card. Before the meeting, the client should have all these documents stacked in a file. Preparation and planning can help in making sure that your meeting with the attorney will not be a waste of time.

The final phase of the process is to arrive at the designated area on time. The customer should have all the documents with him on his first advisory meeting, since the immigration lawyer will deeply study these documents. When he has thoroughly read the documents, the client will have to describe his case with as much detail as possible, answering any questions the lawyer might have. The question and answers session is two-way communication and the client is given full opportunity to clear and doubts queries regarding the case, laws, possible solutions, etc.

There are a lot of vehicles on the road today. Usually you will see a lot of youngsters driving cars on the road. Due to this new traffic rules are being introduced regularly. One such rule is that people are not supposed to drink and drive. Because of this you will see cops on the roads holding breathalyzers to see if there is anyone actually drunk while driving. Those who get caught violating this traffic rule are usually thrown into jail. Their licenses also get suspended and they are not allowed to drive legally on the roads till they redeem their licenses. This is when the DWI lawyer comes in. a DWI lawyer will definitely not judge you and he or she will help you out if your case is viable. It is their duty to help you. If you just drink a toast at a party then you haven't committed a crime. A DWI lawyer will help you out and you will be able to drive legally again.

He or she will listen to your entire case and will help you in the best way possible. All you have to do is find the right one. Cops can sometimes be really nasty and handling them yourself will only make you more angry and frustrated. A lawyer will help you in your time of need and you will not have to put in many efforts after you find one. So the only thing that you actually have to do is find the right one. If you have no clue where to look for one then, the easiest thing to do is look for one on the internet. Here you will find many in your area and all you have to do is choose one.

Usually these lawyers create profiles online so that prospective clients can hire them easily. You will get all the required information on the internet. You need to make sure that the one you hire is a reliable and reputable one. Only then will you be able to win our case. If you are an avid drinker then you should get all the required information way in advance. This will help you in your time of need. And once you have hired a lawyer you need to ensure that the fees being charged are reasonable and affordable.

Louisiana courts, and in particular the family courts that a divorce lawyer often practices in, typically use the Louisiana Civil Code article 134 in making child custody decisions. Article 134 has twelve sections, or "factors" that a court can and perhaps should consider when awarding child custody in a particular case. One of these factors is section (7), which tasks the court with evaluating "the mental and physical health of each parent."

To some people it might seem pretty obvious that there can be situations wherein one parent is simply unable to care for the child because of a serious physical ailment. For example, let us say that six months before the custody battle between two parents takes place, one parent is involved in a very bad car accident. The accident resulted in the parent losing all mobility and motor function in their limbs. A divorce lawyer would still of course represent that parent's right to see their child, but they would also likely consider heavily the fact that that parent may not be equipped to be the custodial parent. This possibility becomes even more great if the child at issue is of a particularly young age; one that would require a parent to have at least some degree of physical mobility to adequately care for the child.

That said, a parent who is confined to wheelchair will not necessarily lose a custody dispute for their child. A divorce lawyer will take into account the disability, but there are thousands of handicapped people who are more than capable of providing adequate support for their child.

The health of the parent can also be an issue in a custody dispute from a mental standpoint. Sometimes, this can be an even more foggy area of inquiry for a court. Take for example a parent who has been diagnosed with clinical depression. Does this mean it is impossible for them to become the custodial parent? A divorce lawyer will consider all relevant facts; and depression in and of itself may not bar the possibility of being the custodial parent so long as that parent can put up other evidence showing their mental fitness.

There are other mental health issues which may defeat a parent's desire to be the custodial parent however. Take for example an older parent, who is suffering from the middle stages of Alzheimer's disease. Let's say that they routinely forget simple tasks and responsibilities, and their doing so highly calls into question their ability to care for a child. In this case, a court may consider the mental illness determinative in awarding custody.

It is importantly to be completely candid and truthful when appearing before any Louisiana family court. If a parent does have a mental or physical affliction, they should be up front about it. While it does not always preclude the possibility of them being awarded custody, they should be sure to develop and bring forth other evidence to present to the court showing that indeed they are nonetheless fit to parent their child in a responsible way.

This article is written with the sole intention of providing information. It is not legal advice. Will Beaumont is a divorce lawyer in New Orleans, LA.

In order to find a good personal injury lawyer, you can take the referral from an attorney you trust, from your friends or from a health professional.

Among other sources are the referral services and the membership organizations. You can also go through the yellow pages and the information provided on-line.

Referral Services and State Bar Organizations

The state bar organizations are there to offer referral services in order to help people find attorneys who can deal with their respective cases. The disadvantage of this service is that any member of the organization is entitled to list with its referral service and thus, you can never be sure just from the referral that the lawyer refereed to you is truly a qualified one!

Besides, there are many other specialty organizations that online directories which can help you find a lawyer qualified to deal with your case. The 'Association of Trial Lawyers of America' (ATLA) is one such organization. The advantage is that a number of lawyers having significant experience in the field of personal injury laws are members of ATLA.

However, before hiring any lawyer who is a member of such legal organizations, it is advisable to gather genuine information about him or her. This is because membership fee is all it takes to become a member of such organizations.

Internet Lawyer Directories

You will find a number of commercial on-line directories that claim to screen and list only highly qualified attorneys. However, do not get carried away by the attractive offers and promises made in these directories. This is because most of these are not genuine.

These on-line directories are highly commercialized and so, have a tendency to list any personal injury lawyer who manages to pay the required fee!

You will also come across a number of websites on the Internet that claims to be informational but actually are either not genuine or are owned by the law firms. Therefore, be wary of "injury information" websites that do not make obvious the identity of its sponsor.

Once a lawyer has obtained all the facts from the and they know what kind is expecting you can usually expect that there will be some form of advice. Sometimes a device may be the need to obtain more information or research further before answering some of the legal problems. A lawyer will usually give an analysis of the client's problem and an appropriate conclusion, for example with the contact details. There will usually be legal in the legal aspects to the advice of the problem and it is always good to keep in mind that the more information lawyer has about a problem the more likely that their advice to you is going to be accurate. In need to find a lawyer who has sufficient knowledge of the area of law concerned to make a good determination for you with appropriate advice. Always also try to get options from the lawyer both legal and nonlegal and an action plan defining both you and your clients role and what you are expecting a client to.

