Is it easy to find legal representation?
Legal representation is critical in helping both employers and employees navigate the complexities of the modern workforce. From negotiating mutually beneficial employment agreements to ensuring the workplace is harassment-free, employment lawyers help employers and employees resolve problems in the workplace. Finding the right lawyer, in our experience, really depends on a few things: in this post, we delve into a few considerations that will help you understand how to find the right employment lawyer to support you when you are grappling with workplace issues.
Find a lawyer who has experience dealing with your specific issue
Finding a lawyer to resolve your workplace issue can be challenging because many people underestimate the importance of legal expertise and specialisation.
Employment law covers a wide spectrum of workplace issues. Based on the specific issue you’re experiencing you will need to find a lawyer with not only the right knowledge but also the experience to guide you through the right processes. You want an employment lawyer who only practices employment law, and not one who specializes in a number of different areas of law
Think about it: would you want a lawyer to negotiate your severance package if the lawyer mainly handled real estate transactions, family law or personal injury matters? This is no different needing open heart surgery, for example, but selecting a doctor who was an ear nose and throat doctor who dabbled in heart surgery.
When you are represented by a lawyer with the right experience, resolving your employment law issue will be much easier.
Hold out for a lawyer who understands your needs
Finding a lawyer that actually understands and empathizes with you is also critical.
It’s not uncommon for a lawyer to have a strategy for resolving your case, which is at odds with your goals, beliefs and preferences. For example, a lawyer negotiating your severance package might adopt an aggressive approach, which creates animosity with your employer. This might be at odds with your goals and preferences if you wish to maintain a positive professional relationship with your employer, even after you leave the workplace (especially if you work in a tight industry).
Also, if your lawyer is not clear when explaining your options or simply moves forward with a strategy without consulting you, you will lack an understanding of what your options are and may be compelled to follow bad advice.
The right lawyer will outline all your options, regardless of what your issue is, weigh the pros and cons of each approach with you, and help you make a confident decision about what works best.
This is when you know you’ve found the right lawyer for you.
At Advocation, our complimentary Case Assessment meeting offers an opportunity for both you and the Firm to learn more about each other to mutually decide whether working together makes sense. During the Case Assessment, we outline what we believe are the best next steps required to put you on a path to resolution.
Check out reviews of your chosen lawyers
Another crucial part of finding the right lawyer is making sure your chosen lawyer is reviewed positively by former clients and peers.
This has less to do with finding a famous or big-name lawyer and more about finding someone who has demonstrated an ethical approach to work, is transparent, reliable, and won’t rip you off.
While you might need to do your research and do a little digging on peer-reviewing sites or go by word of mouth, this is critical to finding the right lawyer.
Consider your finances – how will you pay your lawyer?
Another thing you need to consider when you’re finding an employment lawyer is how you’re going to pay them. You want a lawyer who is clear about the fees you will expect to pay and helps you understand how you can pay for your legal fees.
For example, at Advocation, we have various legal fee payment methods and options. Together, we can determine your best option based on the nature of your case, your specific circumstances, and preferences. We also present financing options to help you understand how you may be able to pay for your legal fees.
Don’t take this flexibility for granted: not every lawyer or law firm is as transparent and open about their fees. For example, some law firms will only accept contingency payment arrangements for severance negotiations, even when you are able to pay your legal fees outright. As a result, rather than spending $5,000.00 in legal fees, you may end up paying double that amount (or much more), putting less money in your pocket.
Finding the right lawyer, therefore, includes discussing and understanding your options for paying for your legal fees.
Find the right legal representation in Toronto with Advocation
If you’re dealing with a workplace issue that requires the expertise and attention of an employment lawyer, finding the right legal representation may not necessarily be the easiest task.
That being said, it’s important that you do your research, talk to the right people, and to be sure that you find someone who can support you.
At Advocation, we support employers and employees who may be struggling with workplace challenges and require expert-driven support. Get in touch with us for more information about how we can support you with experience-backed legal representation.
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