Choosing a Lawyer - Saras and Others

[CasualTiger]

Gurus, I am going to invoke AC21 and have decided to use an american lawyer my friend recommended. This lawyer is a sole practioner and just has 3 people in her staff. I am used to big law firms with 2 or 3 attorneys and lot of paralegal people.

Should the sole practioner thing be a concern? Any ideas.

Best Regards

 

[saras76]

Hard to say ..

Gurus, I am going to invoke AC21 and have decided to use an american lawyer my friend recommended. This lawyer is a sole practioner and just has 3 people in her staff. I am used to big law firms with 2 or 3 attorneys and lot of paralegal people.

Should the sole practioner thing be a concern? Any ideas.

Best Regards

CasualTiger,

I have always dealt with my company lawyers and they have typically been mid-sized to large law firms. I don't think the size of the law firm can give you a good indication of their competence. Research things like the lawyers experience (how many cases has he/she handled in the past), reputation (by talking to others who may have used him/her), find out if he/she is a member of AILA (not that big a deal but still relevant) and other such things. Just because the lawfirm has a small staff does not mean that they are incompetent. However, being a small law firm comes with its disadvantages. It is likely that the lawyer does not have that many resources to cater to your ever need, it is also likely that they do not have AILA reps that can initiate inquiries, finally you always run the risk of something happening to the law firm or the lawyer and no one being there to assist you since he/she may be the only lawyer in the firm.

Please think of the above things before you make your decision.

Hope this helps and good luck with your AC-21.

regards,

saras