Some of the obvious points also include costs and fees which are usually a big part of expectations of person as well is the recording of interviews and the confirmation of legal advice in written form. One of the issues that can come up when being interviewed by lawyer other problems that may arise in interviewing across non-English speaking backgrounds. Interviewing through an interpreter can have its own range of unique problems that need to be addressed in order to effectively communicate between lawyer and client. There are a range of different interpreters who are either professional, in-house interpreters, family interpreters or government services. Each different role may be able to offer different skills and abilities in a given situation. However, if you need an interpreter in a client interview with a lawyer is essential to ask for one.

Unfortunately at some point in your life you or someone you love may be involved in an accident causing injury. During this time you may be in need of a Personal Injury Lawyer to help you launch a personal injury claim.

There are many injuries that you are legally allowed to receive compensation for and navigating the insurance companies and legal system requires good professional help.

Hiring a knowledgeable attorney is the most important step in this process. Choosing between a mediocre Personal Injury Lawyer and a great Personal Injury Lawyer could mean choosing between a small settlement (or no settlement) and a large payout. It is very important to be thorough in your search (even when time is of the essence).

How do you find a great Personal Injury Lawyer?

1. Start looking for an attorney right away. Don't wait until your injuries are healed before taking legal action. If you are immobilized or too sick after your accident, have a family member or close friend do the work for you. For many personal injury cases there are specific time limits in which to file a claim and if you wait too long even a legitimate case can be quashed by the statute of limitation law. It also helps the lawyer to be able to build a case right from the beginning.
2. Look for an attorney that specializes in the area of your injury.
   • Did a dog bite/maul you?
   • Were you in a car accident?
   • Did you slip and fall?
   • Is it a medical case?
   • Was it a drunk driving accident?
   There are many different areas of case law and injuries to deal with. You want the Personal Injury Lawyer who is the most knowledgeable in regards to your injury type.
3. Once you have the names of lawyers who specialize in your particular injury make sure to visit each one's website. Research their biographical information. Find out how many cases they have won and what the settlements were in those cases.
4. Look for lawyers in your local area. They will have a better understanding of the law as it applies in your State or Province. If the accident occurred away from home then a local lawyer will be able to help you file your compensation claim correctly and you hire and attorney from there.
5. Sit down face-to-face with all of your prospective Personal Injury Lawyers. This person will be representing you in court and sometimes in meetings with insurance companies. You need to feel confident in their abilities and have a personal rapport for the case to be as successful as possible. Reputable attorneys will give you a free consultation appointment.
6. Find an attorney who will do the work on a contingency fee basis. This means they don't get paid unless you do. The legal fees will be taken out of your final settlement.
7. Hire a lawyer who is well respected by their peers. In Canada and the U.S. this means a good Martindale-Hubbell rating.
8. Avoid ambulance chasers. These lawyers are all about small claim volume rather than solid, time consuming casework.
9. Experience counts. Find out how many cases your potential attorney has handled.

• How many did they settle?
• How many went to court?
• How many did they win/lose?

Your Personal Injury Lawyer is your best advocate so make sure to find the right one.

What do Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and cheap lawyers have in common? A dumb question to be sure, as there is no Santa Claus, Easter Bunny or cheap lawyers; however if you have a legal problem and you need to get it fixed, there are some alternatives to consider before you give a lawyer a retainer.

Paralegals

When talking to a paralegal they cannot give you specific legal advise, but they can talk to you in general terms, and you might be surprised at some of the solutions they might suggest that you as a lay person might not even be aware are available, like talking to the Small Business Administration if you have problems with your business. SBA offices will often times have retired lawyers that they can refer you to get free advise. SBA offices usually have libraries with lots of reference tools that you can use.

Legal Forms Online

One resource that you might consider is Nolo.com which provides many legal forms that you can fill out yourself; many times if the item under consideration is straightforward this can be a simple and easy solution. They also provide articles, many are very topical such as using bankruptcy to avoid or forestall foreclosure of your home. They also have forms for simple wills and simple incorporations.

Mediators

Many times both parties would if possible like to avoid going to court and a mediator might be a solution that works for your circumstances. Divorces in particular using this strategy might save you thousands of dollars, which in this taxing emotional period not introducing or enlarging existing money problems can make a bad situation, a little more bearable.

There is always going to be a need for lawyers and figuring out when is always going to be tricky. Many lawyers will answer some questions for you for free to see if you do need there services, others might charge a small consultation fee. If you do need a lawyer, looking for a cheap one might actually cost you more money in the long run!

This is not legal advice and should not be acted on as legal advice. This is general information for you to consider. If you have legal question get legal help from a licensed attorney or paralegal.

Every company needs legal advice from time to time. Most managers are unsure about the management of the relationship with a business lawyer. Here are some hints from someone who spent over thirty years practicing law.

Lawyers generally get paid by the hour and respond to requests. They will initially respond as requested but may want to do more. This places a burden on the client to handle the relationship in a thoughtful and structured way.

There are certain issues on which you will need legal guidance. You may not know what all these issues are and you will have to receive objective advice on what needs a legal review. Nonetheless, you should control the relationship. The lawyer needs to identify to you the information you need to know to make your business decision according to your values and business acumen. Lawyers are paid to advise, but beware of the lawyer who gives business advice not legal advice. Lawyers advising you should not be telling you what decision to make, but informing you of the consequences that will occur depending on your decision. Therefore, it is misleading and unwise to ask a lawyer for specific legal advice and then ask for general business advice.

It is reasonable for you to expect that the lawyer is familiar with the area of law in which you have an inquiry and will not be charging you for research that is essentially basic information about the topic that an experienced lawyer should know.

