Becoming a lawyer is rigorous, but recent statistics suggest there are 1.3 billion lawyers actively practicing in the United States. While all of those legal professionals passed the bar exam, how can you know for sure that each one is an honest, competent professional?

You wouldn’t go to a doctor without checking their credentials—why should hiring a lawyer be any different?

The truth is, working with a legal professional can get expensive, and even an incompetent lawyer will charge you for their time. Rather than spending money on a mistake, start the process by learning how to find a lawyer who knows what they’re doing. This is especially essential if your legal case is personal in nature, involving a loss, will, divorce, or custody situation.

We’ve created this guide to share our top eight tips for hiring an attorney you can trust. Read on to discover what to look for in a legal professional.

1. Do Your Research

The internet is an excellent tool to use during the process of hiring a lawyer. While you can use Google to find a local professional, don’t always assume the top result is the best. An attorney’s search engine ranking says more about their marketing strategy than their actual competence in the court, and you aren’t hiring a salesperson.

Instead, search for potential leads on legal review sites. You can also check Google reviews, plus any reviews on the lawyer’s social media pages. Take these claims with a grain of salt, as they’re often written during an emotional time, but note any trends or personal deal-breakers.

2. Ask For a Consultation

Working with a lawyer means forming a relationship of trust. Discerning a professional’s true character from a website or phone call can be challenging. You may be unable to determine if a lawyer is a good fit without meeting them in person.

Nearly all attorneys will consent to a free consultation (and if they don’t, it might be a red flag that saves you time). You can also learn about the practicality of working with a specific lawyer, such as the convenience of their office, access to parking, and ease of scheduling.

3. Request Recommendations

While you might not need to hire an attorney every day, the trusted people around you may have experience with local professionals. Query people in your network, such as close friends and family. If you have lawyers in your family or friend circle, ask them for their personal recommendations.

4. Know What Questions to Ask a Lawyer

Whether you plan to meet in person or talk on the phone, you’ll want to ask the right questions before hiring your lawyer. Consider asking about the following:

• Their legal specialization
• Their opinion on your case
• The value of your case
• If they will be handling your case
• How often they take cases to court
• The likelihood of settling out of court

While the answers to these questions are important, how they answer them is just as notable. Are they honest and forthcoming, or do you feel as though they’re giving you the run-around? Take notes, including any first impressions.

5. Check Their Experience Level

In the legal profession, experience is as critical as success rate. An experienced lawyer can ensure you don’t miss any paperwork, as they’ll have their routines and systems down to a science. It’s appropriate to ask about a lawyer’s experience and time in the field on the phone or during a consultation.

If you’re wondering what to look for in an experienced legal team, you can learn more here.

6. Consider Costs

In a perfect world, legal fees would be irrelevant when hiring the right professional. Unfortunately, they are a significant component of decision-making for many individuals. You need to find the best professional you can afford, which means asking about costs at the outset.

Most lawyers will offer you a written summary of their fees and costs, so you aren’t going into the process blind. Consider it a red flag if a lawyer doesn’t disclose their fee. Disclosure is part of an open, honest relationship, so subterfuge is an instant deal-breaker.

7. Know Your Billing Options

In addition to asking about costs, be sure to ask about a potential attorney’s billing options. In some cases, they may work using a contingency fee. In other words, you will owe them a percentage of your winnings if your case is successful.

Some simple legal services involve flat rates. Lawyers often charge flat rates for writing wills, reviewing a contract, or filing paperwork in a non-contested case, such as a divorce.

Your lawyer will often charge a retainer plus an hourly rate for their time and services. You’ll pay a fee upfront upon hiring them, then pay their hourly rate afterward. The retainer usually covers fees associated with filing.

8. Trust Your Gut

Ultimately, hiring a lawyer is consenting to a professional relationship. If something seems wrong, you can walk away and continue searching for the right attorney. When you’ve found the right lawyer, trust your gut and confidently move forward.

