When two parties enter into a contract, there is an expectation that the terms will be honored. If one party does not hold up his or her end of the bargain, the other party can sue for breach of contract. In order to do this, a litigation lawyer must be retained. If you need to hire a contract litigation lawyer in Tampa, here are some of the questions you should ask before you commit to the attorney-client relationship.
- Have You Had a Similar Case Before?
This question helps you gauge the lawyer’s experience with contract law. It is particularly important in litigation cases that the attorney you hire has trial experience. You don’t want to walk into a courtroom with someone who has limited or no experience presenting before a jury. Following up with queries about the attorney’s win/loss record can also give you useful information as to your chances of success should you go forward.
- What Will the Process Look Like?
Before you go into any adversarial situation, it is important to know what to expect. Have the attorney give you a general timeline. Ask about potential outcomes and the factors that may influence those outcomes. Finding out how good your chances of winning seem to be can help you form reasonable expectations. Follow up by finding out the likelihood that the lawyer will try for a settlement rather than take the case to court.
- Who Will Be Working on the Case?
Many firms take on cases and then use a team of associates to assist with the bulk of the work. You have a right to know who will be handling your case if you choose to go with the attorney you’re interviewing. After all, you are not just hiring a lead attorney but everyone who assists on the case. A good follow-up to the disclosure that less experienced attorneys will be handling research and minor tasks is asking for a breakdown of how that will affect your billing.
- What Experience Do You Have With the Court?
Lawyers form relationships with judges, the staff and other lawyers. It is possible that the attorney you are seeking to hire has some experience with the jurisdiction handling your case. If the relationships are good, that may help you. On the other hand, there may be benefits to hiring someone who doesn’t bear the burden of previous opinions. Follow up by asking how the attorney thinks the relationships will affect the case.
If you sue for breach of contract, you need an experienced lawyer to represent you. By asking good questions, you can find the one who is best for you.