You should have a written fee agreement with the lawyer. You should understand the fees and costs associated with what you are asking before the service is performed, and if there is a change the lawyer should give you notice of that change immediately. You should be billed promptly and accurately for services with no surprises. Any question about the billing should be met with courtesy and efficiency. Do not let something that bothers you go without some communication to the lawyer.

You should expect the lawyer to be accessible by responding to your communications quickly and by having time to discuss important matters with you. It will be less expensive for you if your lawyer is familiar with your business and the concerns it generates. Rejoice if a lawyer you are dealing with wants to know more about your business without charging you for that time.

There is nothing wrong with dealing with more than one lawyer, each with expertise in different areas. This will help you create a thoughtful structure for receiving legal advice and understand what you like and do not like about the various relationships.

It is incumbent upon you to effectively manage your relationships with legal advisors. If the lawyer is not responding to your reasonable instructions, use a different lawyer.

If you are in need of a family lawyer, then the options can get to you as there are so many choices available. If you are located in a big city, all the more it can be challenging to choose as there are so many lawyers that can be found on local phone books and online. However, choosing for the right lawyer for your family can be simplified and you can start with the following tips:

• Ask for referrals. If you are dealing with a sensitive matter, this could be quite challenging. Ask for friends or colleagues who may know of a reliable lawyer in your area that could help you handle the matter professionally. It would also be worth it if you would ask a number of lawyers to see who you are comfortable with. Find a lawyer that you would feel comfortable sharing sensitive yet pertinent details with that are related to the case.

• Consider law disparity. One thing that you should remember is that laws differ from one state to another. Therefore you should get a lawyer who is familiar, if not an expert, on the laws where you are located. It would even be better if you would get a lawyer within your area like if you are in San Pedro, CA, get a lawyer who practice therein. Getting one from another area may not give you accurate information or the right advice applicable in your area.

• Look for a lawyer with specialization. Family law is broad in scope. Find a family lawyer who has a specific specialization as you can be sure to his expertise and focus. Remember that there are family lawyers who specialize in divorce, child custody and others. Choose one that specializes on the case you have. It would also be better f you would go for a lawyer who has been practicing law for several years as you can bank on his experience.

• Ask for quotes. Money plays an essential role in anything, even in lawsuits. To determine how much you are going to pay for the legal services, ask right up front how much is the lawyer's professional fee and his other charges. It would also be better if you would ask for quotes from different legal service providers for price comparison. The pricing is affordable and reasonable. Legal services can be quite expensive. Know what you are getting into before you finally hire a lawyer.

With different laws governing almost everything that we do in our daily lives, it has become almost inevitable that each of us would need to hire the services of a lawyer or an attorney. From as simple scenario to a big and controversial one, hiring a lawyer to assist you is a must if it involves the law. Even in situations that does not require a lawsuit or a court trial, services that is provided by these aforementioned professionals are needed. Valuable legal information is important and no other professional can provide you with better information other than an attorney.

Benefits of Hiring Lawyers

The obvious benefit provided by hiring the services of a lawyer is that it brings convenience. The processing of legal documentations, the filing of lawsuits, and stuff which involves legality could be very tedious for a regular individual. If you have a personal lawyer, they will be the one who will carry out all these tasks for you making it very convenient on your part.

Another major benefit that you would get in hiring these professionals is that they will help you learn more about legal matters. As the saying goes "the ignorance of the law excuses no one", making it inexcusable for anyone to say that they are unaware of any existing law that can reprimand them of any illegal activity that they have done. Also, it is important to know your legal rights. A simple slip liability could not be addressed appropriately if an individual is not aware of his or her rights.

How to Find Good Lawyers

There are a lot of law firms situated in various places. Another option is to look for relevant information on the internet. With modern technology these days, it is not that hard to locate a lawyer who can help you. Look for an attorney blog, a classified ad, or any directory listing and you are sure to get at least some information that you need. If doing it does not work, you can try asking your friends or even your relatives. Recommendations are much better especially if it came from someone whom you are close with.

In finding good lawyers to assist you with your needs, you need to find someone who has years of experience under her or his sleeve. Experience could spell the difference between winning and losing a legal battle. Also, try to look for ones who specialise in a specific legal area. All attorneys are general practitioners but there are some who specialise in one field only such as a personal injury lawyer, a tax lawyer, among others.

Conclusion

A lawyer can help us out and so many ways and hiring their services would benefit us greatly. But in looking for one, we need to take our time for us to find one who is ideal for our needs. Having the right knowledge and resources would make things easier especially if we are facing legal matters. It would really be difficult to handle legal issues without the help of a professional.

Current society is perhaps most familiar with the arts performed by criminal defense lawyers, divorce lawyers and personal injuries lawyers. Most people do not realize that there is an attorney to ask for assistance when problems arise with a regional tax collection agency. Tax lawyers are attorneys who have decided to specialize in their field and have taken years to study the federal legislation on income tax and develop a thorough understanding of the laws and how they are applied.

Getting Yourself A Good Tax Lawyer
Finding a good tax lawyer can be quite challenging, however. Since attorneys who specialize in tax matters are not of high demand, like criminal defense or personal injury lawyers, it requires a bit more research to find an experienced tax lawyer. A good tax attorney normally has been practicing this area of law for many years and has a high rate of success in his cases.

Do Your Research
Word of mouth is usually the best form of advertisement. Nine times out of ten, the attorney recommended by a friend for a job well done is a much more skilled attorney than the one with bus panel advertisements. Taking care to remember the names of tax lawyers who have been mentioned to you in the past may prove helpful in the hunt for an attorney.

Research Reviews Online
Online reviews and testimonials can be extremely helpful in the hunt for a tax attorney as well. Personal experiences count for the most when researching any service, so it is important to read a wide variety of reviews from a wide variety of users and websites. Testimonials explain in more detail exactly where the attorney's strengths lay, but it is important to be careful - testimonials can also be tricky advertising tools.

Qualities of A Good Tax Attorney
A good tax attorney is confident in his work and knowledge of the law. Many attorneys offer free or reduced rates if the case is not found in the favour of the client, but this is not as common in the world of tax law. Attorneys who are confident in their knowledge and skills will not hesitate to say so and show a potential client why.

