It’s fair to assume that a lawyer bearing a website and cool-looking office is legit and legally qualified to practice. However, you might not know of the many cases of people posing as lawyers for years. These fraudulent parties have cheated their clients financially, played cases poorly, or made mistakes with paperwork.
So before agreeing to contract a lawyer for your legal issue, it’s only wise to perform some due diligence to verify all their supposed credentials. It doesn’t matter if your problem relates to a car accident or personal injury; you need to work with a legitimate lawyer.
The Importance of Checking a Lawyer’s Credentials
The path to becoming a lawyer isn’t easy. One has to attend and graduate from law school and pass the state bar. These steps ensure and prove that the professional completely understands the laws of the place they’re practicing in.
A fake lawyer would not have gone through this process. Therefore, the chances of them having the necessary expertise to fight your case would be extremely low. Mistakes would be unavoidable, causing you legal and financial losses.
Scammers exist everywhere. Those who knowingly make false claims as lawyers do the same in other aspects of their lives. They may end up defrauding you in different ways, so it pays to be wary.
When working with car accident attorneys in Las Vegas, for example, nothing is more important in the relationship than trust. If it turns out that you’ve been working with an illegitimate lawyer who has stolen from you financially, you’ll find yourself in another mess. Imagine having to enter into lawsuits and criminal proceedings just to protect your good name and money.
How to Verify a Lawyer’s Legitimacy
Thankfully, ensuring a lawyer’s fully capable of handling your case and is legit isn’t a major challenge. It may seem like an extra step you don’t really have time for, but it’s necessary and straightforward.
All US states, including Nevada, maintain registries listing lawyers who have passed the bar. Therefore, anyone on these lists can practice legally. Find out your lawyer’s name and state bar number. Input your information into the search engine for the state bar’s website.
The site will also provide details pertaining to the work address, contact information, education, and license validity. Check that the license has an active status and verify that all information matches. For example, if the site states that the lawyer joined the bar in the ’80s, yet they look like they’re in their 30s, that should raise some red flags.
Picking the Right Lawyer for Your Case
Aside from confirming legitimacy, choosing a lawyer involves understanding how one works and the experience held. An attorney might be familiar with identity theft cases but lack knowledge of vehicle accidents. Naturally, this lawyer would not suit you if you just had a fender bender.
Always keep in mind that you do not have to commit from the first meeting. Therefore, make an appointment for a free consultation and find out as much as you can before signing a contract. If you feel like you’d have a smooth working relationship, the lawyer may be the right one for you.
