If you are involved in a legal case either as the plaintiff or defendant, it is best to hire a lawyer to represent you. However, many people don’t understand what sets apart a lawyer from a law firm. One of the biggest differences between hiring an individual lawyer vs hiring an entire law firm is cost.
Lawyer Vs. Lawfirm Which Is The Better Option
Let’s take a look at some of the major differences between hiring one person verses an entire law firm below:
1) Pricing
Hiring one lawyer will be cheaper than hiring an entire law firm. When you hire one person, that person either charges by the hour or has their own flat-rate fee schedule depending on how their contract reads with you. If you hire an entire law firm, like The Barnes Firm in New York, the pricing will be based on a percentage of the total settlement or judgment amount. This is usually between 15% to 33%.
2) Time Spent Per Client
Another difference is how much time each individual lawyer spends per client. Generally speaking, lawyers that work for themselves spend less time per client than those working at larger firms. Lawyers who are salaried by the law firm often have very strict guidelines as to how many hours they can bill per week, making them much more regulated in their time spent with clients than independent lawyers. Additionally, law firms tend to expect much less unproductive work due to pressure from higher-ups and partners within the firm.
3) Communication
If you hire a single lawyer, they will not have as much experience as a law firm. In general, law firms tend to be more experienced and better organized. They also have a dedicated team of expert professionals who work on cases with them daily, which makes the entire process easier for clients because you can always reach someone at the firm- even if it is not your attorney, you can speak to their paralegal or assistant who will be able to put you in contact with your lawyer or another member of their team. This is not always the case when hiring an individual lawyer versus hiring a law firm, as one person may end up having to juggle numerous cases at the same time.
4) Litigation Support
For major cases like personal injury litigation, you will want to hire a law firm with specialized support staff such as paralegals and assistants educated on the Court system and case laws specific to your case. They can help ensure that everything is handled efficiently so that your lawsuit doesn’t drag on for too long, which could hurt you financially or damage your chances of winning the lawsuit.
5) Different Legal Specialties
If you have specialized legal needs, hiring a law firm with lawyers specializing in those particular areas will be better for you. For example, you wouldn’t want a family law attorney working on your personal injury case.
Final Words
Overall, there are many advantages to hiring a law firm over an individual lawyer. However, it all depends on your specific situation, so it’s best to do some research first before making any decisions one way or the other. If you don’t have the money or need an entire law firm, hiring one individual may be your best bet and save you money and headaches in the long run!