Part of the duties of a tax lawyer is to delve into his client's extremely personal financial information. It is important to find someone that can be trusted and makes his clients feel comfortable. One of the most important steps in finding a good tax attorney is the initial consultation, a step that is offered by most attorneys for free or very low prices. It is an opportunity to get to know the person who will be so intimately involved over the coming weeks and months, and it is important to ensure this person is comfortable to be around and confident in his abilities.

SUV (Sport Utility Vehicles) sales have sky-rocketed in the United States over the past few years. In 2004, SUV's accounted for 25 percent of all new-vehicle sales with over 22 million on the road. Because SUV's are larger, and heavier than other cars, buyers often times overlook the safety issues concerning them. Unfortunately, SUV's have the leading cause of rollover death on our highways. New statistics show that more than 12,000 people died last year in rollover accidents with SUV's accounting for 62 percent.

In the US, SUV sales are rising and so are the problems that come along with them. Because SUV's have a higher center of gravity, they are the most unstable and rollover-prone vehicles on the road today. Many SUV's are designed to be driven off-road, however very few are equipped with proper equipment such as roll bars. In addition, only a few meet the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration roof safety standards.

If you or someone that you know has been the victim of an SUV rollover you should seek help immediately. An experienced accident lawyer can help you understand the complex legal system to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Don't let legal time constraints impede or terminate your case before it happens. Contact a lawyer immediately!

With the explosion of the internet, finding the lawyer that you need for your case just seem to be the next natural thing to do since the internet is the leading source of information. Not only that, the Internet also provides the necessary information that you need about the lawyers to engage the right person to take on the case. By doing a search in the search engine, you will get listing of lawyers in which you can narrow down your searches to those in your area.

As the legal system is a complex system, it is better to find a lawyer to represent you even though you can be spending a lot of money to seek legal advice from a lawyer. In fact, it may actually turn up to be a good investment that can save you a lot of time, money and effort.

As every lawyer specializes in different field of the law, it is very important to find the right one who has the expertise and experience to efficiently represent a client in regards to the legal problem. This is especially important when you need good legal advice to protect your financial interests, comply with government rules and regulation for your business or keeping your properties from fraudulent individuals.

Thus, if you really need legal advice from a lawyer, you should approach the lawyer early as they would need time to prepare and analyze your case. You will find that things will be much clearer to you after talking to the lawyer and you will have a better perspective of the situation. You would also have a better idea of the decision that you may undertook and the kind of consequences that came along if you took that course of action.

When engaging a lawyer, do also consider the various factors that determine your lawyer's fee as you wouldn't want to have a leave a 'dent' in your bank account. Some of the common factors that affect lawyer's fees would include advice, outcome, overhead, experience, time and effort, difficulty of case, prominence of lawyer, geographical location.

Communicate with the lawyer and agree upon the type of payment that suits your paying capabilities before you commence with any legal proceedings. By doing so, will ensure that you will have a smooth relationship with your lawyer towards the success of your case.

Many a times, it so happens that we really are in need of something, the longer it takes. This is so true when it comes to getting the real legal advice. So then, how does one get the right advice?

There are a number of legal firms which have 24 x 7 service. Depending on the severity of the case, the fees may vary. There are legal advice experts appointed by law firms who also offer free advice.

With the advancements in the field of technology, identifying attorneys who will provide you advice is not very difficult. You will come across many websites who advertise their list of legal advisors and you may want to select from amongst them. the laws may vary depending on the country or the State and hence it is important to state the right pin code when you are seeking legal advice.

Many law firms put up their advertisements in business directories. Some sophisticated legal advisory firms which have a hotline facility or a toll free number also provide free legal advice and also the next course of legal action. Based on this advice, you can proceed accordingly.

Another very good way of seeking the right legal advice is to check with friends and relatives. If any of your associates or known people have sought such a help and have found it satisfactory, then you can rest assured of the credibility of the legal firm.

Internet is undoubtedly the best way to identify the right legal firms who will provide you legal advice. With the click of the mouse button, you will get access to a plethora of law firms. You will have to fill in the questionnaire or the online form and provide all the details and submit the same. These are not for free and based on the answers replied by you, they will advice what needs to be done next.

Some companies may not offer legal advice for free and you may have to enrol for their prepaid legal advice. Once the time limit is completed, you will have to again pay for taking the advice and seeking their services.

It is advised that you hire the services of an attorney or lawyer who is close to your place of residence or workplace, so that you do not end up spending time and money visiting their office. A good lawyer who is far away may not be of great help if he or she is not able to provide the information when required.

There are law firms who specialise in certain fields like accident claims, driving offences, divorce, financial disputes and so on. If you intend taking legal advice for trusts and wills, then you need to seek a law firm which deals in this niche. You will be greatly benefited if you seek the right advice from the right people. Hence, selection of the right law firm is very important.

The lawyers will help you with the entire documentation. Just make sure you provide the complete details so that they are able to present your case perfectly.

Medical and Insurance malpractice often catch a lot of attention in public discussion. But, the truth is that any professional field can have cases of malpractice. Malpractice, which may include negligence and breaching contracts, can plague the legal field as well as the medical field. Legal malpractice can be very costly for a client who has been misguided. It is important for every professional to be accountable for their actions, especially when they impact the lives and businesses of other people.

Legal malpractice cases often involve situations in which a lawyer acts negligently. Negligence means acting in a way that does not meet the normal practices of most other lawyers. This can be quite costly for a business owner who has employed an attorney to help them make effective business decisions. If an attorney fails to extend legal advice that is within the normal and reasonable scope of the law, an attorney may be held responsible for negligence.

When a business or private person hires a lawyer, they do so because they need professional legal advice that they cannot be expected to know on their own. An attorney may be held liable if they fail to include that information in their professional discussion. These types of cases help to ensure that lawyers do meet the moral and professional standards that are so important to their profession.

