Frequently Asked Questions and Useful Links
At Magee, Zeringue & Richardson Attorneys at Law, we understand that legal matters are complex and often feel intimidating. We believe that this can be a more comfortable experience when you are better informed. We hope this information is helpful and encourage you to contact our office to arrange for a personal consultation.
Click on question to see answer.
- Do I need a particular kind of lawyer for my particular problem?
- There are general practice attorneys who handle a number of different legal situations. However, there are also lawyers with more specialized areas in which they have trained and practiced. An attorney’s or law firm’s areas of specialized practice are usually listed on their websites and/or phone directory listings. These lawyers have studied in detail previously decided cases in their fields of practice, as well as being knowledgeable of the state statutes in these areas.
- How do I choose which lawyer I want?
- After determining the area of law in which your lawyer needs to be experienced, other important considerations include competence, accessibility and price. Ask about their specific qualifications, experience and continuing legal education with respect to your particular legal situation. Good questions to ask when interviewing an attorney include:
- Have you handled cases like this before?
- What percentage of your work involves this kind of case?
- Will you be the only one working on my case? If not, how does that affect the fees you charge?
- Will we have a written agreement if I retain your services?
- What fees would I incur in this matter?
- Can you give me an estimated range of what this whole thing will cost me?
- Does my matter involve a statute of limitations or any kind of deadline that I need to be aware of?
- How do I find a lawyer?
- Listings of lawyers and their services can be found in the phone directory or searched on the Internet, or in directories available at the public library. The Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory is one of the most well-known and comprehensive sources for locating attorneys and law firms, and includes background information on attorneys and their areas of practice. Other resources available for locating lawyers include:
- Personal Referral – Common referral sources include employers, law schools, labor unions, consumer groups, and public interest organizations. However, the best recommendations often come from people you know who have a similar problem to yours, and who have had a successful resolution.
- How do I know what kind of lawyer to call?
- If it isn’t clear to you what kind of lawyer you need for your particular situation, most law offices are happy to respond to inquiries as to whether they can fulfill your need, and, if not, to advise you of the area of law your situation calls for. You should give careful consideration to the lawyer you select. It’s a good idea to speak with several before making a selection in order to find a lawyer you are comfortable with.
- What qualifications must a lawyer have?
- To practice law in Louisiana, a person must be of good moral character, hold the degree of Juris Doctor from an approved law school, and must have passed the “bar exam,” given by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Only those who hold this degree, and who are members of the Louisiana State Bar Association may practice law in Louisiana.
- When do I need a lawyer?
- It is often wise to engage a lawyer’s services before you have a problem. Preventative law can eliminate potential problems and save you time, money, and worry. You may require legal assistance when you face these, or other, circumstances:
- You are purchasing or selling real estate
- You are entering a lease or contract
- You are getting married (pre-nuptial agreements), divorced, or wish to adopt a child
- A lawsuit has been brought against you, or you wish to bring a lawsuit against another
- You have been arrested or charged with a crime
- You are starting a business, planning your estate or making a will
- You’ve been in an accident, involving injury to yourself and/or others, and/or there has been damage to property, you then may need a personal injury lawyer
- You’ve been denied or terminated from employment, or benefits have been denied (welfare, social security, veterans,
retirement, pension or insurance plan)
- You are making an application or appeal to a government agency or board
- You have an immigration problem
- You believe a doctor, lawyer, or other professional has committed malpractice
- Your civil rights have been violated
- You have problems or questions about collection or other financial matters.
- Who is a lawyer?
- A lawyer, or attorney, is a person who has been authorized to practice law. He or she is an officer of the court, who has been licensed to explain the law to clients, advise them of their options under the law, and provide representation in court, before administrative tribunals, and in their business transactions.
Helpful Links
St. Tammany Clerk, http://www.sttammanyclerk.org or http://www.22ndjdc.org
St. Tammany Assessor’s Office, http://www.stassessor.org/
St. Tammany Parish Government, http://www.stpgov.org/
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, http://www.stpso.org/
City of Covington, http://www.covla.com
Louisiana Secretary of State, http://www.sos.louisiana.gov
Louisiana State Bar Association, http://www.lsba.org/
Louisiana Department of Insurance, http://www.ldi.state.la.us
National Board of trial Advocacy, http://www.nblsc.us
ADF, Alliance Defense Fund, http://www.alliancedefensefund.org
