by Jennifer Claerr

Created on: October 30, 2009

If you need to hire a lawyer to represent you in court in Dallas, Texas, you may feel daunted by the tremendous number of lawyers that are available. Getting a lawyer may also seem very costly. Lawyers' fees in Dallas, Texas are higher than in many other parts of the country, often ranging as high as $400 per hour. However, the costs of trying to represent yourself in court are even higher. Fortunately, there are many good lawyers in Dallas, Texas that can help you for a reasonable fee.

Before you start looking for a Dallas lawyer, determine how much you can afford to spend. If you can't afford the high legal fees typically charged by lawyers in Dallas, Texas, consider hiring a paralegal, a legal student just out of college or a legal aid service.

The FindLaw.com website is a good resource for finding lawyers in Dallas, Texas. Click the "Find a Lawyer" link. Under "Legal Issue," search on the term that matches your legal issue. Under "Location" type "Dallas, Texas." Click "Find Lawyers." Click on the results that appear below the search box. You can also ask for a referral to a lawyer. Also ask friends and family in Dallas if they've had a positive experience with a lawyer in the area. Getting a referral can help you to to get a good lawyer who will act in your best interests.

Check the American Bar Association website to ensure that the lawyer you wish to interview is a member in good standing. Also check with the State Bar of Texas to ensure that the lawyer is a member in good standing of that bar, as well. You can also check the Better Business Bureau website to see if the lawyer has had any serious complaints from clients or has an unsatisfactory rating. If you have difficulty finding the lawyer on the BBB website, search on "Type of Business," type "attorneys" in the top field and type the zip code or type "Dallas" in the city field and "Texas" in the state field to see a list of Texas lawyers.

Call several lawyers for a consultation. Don't forget to ask if there is a fee associated with the consultation. When you interview the Dallas lawyers, be sure to ask lots of questions. Find out how long the lawyer has been in business, and what his primary area of practice is. Ask about his hourly fee and whether he ever charges a flat fee for handling court cases. Explain your situation to each lawyer fully and ask for his advice on how to proceed. Don't make up your mind to choose the first Dallas lawyer you meet with. Instead, commit to interviewing at least several lawyers and make up your mind only after the interviews are complete. If the lawyer is out of your price range or doesn't seem to have your best interest at heart, interview more lawyers until you find the right one.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Claerr.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.