Hiring a Lawyer Made Easy

Not every doctor, therapist, manicurist, or contractor is the right fit—don’t assume that hiring a lawyer is any easier. Take your time to truly vet your potential attorney to ensure they can meet your needs with focus, compassion, and professionalism. Using the tips above, you can confidently secure professional legal services without a struggle.

Ignorance makes every task harder. The rest of the blog contains informative posts with the information you need to make bold, informed decisions. Check out our other fantastic posts to ensure you’re always in the know.

The cannabis issue is still a hot topic in the country and very much illegal under federal law, regardless of the legalization drive by individual states.

In Florida, cannabis remains illegal for adult or recreational use. Efforts to authorize the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes encountered strong opposition on the 2014 ballot failing to see the light.

It wasn’t until 2016 that a second attempt at legalizing cannabis for medical use succeeded. The Amendment 2 initiative passed on the ballot with over 71 votes, paving the way for a legal, medical marijuana program in the state.

If you’re wondering what the cannabis laws in Florida say, we’ll break it down for you in this guide:

Patient Qualification Guidelines

The medical cannabis program in Florida is administered by the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) as part of the state’s Department of Health. OMMU regulates the program and onboards patients via the state’s Medical Marijuana Registry.

For patients to be registered in the state’s medical marijuana program, they must go through a qualified physician who will evaluate the patient before issuing the certification.

Who is a Qualified Physician?

Physicians qualified to approve and certify patients for the medical marijuana program must be registered by the state. They must also take a course and examination conducted by the Osteopathic Medical Association and the Florida Medical Association.

The physician will review your medical history as part of a thorough examination and certify you if you have any condition that qualifies for cannabis treatment under the medical program.

In cases where your medical condition is not listed for cannabis treatment, it’s up to the physician to determine if it’s comparable to a listed condition, if it’s terminal, or if it’s debilitating.

Conditions Approved for Medical Marijuana

Here is the official list of medical conditions that qualify for medical marijuana treatment in Florida:

• Cancer
• HIV and AIDS
• Epilepsy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Terminal illnesses
• Illnesses of the same class or comparable to the listed
• Chronic pain

Accessing Medical Marijuana

Once you’re certified by a qualified physician, the state’s Department of Health will review your application and issue a marijuana ID card, which makes it legal for you to purchase and consume marijuana for medicinal reasons.

However, the card doesn’t authorize you to grow your own cannabis plants at home or buy weed from any source you come across.

Your only access to medical marijuana is a state-authorized dispensary known in Florida as a “medical marijuana treatment center.”

Suppose you can’t legally access medical marijuana in Florida because you’re a minor. In that case, the law allows you to designate an adult caregiver who will register with the program, obtain medical marijuana and administer it on your behalf.

Access for Out-of-State Patients

A holder of a medical marijuana card from another state cannot access the drug in Florida using that card.

If you consider yourself a seasonal Florida resident, the law allows you to apply for and obtain a marijuana card. But one of these conditions must apply:

• For every calendar year, you must stay in the state for at least 31 days consecutively
• You must maintain a temporary residency in the state
• You must be a taxpayer or a registered voter in another state or jurisdiction
• You must return to the jurisdiction once every year

Retail Licensing Laws

Some major changes in the licensing regulations are set to expand the medical cannabis program in Florida beginning in April 2023.

The state’s Department of Health created 22 more retail licenses, allowing new medical marijuana treatment centers to operate.

The application process for licensure and associated fees will also see changes by the recently-issued order from the Department of Health.

According to the new regulations regarding MMTC licensing, there will be an application window instead of a single round of applications to allow more room for investors to apply. The new rules also raise the application fee as well as the cost of renewing licenses by medical marijuana operators.

Final Thoughts

The Florida medical marijuana industry is still changing, accommodating its massive expansion. With new reforms in favor of patients and over 400 MMTC outlets operating in the state, patients’ access to medical cannabis continues to get easier.

Although most people don’t like to confront it, up to 15% of people get misdiagnosed at doctors’ appointments in the United States.

Getting the wrong diagnosis could cost you a lot of money, time, and energy. In severe cases, it has even impacted a person’s well-being. If you feel you are entitled to compensation for an error at the medical office, you need to start talking to your lawyer.