Also, if a lawyer breaches a contract that has been established between themselves and a client, they should be held responsible for these actions. Lawyers should be most aware of the importance and necessity of contracts. If a contract is violated, a person may be significantly damaged by the failure of an attorney to follow through with their responsibilities.

Background Checks. Although the word may seem scary, this is not something to be feared. In fact, it's a normal part of life, and at some point everybody will have a background check done on them. There are a multitude of reasons why a background check could be done reasons varying from a new job, before moving into a new apartment or condominium and more. And although you have no control what appears on the background check report (your history is your past, and there's very little you can do to change the past), you do have the right to protect your privacy by knowing what is legal and what is not legal information on a background check report.

A background check usually contains a lot of different information. Most of the information is compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) but sometimes you may find information that seems either out of place or unnecessary. There are people that legally can have all the information, for example, any jobs involving the government, FBI or police. In those cases, the government is allowed to know all information because it is in regards to national safety. In all other cases where the government is not involved, access to that information is denied. An important step to ensuring your privacy is by asking what information is requested on the background check. If the employer or renter (or whomever) gives an unclear answer or disregards the question all together, have them write down exactly what information they are looking for. That way, if something on the background check shows up that was not originally communicated; you are able to take the appropriate steps to clear things up.

Every company has different policies on what information they need. The general standard check can include any or all of the following; felony and misdemeanor arrest and conviction charges, education and professional license verifications, employment checks, social security verifications, sexual offender checks, motor vehicle reports, federal criminal checks, reference checks, civil litigation, OIG database, federal bankruptcy and many others. There is also an industry standard to how long this information can be used for hire. The FCRA also states that a company can go back seven years for hire. Any older information is declared illegal and must be discarded.

If by some off chance you do end up finding information there are steps you can take. The best step is to have a conversation with the other party, and for the most part, any problem that you may have can be solved easily. Furthermore, if the problem still hasn't been solved, try consulting a lawyer. If the information provided is old and past the seven year scope, there is legal action that can be taken.

When a company or person requires a background check it is important to know your rights regarding your privacy. If you suspect that there is illegal information on your background check report, there actions you can take so that you are protected.

Mesothelioma is mainly caused by exposure to asbestos during the production or use of asbestos products. It is widely believed that, for sixty years, the companies that dealt with asbestos related products knew about its hazards to health. The dangers of asbestos exposure were kept a secret by the companies for obvious reasons. This holding back of information on the connection between asbestos and mesothelioma has made those companies legally responsible for damages caused by their asbestos products.

Workers who subsequently contract this often fatal disease have the right to file lawsuits for damages. Mesothelioma claims settlements are huge, ranging from $200,000 to millions of dollars. Of course, that depends on the details of the case. Funds are usually set aside to repay the workers and their families.

In the United States, for instance, the median mesothelioma-related settlement is a million dollars. It is reported that cases that went into trial produced an average settlement of $6 million. Yet, it is important to remember that only a small portion of the thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits in the country are linked to mesothelioma.

Finding a decent lawyer to take care of these claims is vital. Since the settlements involve huge sums of money, attorneys are on the lookout for mesothelioma patients. Thus, claimants must take a cautious approach in finding an experienced lawyer to handle their claims.

Some law firms get hold of a mesothelioma victim, and transfer the information to lawyers experienced in handing such cases. Upon doing this, they get a decent referral fee from any successful claim. It is imperative for any lawyer selected to handle a mesothelioma case to have prior experience with litigation involving medical issues.

It is prudent to ask certain questions of attorneys who have been picked to handle the claim. The queries may include his experience in handling mesothelioma claims, the number of claims he has settled and the number that have gone into trial.

Mesothelioma claims can be a drawn-out affair, and law firms should have the necessary wherewithal to take care of them.

Different Types Of Attorneys

Business Lawyers

This might seem self-explanatory, but yes, one type of lawyer is a business lawyer. These attorneys generally work for companies whether small or large, sole-proprietorship or corporation. However, there are two different types of business lawyers that you can choose from. While some may offer both types of services, it is imperative to know who you're hiring beforehand.

Business Litigators

These lawyers are the ones you hire if you find yourself in a tight spot. For instance, if you are
being sued, a business litigator is the attorney for you. You won't need this type of lawyer all of the
time (hopefully!) but they are certainly worth their fee when you do need them.

Transactional Lawyers

If all you want is someone who can draft a contract and keep your corporation afloat, a transactional
lawyer is the right lawyer for you. They take care of things that are normally considered "business" related and keep your documents and records in order. Plus, if you are looking to incorporate, these are the guys for you.

Go For a Firm

Oftentimes, law firms offer both business litigation and transactional law out of the same offices. By
going with a firm, you have all of your business needs taken care of and on file whenever you need them.

Environmental Lawyers

Perhaps your company deals with technological products that can potentially produce a lot of waste. As your business grows, you may find environmental activists coming after you to shape up your waste problem. An environmental lawyer can help you and your company to be nice to nature before people start noticing your less than environmentally friendly ways. By implementing recycling programs and waste management programs, your environmental lawyer will help your business save face and potentially a lot of money in damages claims.

Intellectual Property Lawyers

Whenever you have to get a trademark, copyright or patent, an intellectual property lawyer is the one to call. These legal processes all deal with ownership and the subsequent rights involved with ownership. Intellectual property has become a whole lot more complicated in recent years due to the rise of the internet and digital information. Don't rely on your own limited knowledge. Hire an intellectual property lawyer to sidestep potential landmines.

Labor and Employment Lawyers

Getting sued because of discrimination is no fun. That's why an employment attorney is a viable asset to your business should you have employees. They will consult you on how to ensure all of your documents are legal and not offensive. They will also tell you how you must treat your employees and how to set up things such as pension plans, retirement funds and discrimination awareness meetings. A labor lawyer is a bit different, but they are useful too if you have a large company. They do things like set up unions and act as the middleman during bargaining between the employer and the employee.

Now, you may never need all of these types of lawyers. In fact, you most assuredly will not. However, it's always a good idea to know what it is you have to choose from before you find yourself in a sticky
situation.

