Finding a law firm that is reliable, experienced, and professional can be difficult. But there are a few ways to find one.
The first step is to assess your specific legal needs. Different law firms specialize in different practice areas, so it is important to choose the right one for your case.
1. Ask Around
When it comes to finding law firms, it’s a good idea to keep your ear to the ground. You can do this by reading online discussions pertaining to legal issues, or by keeping an eye on Facebook groups for people seeking advice and recommendations for attorneys. Keeping an ear to the ground will help you discover what matters most to potential clients, which can give you ideas for how to best position your law firm to meet those needs.
You can also learn a lot about the reputation of various law firms by reading industry publications like Above the Law and American Lawyer. You can also talk to people who have worked in the legal field or are currently working as lawyers and get their honest impressions of the different law firms they’ve been employed by. This can help you gauge whether or not the law firm is a fit for you, both on a professional and personal level.
Another way to find out more about the reputation of law firms is to look at their website. This can give you a sense of the overall quality of the law firm and its attorneys, as well as provide a snapshot of how they interact with clients. A good law firm will have a modern, responsive website that is easy to navigate and contains important information for prospective clients.
If a law firm has an outdated, unresponsive website or a site that doesn’t rank highly in search engine results, this can be a red flag for potential clients. In addition to having a responsive website, it’s also a good idea to include keywords in the site’s titles and meta-descriptions to improve its search engine optimization.
Lastly, be sure to list your law firm on online directories such as Avvo, Justia and FindLaw. This will boost its visibility outside of Google searches and potentially generate new leads. It’s also a good idea to include local references in the law firm’s URL to increase its visibility in your local market. However, be careful not to bribe or compensate anyone for posting reviews online, as this violates the American Bar Association’s Rule 7.2 on advertising legal services.
2. Look Online
Many legal consumers use the internet to find and research attorneys. They start with online searches like “lawyer near me,” “personal injury lawyer,” or “family law attorney.” Providing answers to these questions on your website can help you rank higher in Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) and bring in more business.
The average consumer visits up to six law firm websites before making a decision on which one to contact. They also read online attorney reviews, and they put a lot of stock into how well the firm responds to complaints and positive feedback. Using paid Google ads to promote your law firm is a great way to get highly-qualified leads that are specifically looking for your services.
Once a potential client has found a firm that appears to be a good fit, they typically schedule a face-to-face consultation appointment. It is important that the intake process goes smoothly to ensure a smooth transition to becoming a new client. This includes being efficient, respectful, and friendly with the people who answer phone calls or respond to online requests.
After the consultation, the potential client may be referred to another attorney at the firm or given a referral to another lawyer outside of the firm for more advice. This is why it is so crucial to have a strong referral network and a consistent marketing strategy in place. Referrals are the lifeblood of any law firm, and they can make or break a practice.
3. Look for Accreditation
As a law firm, one of your most important assets is your reputation. Whether it’s through word of mouth or online reviews, a strong client following can help you achieve the best results for your clients and grow your practice. In order to make sure potential clients find you, it’s essential that you ensure your law firm is listed on a number of lawyer directories and legal websites.
This includes attorney directories such as Chambers & Partners, which ranks lawyers and firms around the world, as well as legal website listings like Yelp, which allows clients to leave feedback on their experiences with specific attorneys. Make sure you look for any additional listings that are relevant to your practice area, such as specialty listings or local law associations.
While most law firms will say pretty much the same things on their graduate recruitment pages – that they are ‘leading firms’ and are ‘client focused’ – the way in which they do so can give you clues as to what they really mean by these things. For example, US-headquartered firm Weil’s UK recruitment page aims to attract “the sharpest students” by using pictures of serious-looking lawyers sitting in rooms decked out in austere colours and by asking them to ‘Expect the Exceptional’. This doesn’t mean the firm only does exceptional work, of course, but that it wants to work with the best students.
Other law firms, meanwhile, might use images of shipping containers and electricity pylons to hint at their internationalism or references to the fact that they are heavily involved with projects involving these issues to suggest that they are experts in these areas. A bit of broad Google searching can often yield useful clues about a firm – local press articles; links to charities and community groups; sponsorship of events; reports on dodgy deals (on rare occasions!) – all of which could come in handy when answering the dreaded question at interview of why you want to work for them.
While you can get an idea of the quality of a law firm’s work by reading their public content and speaking to people who have used their services, it is also worth looking for accreditation. This will not only ensure you are dealing with a legitimate law firm but may also help you to get the best value for your money.
4. Look for Reviews
When seeking a law firm, you will want to find one that has excellent reviews. This is a sign that clients are happy with their services and are willing to share their experiences online. Reviews can be found on a variety of websites, including Google Business Profiles and Yelp. A recent consumer study by BrightLocal revealed that over 60% of people use review sites when researching attorneys before hiring them.
While the number of reviews can help you narrow down your options, it’s important to look for more than just a few good reviews. You should also read the testimonials that a law firm has on their website, as these can give you an idea of how the firm’s services have helped others in similar situations.
You should also consider the scope of a firm’s practice. If you are in need of a corporate lawyer, for example, it’s a good idea to choose a firm that has extensive experience in this area of the law. This will ensure that the attorney you hire has the knowledge and expertise to assist you with your particular case.
Law firms have long been known for their international presence. For example, White & Case established offices in Paris in 1926, a year before Charles Lindbergh made the famous flight across the Atlantic. In today’s globalized economy, it’s more important than ever for firms to have a foothold in multiple markets. This is why many law firms, such as those providing solicitors in Gloucestershire, have expanded their reach internationally.
In addition to expanding internationally, many firms have also diversified their practice areas to meet the needs of their clients. For example, some law firms now focus on family-related issues as well as criminal defense and civil litigation. This means that they have the resources and expertise to handle a wider range of legal matters, making them an excellent choice for those looking for a more comprehensive law firm.
When selecting a law firm, be sure to research each one carefully. In addition to reading online reviews, it’s a good idea to ask for recommendations from friends and family members. If you can, try to meet with potential attorneys to see if they are a good fit for your situation.