What are Pros and Cons When Hiring Small Law Firms vs Large Law Firms?
February 7, 2018 | Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury
What are the pros and cons of dealing with small law firms vs large law firms?
Being involved in a car wreck or the victim of a professional negligence/medical malpractice claim is overwhelming. You’re scared, likely in pain, perhaps not working, and you really need someone who will fight for you.
In your research on finding the best lawyer to handle your claim, should you consider whether to hire a small firm or a large firm? Might that be important to you?
Read on to learn more.
SMALL LAW FIRMS VS. LARGE LAW FIRMS
Just because a law firm has many members doesn’t necessarily mean that it is better equipped to handle your particular claim.
For example, if there are 12 lawyers in a firm, and only one or two of them specialize in personal injury cases, then there’s not much of a “manpower” advantage to hiring that firm, as opposed to a solo practitioner or a small firm.
However, sometimes it certainly does make sense to hire a larger firm.
If your case is complex and pursuing it will be expensive and very labor-intensive, then hiring a larger firm could well be an advantage. Solo practitioners may have a difficult time providing funding for a case like yours. You cannot allow yourself to be put in that situation. Your case must be given the financial backing it requires.
Then again, solo practice lawyers oftentimes have developed associations with larger firms who specialize in more complex, difficult and expensive cases. So it is possible for you to get the best of both worlds in that instance. You can get the personal attention from someone who is YOUR lawyer and who has already developed a good working relationship with a larger firm.
The solo practice lawyer can actually act as your advocate in that instance, and that can be very beneficial. Moreover, you, as the client, have the benefit of that personal relationship with your small firm lawyer as well as the benefit of the financial backing of a larger firm with whom YOUR lawyer has developed a working relationship. This can be of great benefit to you.
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING A LAWYER
Regardless of the size of the firm, one of the most important considerations in choosing a lawyer is your level of confidence and trust that your lawyer will do good work in representing you and your family in your time of need.
It is important that you have the ability to develop a personal, professional relationship with your attorney, and that the lines of communication are kept open at all times.
Whether from a larger firm or a small firm, your lawyer must be available to you when you need him or her and must be responsive to your needs. A lawyer has an ethical obligation to meet those requirements.
STEALEY LAW & MEDIATION | PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER | MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWYER | WEST VIRGINIA
At Stealey Law & Mediation, you will meet with Jim Stealey personally. If appropriate and in your best interests, Jim will discuss with you whether it might be advantageous to engage another, larger firm to assist in the preparation and development of your case. If so, Jim will recommend an association.
It is important to understand that if Jim does decide that the association of another lawyer or another firm will be beneficial to you, this WILL NOT result in an increase in your attorney’s fees. Any fees paid to the lawyer or law firm which Jim associates on your case will come out of Jim’s share of the recovery, not yours.
Ready to make an appointment? Think you have a case? Call us today: 304-485-3127
