Hiring an attorney is a personal choice. That is why it is important that you’re finding out about the respective law firm before you put things to pen and paper. At the heart of the matter will be deciding whether you should hire a litigator or an attorney. A lawyer could be involved in courtroom proceedings but a litigator will be dancing around it. In order to understand the fundamental differences between the two, it is imperative to understand what a litigator does.
What Does a Litigator Do?
A litigator will mostly be found in a large firm. Such professionals will charge by the hour. They’re highly effective when it comes to handling preliminary matters. Such matters will include making motions, arguing motions, and preparing briefs. An attorney will mostly focus on the facts about a case. They’re in a position to know the messaging that is likely to resonate with the jury.With litigation, there are no guarantees that the case will go to trial. Litigators will mostly handle cases without having to appear before a jury. Most of the work will be done outside the courtroom. A good Toronto litigation lawyer will ensure that the case is not going to trial. In the event that it happens, they’ll hand over the case to someone with trial experience. If you’re a client, it is imperative to know what a litigator can do so that there are no surprises down the road.
It can be daunting to figure out if hiring a litigator is necessary but there are some situations that could necessitate doing so. Such scenarios will include:
- When it involves injury or death: It doesn’t matter if it is property liability, medical malpractice, or car accident injuries, a litigator might have to be involved to handle the claim process. Ideally, you’d want to look for a litigator that has specialized in handling such cases.
- When an expert witness is needed: If an expert witness will be needed in the lawsuit, your best bet would be to work with a litigator. The litigator will have relationships with the expert witnesses which will be beneficial for your case.
- The other party has a lawyer: You’ll be at a disadvantage when the other party has an attorney and you don’t in a lawsuit. Representing yourself will obviously not be a good idea even when the facts are obvious.
- In order to navigate the legal system, it is crucial to have an impeccable understanding of the law. There are complex legal procedures and you’ll be wasting time and money trying to figure out things on your own. Most litigators will offer a free case evaluation which you can take advantage of so that you’re aware of the legal options worth exploring. Getting the right litigator is the first thing you’ll want to focus on if you’re to get to the best possible outcome without necessarily going to trial. There are some key qualities you’d want to look for and they include:
- Experience: You should find out the number of years that the professional has been practicing. Most litigators will want to make sure that the legal matter is being settled out of court. To get an idea of the experience of the litigator, you’ll need to find out about the number of years that they’ve been practicing. You can also ask for references just to be sure that the litigator has the necessary experience.
- Local: Working with a local litigator is beneficial for a couple of reasons. Such a person will already have an established reputation in the local community. They also have a thorough understanding of the local laws which gives you an advantage with your case. Working with a local litigator will make the research process a lot easier.
