contact us today (775) 789-4944 contact us today (775) 789-4944Finding a dedicated local lawyer can be challenging. Many large law firms have set up satellite offices around Nevada, so it can be hard to determine whether you are dealing with a local lawyer or not. A satellite office can make a legal professional appear local, but that doesn’t mean the attorney will provide a local counsel’s benefits. Therefore, be sure to ask where the attorney lives before making a decision. Seek referrals from friends and family members to avoid falling into the hands of lawyers not familiar with your territory.
Choosing a local product over a non-local one is a common practice in the food industry. Local purchases have clear economical advantages over products grown or manufactured elsewhere. The same applies when it comes to choosing a local accident attorney in Reno, Nevada. Hiring a local personal injury attorney in Reno, NV is by far advantageous to hiring counsel from a different state or a different part of the state. Here are some additional reasons to hire a local attorney.
Some cases can drag for months or even several years. Thus, it is crucial to work with a local counsel who can guarantee access throughout the claim process. The accessibility of a local counsel ensures that every client can consult the law firm virtually anytime. Whether in person, via email, via Zoom, or over the phone, a local lawyer will be available to discuss your case with you.
Availability
Never hesitate to contact a local, qualified lawyer whenever you want to file a claim. A local attorney can be available to assist you at any time. A local personal injury law firm in Reno, Nevada can appear on a court or tribunal on your behalf with little notice. A client doesn’t have to worry that their court date is drawing near because a Reno personal injury lawyer could be a call away.
Working locally can be advantageous for a lawyer. An accident attorney in Reno, NV can figure out how all the pieces fit together before the claim process kick-starts. For example, if you are involved in a road accident, a local lawyer will likely know the officer in charge of your case. Local attorneys also know how they can reach everyone involved in your case, including the prosecutor, judge, and court clerks.
Follow the Law
Every jurisdiction has its specific rules and regulations. Some rules could be extensive, while others are more abided by than others. Non-local lawyers can offend the judge for not adhering to a particular rule. Rules of practice can range from knowing parties that should be present at a hearing to understanding various ways to address the judge. In short, each local court has local rules that must be adhered to. Local legal professionals tend to understand the local rules of practice better than visiting lawyers.
Local lawyers also know people involved in similar situations and can seek guidance from them. For example, a local attorney is better acquainted with the people in their community. Every case has its weaknesses and strengths, and the knowledge of the people in the community, local bar, the judges, and insurance adjusters involved in a claim can help your Reno personal injury attorney pursue your case in the best way.
Reputation
Reputation plays a critical role in the legal community. The more time a person spends in a court, the easier and quicker it is to find a lawyer with high regard. Local lawyers are likely to handle your case better to maintain their reputation in the community. Local lawyers will appear in a hearing armed with a strategic approach and thorough research to advance your rights. However, this may not be true for a visiting lawyer who might never appear in the local courtroom ever again.
When you are finding lawyers, it is not necessary to limit yourself to the county where your case will be brought. Any lawyer licensed in your state can represent you. Due to advances in communication and the rise in the use of video conferencing, you do not have to be physically close to your lawyer to communicate with him or her effectively. Instead of looking for the lawyer that is closest to the courthouse, it may be more important for you to find a lawyer that you are comfortable with or who has considerable experience with your type of case.
You may want to consider hiring a lawyer that is in the same county if your case is going to require a lot of in-person interviews with parties or witnesses to the case, and they are all local. Additionally, if your case seems like it is going to require a lot of court appearances, you may want to consider looking inside your county when you are finding lawyers.
Just like when you hire a lawyer from another county, hiring a lawyer from a different state is much easier now that everyone is familiar with video communications like Zoom and Skype. You can easily communicate with an out-of-state lawyer over the phone, through e-mail, or with video conferences. Because you do not have to travel to the lawyer’s office, you do not have to worry about how close your lawyer is.
However, when you are finding lawyers, it is important to know where your lawyer is licensed. Your lawyer must be licensed in the state in which you are going to bring your case. For example, if your case will be filed in Nevada, your lawyer must be licensed in Nevada to file anything with the court or make an appearance before a judge. If you have a lawyer from California, he or she must be licensed in Nevada to help you.
Lawyers can be licensed in multiple states. So, if you happen to find a lawyer from New York who you really like, he or she can work for you as long as he or she is licensed in Nevada. Even if a lawyer is not licensed in your state, he or she can represent you in certain cases. A lawyer can team up with a local lawyer and ask the local lawyer to move for the out-of-state lawyer to be admitted “pro hac vice.” Pro hac vice means “for this time.” So, the lawyer’s admission to practice in the state is only for your specific case.
An out-of-state lawyer may not know the laws and court procedures of your state. Additionally, having an out-of-state lawyer traveling to your state may end up being cost prohibitive.
