Why You Should Hire a Local Lawyer
Nov 15 2022 19:33
Personalized service, personal attention, accountability
When I started this firm in 2014 in Dallas, Georgia, I had a clear vision of what I wanted it to be. The most important part of that vision is I wanted to ensure that every one of my clients is personally represented by me, and not shuffled off to a paralegal or intake specialist or case manager. When you hire a lawyer, you ought to get a lawyer.
Too many firms, especially larger firms or the "big advertisers," follow the other model. They want to get you in the door, sign you up, and shuffle you off. If you get tired of not being able to talk to your lawyer, they will simply put a lien on your file and collect from your new attorney when you decide to hire a lawyer who does pay attention to you and your case. This not only harms you, because it robs you of proper legal representation during the time you are being serviced by a paralegal or case manager. It also harms your new attorney, who is working on your case and is giving you personal attention and ensuring that your case is given proper priority. It requires that new attorney to give a portion of his or her fee to the attorney whose office rushed you to sign up and then did not properly represent you, or to litigate over the old attorney's entitlement to a lien.
In making a decision to hire a lawyer, ask yourself some questions. Have you met the attorney who will be handling your case? Do you trust him or her? Do you feel like your interests are being considered? Conversely, have you only met with an "intake specialist" but never spoken with an actual attorney? Are you being pushed to sign paperwork binding you to pay an attorney you haven't met or spoken with when your case settles? Do you feel like you are being shuffled through a process or entering into a relationship with someone who is going to advocate on your behalf?
At Garner Law Office, we take great pride in providing personal service. You will only deal with me and my assistant. You will meet with me to discuss your case and weigh your options. You will not be one of many "files" in my office, but you will be a valuable client and, hopefully, a friend. We work and live in the community so we can serve the community. That means you, the client, are not only a commodity and revenue stream to us. You are also our neighbor, and we will treat you as such.