Continue reading to discover the best strategies that will help you choose a medical lawyer for your troubles!

Research Similar Situations

One of the best ways you can choose a medical lawyer is by learning more about your situation.

There’s a high probability that someone else has been in the same situation as you and needs to get legal help. Search engines and online groups can help you connect with trustworthy and successful attorneys. Since each case is unique, you can find someone with the most relevant experience or ask for more info from other options.

The more you can learn about your options for lawyers, the easier it’ll be to trust them. After you find a lawyer with similar experience, ask them about how many cases they’ve won and lost in court.

Take note of your legal needs about your medical mistreatment. If you have growing medical bills, can’t work, or lost a loved one, an attorney can help you recover your money.

Choose a Medical Lawyer That’s Legit

Anyone can put on a nametag and call themselves an attorney, which is why you must confirm their expertise.

Legal help involves sharing private details. If you share personal details with the wrong person, you could be dealing with even more legal problems in the future. Fortunately, you can go online or request docs from lawyers to verify the education, experience, and validity of their license.

Practicing attorneys must pass the BAR exam and go through a regulatory agency before they can accept clients. Each state grants licenses to people that have passed the requirements.

In the United States, it’s prohibited to classify yourself as a lawyer if you haven’t gained the proper credentials. If you encounter someone that isn’t licensed, report it to your state.

Check Review Sites

If you’re not reading online reviews while selecting an attorney, you’re missing out on key information.

Review sites give a raw representation of how an attorney works. Most comments tend to be extreme, whether they are positive or negative posts.

If you encounter negative comments, take note of the date and situation. You can address these concerns with attorneys that fit your budget. Pay close attention to the dates that reviews were made since they could have gained experience and resolved issues.

Visit the Attorney

A phone call can tell you a lot about an attorney, but you’ll eventually need to see them in person.

At https://www.axiomlaw.com/industries/medical-lawyers, you can connect with the best medical attorneys. After you find a legal firm nearby, call a potential candidate to get a better feel of how they communicate and work. Phone calls also provide a great opportunity to ask questions about their fees, schedule, and if they think they will be an asset to your case.

Once you’re comfortable with the details provided, you can visit the attorney at their office or meet somewhere public. Seeing each other in person will help you get the most accomplished within a short period.

Discuss Timelines

Timelines and schedules play a critical role in court cases since info needs to be reported timely.

Many people make the mistake of hiring a popular attorney, only to discover they have very little time to handle their case. Look for an attorney that has the availability to focus on your situation and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

If you aren’t happy with the delays or extended timelines, you can search for alternative candidates.

Don’t Shy Away from Medical Lawyer Fees

It can be intimidating to hire a lawyer if you’ve already got medical bills piling up.

It may seem contradictory, but people that hire a lawyer are more likely to recieve compensation for their mistreatment. Before you commit to a lawyer, discuss the legal fees that come with their services and how they typically charge clients.

Depending on the situation and the lawyer, you may get charged an hourly rate or have a fixed rate. Many lawyers can fit your budget, and if you look hard enough, some of them won’t charge you a dime! Don’t shy away from asking attorneys about how much they charge, you don’t want to be shocked when the case is over.

Ask for Referrals

Friends, family, and coworkers can be valuable resources when you want to find a lawyer.

There’s a good chance you know someone with commercial and contractor lawyer connections. Asking the people you know will get you in touch with a lawyer that’s nearby and you can ask follow-up questions about their services.

If you don’t have many people to network with, you can use social media to your advantage. By joining local groups and pages, you can ask for referrals from the people in your community.

Recover From Medical Set-Backs

When you choose a medical lawyer, you can’t rush the process, but you may also have deadlines to manage.

Aside from reading online reviews and researching your situation, you can find the best lawyer by using other tools. Not all attorneys have the same experience, and there are many niches within the medical and legal realm. Take your time to find someone that you trust and don’t hesitate to ask them about fees and concerns.

If you want to learn more about finding legal assistance and handling the courts, check out our page for the latest scoop!