Section I: Hiring A Lawyer
Week 1: Qualities To Look For In A Lawyer
a. Knowledge of the area of law that your case involves.
Don't hire a probate attorney for a domestic case and don't hire a domestic lawyer for a personal injury case. A discussion of areas of the law for which average people are most likely to need a lawyer and which require specialized knowledge.
b. Honesty. An honest lawyer will save you time and money and get a better result for you. A discussion of the reasons that is true.
c. Personal comfort level: This quality is important because you are paying your lawyer and trusting him with an important part of your life. Your lawyer should be professional, polite, personable and reasonable. One consideration is: Does your lawyer talk to you or at you? Discussion of other traits that tell you about a lawyer.
Week 2: Qualities To Avoid In A Lawyer
a. Don't choose an attorney just because you know or like him or her. This is a business decision. Discussion of reasons.
b. Don't choose a lawyer just because of an ad on television or in the yellow pages. Ads can be deceptive. Discussion of reasons.
c. Are judges and lawyers honest? A candid discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of our legal/judicial system.
Week 3: Finding A Lawyer
a. References from friends or relatives. Discussion of the pros and cons.
b. References from other attorneys. Discussion of the pros and cons.
c. Television and yellow pages ads. Discussion of the pros and cons.
Week 3 will also include the start of Section II:
Talking To And Listening To Your Lawyer
a. Don't be intimidated. He or she is human. Discussion.
b. If you don't understand something, ask him or her to explain it again. Remember, you are paying for advice so you can make a decision about your legal affairs and you can't make a good decision unless you understand everything your lawyer tells you. Discussion and examples.
Week 4: Finish Section II And Start Section III: The Law Isn't That Complicated-Understanding Legal Terms And Concepts And The Court System
End of Section II
a. Remember also that you are the customer (client) and you, not the lawyer will make the final decisions as to what is to be done in your case. Discussion and examples.
b. Don't be afraid to fire your lawyer if you honestly think you should. But don't do it just to shoot the messenger. Discussion and examples.
Start of Section III:
a. Jurisdiction. What does it mean and how does it affect your case?
b. Precedent. What does it mean and how does it affect your case?
c. Common Law. How could it affect your case?
d. Statutory Law. How could it affect your case?
e. Constitutional Law. How could it affect your case?
Week 5: The Design And Structure Of Our Court System
a. Trial Courts
b. Appellate Courts
c. Supreme Courts
Discussion of the federal and state court systems and the relationship between the two. |
