North Central States Chapter National MS Society
How to Choose a Lawyer
How to find a lawyer : Word-of-mouth: ask friends, family members, colleagues, and neighbors for a referral. The Ask An Attorney Program through the chapter. Ask a lawyer that you know for a referral. Referral services: call the North Central States Chapter or call the Bar Association in your state: Minnesota Bar Association: 1-800-882-6722 State Bar Association of North Dakota: 1-800-472-2685 State Bar Association of South Dakota: 1-800-952-2333 Iowa State Bar Association: 1-800-532-1108 Check for legal service plans through your employer, union, or membership in a group or association. Finding a lawyer at low or no cost: Legal-aid services in your area based on income guidelines. Law schools in your area may have low-cost legal services provided by students. Legal clinics at the chapter at selected time and locations. How lawyers charge for services: Hourly rates. Depends on: experience, size of the firm, and the going rate for your area. Fixed or flat fee. There is a fixed fee charged, no matter how much time is spent doing the work. Contingency. The lawyer receives a certain percentage of money that you are paid as a settlement. Expenses. In addition to fees, you will be charged for fees related to the work the lawyer does for you like filing, mailing, faxing, and other such costs.
Retainers. Although a lawyer can ask for money up front, do not do so without a written agreement. Before making a decision: Ask for references from other people who had cases similar to yours and check them. Contact the State Attorney’s Discipline Board and find out if there is a record of complaints. North Dakota: 701-328-3925 Minnesota: 1-800-657-3601 South Dakota: 605-763-2107 Iowa: 515-725-8019 Make sure that you understand any written agreement or contract and how costs and expenses will be charged. Check your comfort level with the lawyer. Questions to Ask your Lawyer √ Experience and length of practice? √ What are the possible outcomes of the case? √ Estimated timeline of the case? √ How are services billed? √ Are there any expenses beyond the fees? √ Will the case go to court? Maintaining a Positive Relationship: Keep your own set of files and keep things in chronological order. Plan conversations in advance and keep track of the conversation length. Offer to help to do things like make copies or track down needed information to help keep fees down. Try to communicate all of the facts to your lawyer. Raise any concerns with your lawyer early and if it is a serious issue, file a complaint with your state’s disciplinary board. (Information adapted from www.lifework.com)
For more information, please contact the National MS Society, North Central States Chapter at 1-800-344-4867 or visit us at: www.myMSsociety.org Other Resources: Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota 320-762-0663 http://www.lsnmlaw.org Law Help MN http://www.lawhelpmn.org/MN/index.cfm Minnesota Legal Services Coalition 651-222-0745 http://www.mnlegalservices.org/ Legal Services of North Dakota http://www.legalassist.org/tree/lsnd_tree.html North Dakota Protection and Advocacy Project 1-800-472-2670 http://www.ndpanda.org Dakota Plains Legal Services 605-856-4444 http://www.hud.gov/local/sd/homeless/legalaid.cfm East River Legal Services 605-336-9230 http://www.hud.gov/local/sd/homeless/legalaid.cfm Iowa Legal Aide Website http://www.iowalegalaid.org/IA/index.cfm Iowa Legal Aid Central Iowa Regional Office
1-800-532-1275 South Dakota Protection and Advocacy Services 1-800-658-4782 or 605-224-8294 Iowa Protection and Advocacy Services 1-800-779-2502 or 515-278-2502