Find A New York Lawyer

Lawyers get a bad rap (can a million lawyer jokes really be wrong?), but there are times when legal representation can really come in handy. Lawyers can be useful for happy occasions -- like when you're incorporating a new business or buying a house. A good lawyer is also essential when dealing with trying times -- when you need to file or defend a lawsuit, when you're accused of a crime, or when you're struggling with bankruptcy or divorce.

There are a lot of lawyers out there -- good and bad. The prospect of finding the right attorney for your particular situation can seem daunting, especially if you've never hired a lawyer before or have limited funds. The following steps can help you find the right lawyer for your case -- and you may even qualify for free or low-cost legal services.

Do You Really Need A Lawyer?
When do you really need a lawyer and when are you wasting your money? Before deciding to hire an attorney, evaluate the potential risk of moving ahead without a lawyer. You probably don't need a lawyer to take care of a speeding ticket. But if substantial money is at stake or if more important things are at risk (like your freedom, your rights, or your reputation), you should consider hiring a lawyer.

If you are accused of committing a crime or party to a law suit, you should contact a lawyer right away. You can file for a divorce or for bankruptcy yourself, but a lawyer could help you avoid legal complications that could cost you money down the line. A lawyer's advice can also be invaluable if you need to sign a contract or agreement. Legally binding contracts have a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo you may not understand, but a lawyer can help you with the fine print and save you money and/or hassles in the future.

Don't Be Hasty
Once you decide you need a lawyer, you have to find the right one. Don't immediately make a call to your cousin's ex-boyfriend or your ex-boyfriend's cousin. Most lawyers tend to focus their practices in particular areas. You don't want to trust a divorce lawyer to handle your employment discrimination case or vice versa.

Find A Qualified Lawyer
One good way to get started is by asking trusted friends or acquaintances for recommendations. If you go this route, you should ask several people for names of lawyers they have used and question them about the lawyer's qualifications and performance. Don't stop there, however. Once you have some lawyers' names, do your own research to narrow your choices.

There are a number of directories that can be very useful in researching lawyers' qualifications and track records. These directories are also good places to start if you can't get a recommendation from someone you know. You can search for lawyers by specialization area and click through to read more about each attorney and/or firm. Some of these directories also provide recommendations -- giving their seal of approval to lawyers who meet certain standards.

The Association of the Bar of the City of New York: The Bar Association provides lawyer referrals within the New York metropolitan area. Fill out a confidential questionnaire online and the Bar Association will find a qualified lawyer that matches your needs and arrange an appointment. This organization also sponsors a hotline and free seminars and clinics on legal issues.

New York Lawyer Directory This online attorney database allows you to find and research lawyers in the New York area. Search by specialization area and review profiles of matching law firms. LawInfo.com has a qualification process that includes peer references and background checks. Attorneys who pass the qualification process receive the LawInfo.com seal of approval as "Lead Counsel."

Lawyers.com: Lawyers.com is a free service for individuals and small businesses from Martindale-Hubbell, publisher of directories and research for the legal industry. The online lawyer directory features profiles of 440,000 lawyers and law firms worldwide. You can search by geographic area and/or type of lawyer. The site also features tips and articles on legal issues.