Thanks to movie dramatization we all have a general knowledge of what rabid dogs look like. The glassy eyes, the foaming mouth, the uncontrollable aggression...

Despite the widespread knowledge of the existence of rabies, most people don't know the full details and are often left wondering how to handle rabies (and if it is even present at all).

This article looks to explore how rabies dog bites occur, what treatment can be done, and what legal liabilities are at stake.

Please understand this article is not a substitute for medical treatment and assumes no responsibility for the proper care and diagnosis of the illness.

Where Do Dogs Get Rabies?

Most cases of rabies in dogs come from bites from wild animals. The most common animals to carry rabies are skunks, raccoons, bats, and foxes.

What Are the Symptoms of Rabies in Dogs?

Rabies generally go through three stages in dogs. The first is called the predomal stage and generally lasts 2-3 days. Symptoms during this phase often include fever, chewing at bite site, and behavioral changes.

The next phase is called the furious stage and lasts 2-4 days. The furious stage is the one most people are familiar with, and is associated with aggressive behavior, barking, disorientation, and attacks.

The final phase is called the paralytics stage and can last 2-4 days. In this stage the animal suffers from the oft-mentioned mouth foaming, paralysis of limbs, and dropped jaw. This is followed by coma and death.

How Likely Is It That A Dog Has Rabies?

Sometimes people get confused that an aggressive dog automatically has rabies. This is not the case. As you'll notice in the cycle mentioned above, rabies penetrates a dog quickly and mainly occurs when the dog has been bitten by a rabid wild animal. These circumstances are less prevalent than people are led to believe.

Nevertheless, if you've been bitten by a dog, it is always wise to take as many precautions as possible.

Assessing the Bite for Rabies

The most important step for assessing a bite is getting in contact with the dogs owners. From there you can discuss when their last rabies shot occurred (if at all), and if the animal recently had any fights with wild animals or has been experiencing changes in behavior.

If the dog is a stray you will want to contact animal control asap and have them locate the dog.

Legal Rights of a Bite Victim

When bitten by a dog that may be rabid, medical treatment is your primary concern. However, once the animal has been properly diagnosed by a professional and your health is on track for recovery, you need to concern yourself with legal rights.

If you've been bitten by a dog, rabid or not, you may have the right to pursue for damages. The most important piece advice in this process is to get in contact with a skilled dog bite injury lawyer right away. Early in the process he/she will help you obtain the information you need from the offending party and avoid many of the common traps that insurance companies and dog owners will try to catch you in.

There are some obvious situations when you need to hire a lawyer, like when you're arrested or charged with a crime. However, lawyers can offer services in all kinds of situations. Although many people think that it is possible to resolve your legal issue without the help of an expensive lawyer, there are some major pitfalls with this approach. Having a lawyer can increase the efficiency of dealing with the problem and free you up to do the things that are more important to you.

Step 1: "What do I stand to lose or gain?"

When your money or freedom are on the line, you should not think twice before hiring a lawyer. A parking ticket is a legal issue, but paying the fine or even attending a local court hearing does not require the services of an attorney. However, if, for example, you have a large number of unpaid parking tickets and you are now at risk of arrest, you would want a lawyer who can act professionally to save you money or even defend your freedom.

It doesn't matter if there is a recession or a period of economic growth, individuals and businesses always seek legal services and rely on advice from lawyers in order to understand and protect their legal rights. Lawyers assist with activities as diverse as estate planning, business negotiations and navigating the ever growing of maze of regulation. Having consulted an experienced, competent attorney can also bring peace of mind with the knowledge that important undertakings to do with tax and estate planning, wills and trusts, business deals and all other legal matters have been dealt with in a professional and thorough manner.

Step 2: What do I need to think about before I hire a lawyer?

Keep mind the increasingly popular litigation alternatives such as mediation or arbitration, also known as alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Although these processes may also involve lawyers, they are recognised as offering alternatives which can much cheaper, faster, less complicated and stressful than traditional litigious legal process.

Step 3: When should I go to a lawyer?

In almost any legal matter, there will be deadlines within which you will need to act and there will almost always need to be time for a lawyer to consult with you, collect information and evidence or important documents, correspond with other parties involved in the matter which needs to be resolved and the courts or administrative bodies dealing with the matter. For these reasons, it is imperative that you act fast. Some examples of the deadlines involved may be that, if you've been injured in an accident, there are time limits on your right to file a lawsuit. These are called "statutes of limitation" and are different in different states. As a general rule, if you sit on your rights, you could lose them. So it is better to act fast.

Step 4: What do I want out of this?

Obviously, if you are being sued or threatened with jail, your objectives will be clear. However, if you feel you were wrongfully terminated from a job, you may want to be reinstated or you may want a payout or other form of compensation. In a family law situation you may want custody over children or a divorce or an AVO. If you clearly understand you objectives before you start, you are much more likely to achieve them. You will also need to know whether your chance of achieving your objective is high or low. Although it is sometimes difficult to see the immediate value of this, the process of case evaluation which a lawyer can undertake with you is one of the most valuable because it can save you from entering litigation without merit or from foregoing legal action which could have yielded you significant benefits from the realisation of your rights.

Step 5: Do I need a specialist - What type?

Many lawyers have a specialty are, some are also generalists. You need to choose one that will represent you effectively at all levels.

Nobody ever wants to be accused of a crime, but this is a major problem which can affect pretty much anyone. Quite often people who are accused of a crime are desperate for some help but don't know who they can talk to. It's important that you get yourself a criminal defense attorney; many people assume that they are all the same. However there are actually many benefits if you spend time choosing the right one.

There are lots of great reasons why it's important to find the right representation. First your lawyer will have to decide how to defend you. If there is no alternative then it might be best to make a deal with your prosecutor. If you feel you are innocent then you might want to fight it out in court. You will only be able to decide what you should do if you get quality legal representation so you can get an idea of your chances.

A good criminal defense lawyer can also make things happen much faster. Trials can find themselves getting delayed for all sorts of different reasons. This can create no end of problems including higher fees, lost earnings and inconvenience. If you can choose the right lawyer then you will be able to speed up legal proceedings.

