Finding a lawyer for your labor-related issues can be daunting. However, if you have a critical job-related dispute, whether it involves discrimination or other issues, finding a labor lawyer to help you is crucial. This article will walk you through the best ways to find a great labor lawyer. Check it out!
What is a Labor Lawyer?
A labor lawyer or an employment lawyer deals with any cases related to employment. There are two types of labor lawyers: one that focuses on plaintiffs or employees, and one that focuses on defendants or employers.
Usually, a labor lawyer handles employment cases involving discrimination, wage and hour issues, safety issues, and other labor-related matters. If you’re an employee, the labor lawyer can help you learn about your rights. If such rights are violated, the lawyer can also help you decide on what action to take i.e. whether pursuing legal action is a viable option.
If you’re looking for labour lawyers in Ottawa, the following tips will be useful:
Get Recommendations
Ask friends, family members, and other lawyers for recommendations. Even in big cities, people often find recommendations from friends to be a useful way of searching for reliable lawyers.
Alternatively, you can start your research by doing an internet search. You’ll be redirected to lawyer review sites or lawyer referral websites. Check the reviews of their top lawyers and learn about their customers’ firsthand experiences.
Visit the Bar Association Website
Once you’ve picked out a lawyer or created a shortlist of lawyers, visit the Canadian Bar Association website to see if they’re listed there. If not, you can also use the website’s Find-a-Lawyer feature, which lets you search within location and area of law.
Through the website, you’ll see their credentials and history, contact information, bar number, and other relevant information to ensure they’re trustworthy. If they have their own business website, it will also appear on the list.
Check their Website
If the lawyer has their own website, take time to explore it. Read their bio and find out what cases they’ve handled before. It’s a bonus if your case is similar to the other cases they’ve won. Look at their bar associations, memberships, and speaking engagement. Overall, the goal is to understand what working with them is like even before you start the engagement.
If they have a live chat function or a quick email feature, then use that. Be wary of websites that give away little information about the lawyer. This may mean the lawyer is still inexperienced and/or untrustworthy.
Interview the Lawyer
If their website or work history impresses you, it’s time to set up an appointment. When conducting interviews, here are the most important questions you should ask:
About their Experience
These questions focus on the lawyer’s experience. Pay attention to any discrepancies between their answers and the prior information you’ve acquired about their cases (if any) during your research.
- How long have you been practicing?
- Have you handled cases similar to mine?
- Do you often take cases to trial?
About Your Case
These questions focus on the way they’ll handle your case.
- Will you work directly on my case? Are there other people involved?
- What will happen if my case doesn’t settle?
- How do I get updates about my case?
- How can I reach you conveniently?
- What communication method do you prefer?
Questions about your case may also include:
- What are the strengths of my case?
- What are its weaknesses?
- What approaches are viable to solve my problem? Which one is best?
About Fees and Costs
Fees and costs are always critical matters. Different lawyers have varying fee structures. Labor lawyers often charge contingency fees, which means they take a percentage of what you’ll get from your case. Other lawyers charge a flat fee or by the hour.
- What are your attorney’s fees?
- What costs are expected in my case?
- Can you give me an estimate of the costs through the trial?
Other Important Considerations
If you remain undecided about the lawyer even after the interview, other considerations may be the deciding factor for you. You can ask whether they have malpractice insurance, or learn about their litigation philosophy. You can also investigate whether they’re a member of any employment law-related organizations.