Legal representation can help your case and give you the information that you need. As with everything in life you have a much better chance of succeeding if you have more knowledge about the subject - in this case, the law. The law is very complicated and understanding it can be a challenge, that's why hiring professional legal representation is so important. criminal defense attorneys gain experience for the longer they work, and this means that they are less likely to make silly mistakes like some people. Professional representation will steer your case in the right direction and prevent any mistakes which could damage your case.

You must ensure that you choose a criminal defense attorney which will be able to assist with your legal proceedings and help you to understand them when the need arises. You should choose a lawyer which will have plenty of time to keep you informed, you can't just choose an attorney which accepts every single case.

Choosing a lawyer which offers their clients a brilliant service which puts your needs first then you will be able to get all of the help that you need. Whenever you have questions which refer to your case you will then be able to get the advice. They will have plenty of time to discuss every detail with you. Not knowing what will actually happen to you is one of the worst things which can happen; the right legal representation will get rid of some of this anxiety because they can keep you fully informed.

criminal defense lawyers understand all of your options and will be explain them in a way that you understand. They will also speed up the entire process so that you don't have as much time to wait. It's important to spend time carefully choosing the right lawyer for your needs and ensuring that you choose one which will help with your understanding of your case.

What do you do if you find yourself, suddenly, in a legal bind? Who do you turn to if you do not have the slightest idea of your rights as a citizen and you do not have your own lawyer? Believe it or not, lots of folks have been caught in this kind of a jam. But lucky for them, more often than not, the solutions are no more than a click away.

A resourceful legal website is certainly beneficial to anyone who needs quick and accurate information about a law suit or anyone who wants to learn more about legal matters. Since people are accustomed to logging on to their computers for all sorts of reasons--to read breaking headlines, check the weather forecast, download recipes, and book airline tickets etc.--it is logical to think that they would turn to a computer when searching for answers to a range of legal concerns.

What is more, a website is an obvious way to promote your company and attract new clients. There are numerous elements that could appear on your site. A full-fledged site defines your company's mission, explains its background, introduces its employees, and lists contact information. But you can also include several different elements. Consider the following:

• a dictionary of legal terms
• a variety of legal forms
• a directory of lawyers (organized by specialty or geography)
• FAQs and an "Ask the Expert" column
• links to articles covering timely lawful issues
• legal case histories

No matter what your company specializes in, a website can be tailored to cover your areas of expertise. It is also possible to make it as interactive as you desire. Perhaps you want to link to lively message boards and current blogs, or offer the opportunity to have live chats with lawyers. Whatever elements you include, the ultimate purpose of a functional, practical site is to provide information in a way that is as accessible and helpful as possible.

Let's face it, the ordinary citizen is pretty clueless when it comes to determining lawful behavior, be it at home, at the office, at work, or at play. While we all have an idea of what is legitimate and permissible, most of us don't grasp the exceptions to the rule or understand the fine print.

Of course, it is impossible to cover every aspect of the law on one website and it is impossible to list all the fields of interest here. But a carefully constructed legal website can, indeed, be a source of comfort and a fount of information for the general public. Here are a few examples of the subjects you might choose to address on your website (either in depth or in a general manner):

• Bankruptcy laws
• Accident insurance
• Copyright law
• Entertainment law
• Investment law
• Criminal law and criminal procedures
• Discrimination laws
• Employment laws
• Family law

It is about time the field of law earned a positive reputation. Your company can blaze the trails by putting up an attractive, effective site that not only showcases your services, but also bestows valuable knowledge on those in need.

There are certain problematic occasions when you need an attorney and comprehensive legal assistance. It is essential to take legal decisions seriously otherwise it could lead to severe consequences and even jail also. Whether you need a bail bond agent or an immigration attorney for your favor in court that can defend you. Therefore, it is always good to seek them for instant help. You can also search them online through online legal directories. Most of the people find attorney as and when needed through the online search directories for utmost convenience. It is the simplest method to search and locate a lawyer in your region through these legal resources.

In fact, these legal resources are the pure repository of the complete profiles of the attorneys, their experience, office address and their area of expertise. These resources also provide vital set of legal information to the public in order to make them aware about the legal terminologies. These directories itself serves as a catalog and provides enough information regarding, immigration law, bankruptcy law, divorce law, real estate law, intellectual property law, business law, tax law and other legal documents and forms. Even you can expect emancipation forms, guardianship forms, marriage forms, power of attorney forms (including, but not limited to, power of attorney durable, power of attorney - health care, limited power of attorney, power of attorney - childcare, power of attorney - revocation, and all types legal forms), name change forms, citizenship forms, passport forms, passport application, visa forms, federal tax forms and much more from these online legal resources.

The primary advantage is that you can find the best attorney for your DWI or any other legal difficulty, through online resources. In fact, you can find the renowned bail bond agent and bail Bond Company easily with the help of these websites. You can locate them and personally visit them to discuss criminal record (if any), history of showing up for past court appearances, and any other concerns. You can discuss the complete process and initiate it consequently. Moreover, you can access a list of the County jail locations and access to the County Jail Lockup system for your convenience.

Finding an attorney is supposed to be the common way that people adopt these days. It is not only an easy and simple way, but also the fastest means of getting legal information & assistance. Online law firm information providers or directories also offer free legal forms, guide for lawyers, the latest news and information that can be accessed free of cost. Anybody can access these directories for their personal reasons; however one thing must be noted that these legal directories cannot provide any kind of advice, explanation, opinion, or recommendation to a consumer about possible legal rights, defenses, selection of forms or strategies. The very aim of these directories is to modernize legal technology and develop technologies that facilitate internet marketing for legal professionals.

If you're facing charges, it can be one of the most stressful things you will ever experience. But what you need right now is not a therapist but a good criminal lawyer. The system is in place to arrest, charge, and successfully prosecute people who have been caught in an investigation (or in the act). While there is plenty of lip service given to an individual's rights as the defendant, it is largely up to you to make sure those rights are protected. Without a good attorney by your side, this will be difficult to do. Here is the information you need to make a good choice.

Their Experience

There aren't many factors more important than experience when choosing a criminal lawyer. An attorney with the finest diploma from the most prestigious school can't hold a candle to another who has been plying his trade for the last fifteen years, day in and day out. If you have two attorneys with the same experience, there's nothing wrong with giving a slight edge to the one with the degree from Harvard. Even then, however, there are probably more important considerations that should go into your decision.

Availability

You can hire the best criminal lawyer in the country, but if they aren't there to answer your questions and take your calls, what good are they? You need someone who is willing to devote a significant amount of time to your case. If you get the impression that the attorney you're considering is too busy for your case, you may want to think about going elsewhere. People in the legal profession are going to be busy; unless their practice is failing, they aren't going to be at your beck and call 24/7. But that doesn't mean you should have to wait days for a call back. If you found it very difficult to get an initial consultation, that could be a sign that the firm is too busy for your case.

Reputation

A criminal lawyer lives and dies on his reputation. Find out as much as you can about that reputation before you make a decision about hiring one. Ask around. If you're currently locked up, you may want to ask some of the other inmates, if they are willing to talk. If you're out, try to see if there is anything online that can help guide you to a decision. You don't want to hire an attorney only to find out he is considered a joke in legal circles.

You've made the choice to jump right into video to market your legal services. The move is a good one. It will help you distinguish yourself from everyone else. Here now, never before released, is my definitive guide to video marketing for lawyers.

9 BENEFITS TO USING VIDEO:

1. Viewers get to see you
2. Viewers get to hear you
3. Viewers get to know you
4. Viewers begin to trust you before they ever walk in your door
5. You become the wise man at the top of the mountain
6. You are viewed as the legal expert
7. You are giving away information in order to gain an audience
8. Viewers see that you are a real human being
9. The image of a grumpy stuffy lawyer dissipates when a viewer sees you on video

CREATE AN EDUCATIONAL MESSAGE

What do I mean?

Do not use online video the same way lawyers have used TV commercials since 1973. A 30 second commercial on YouTube does nothing to help you get new clients in your door. The same is true for 60 second commercials too. Take advantage of the unlimited capacity for as much video as you can create. (There are some important caveats you need to know. More on that later.)

TIP #1: EXPLAIN

Explain the last case you successfully handled for a client. Tell your viewer why your client came into your office. Explain the legal issue in layman's terms; tell the viewer what you did to help your client solve their legal problem. Then, and here's the million dollar tip, explain to your viewer that if they have a similar problem, they should call you for more information.

TIP #2: GIVE IT AWAY FOR FREE

Give the information away. It's free anyway (for most consumer-level attorney specialties). If you are a personal injury attorney, or workers compensation attorney or divorce attorney, explain how things work. Your potential clients will get this information from you when they come into your office anyway. Why not give it away and allow your viewer to become a better informed and educated consumer of legal services? The internet is the ideal place to give away your information. The more you give, the more calls you should get. (There's a lot of psychology involved in that reasoning that I will not go into here.)

TIP #3: BE CONCISE

When creating video, do not expect a viewer to watch you ramble endlessly. You must make your video long enough but also short enough. (How's that for a double-sided lawyerly answer?) You want to be concise, but you do not want a short commercial. You want to explain, but you don't want your viewer to lose attention and go elsewhere. What's the ideal length for a relevant video? Approximately 2-3 minutes. Yes, there are always exceptions, just as in law. Some will be shorter; some will be longer.

TIP #4: NO WEBCAMS NEED APPLY

"Can I use my webcam or little flip video camera to make these educational videos?" You could. But then you'd be wasting your time wondering why not many people are watching your videos. Your webcam is great for a quick hello to a friend or relative. The video quality is generally poor, as is the audio quality. The new generation of flip video cameras are great little hi-def video tools that were unheard of five years ago. The major drawback is that they do not work well in low-light situations and none of them have the ability to use an external microphone, which is an absolute must when creating quality video to post online.

TIP #5: CHOICES

You have two options to create attorney video:

(1) Do it yourself, or (2) Hire an experienced video company to do it for you.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, like me, you need tons of time and dedication to creating strategy, lighting, audio, video, calibrating your equipment, shooting video of you- yourself, uploading the video footage to the computer, learning how to edit, insert transitions between scenes, correct color, add stereo sound, add graphics, add intro and exit music along with any background music, shoot b-roll footage to insert into video, render the video to a quicktime or flash file, then compress that file to make it compatible to upload online. Then, you have to upload the edited video to video sharing sites, put it on your blog and website, and there's more! You now have to optimize the text so that your videos will be found in the search engines. You must give the videos 'tags' and 'keywords' for the search engines. But there's still more to do! Then you have to let the world know about what you've just created.

How? Simple. Use all of your available social media to do that. "Ugh," you think. "All that, just for one video?" That's right...if you want to do it properly. You've got to Tweet about it. You've got to put your video on Facebook and MySpace. You've got to tell your friends, relatives and acquaintances about it. "Is that all?" No. There's more! (I feel like this is an infomercial where they say, "Wait...there's more! For only $12.95 you get...")

Then it's time to start your next video...and the cycle continues. If you do not have the time or desire to learn the technical details of creating, editing and uploading your video, I strongly recommend that you skip option #1 and to directly to option #2: Hire a reputable video company to create your videos for you.

What should you look for when deciding to hire a video production company?

1. A firm with experience producing attorney videos. Do not use a video company that just finished a wedding shoot that weekend. I would also hesitate using those video companies that create video depositions. Why? Because they usually do not have experience knowing what an online viewer looking for an attorney wants in an attorney video.

2. Ask whether the video producer is a lawyer. Why is that important? A practicing lawyer has a pretty good insight into what consumers need to see, or want to see in an attorney video. A lawyer brings a particular type of experience when creating attorney video; especially an attorney video producer who has created hundreds of educational videos for use in their own marketing of their legal services.