How to find a reliable law firm in New York?

There used to be a time when there was a dearth of lawyers in the U.S., today they are dime a dozen. Unsurprisingly, many law firms have sprouted; many of them in New York - the heartland of legal profession in America. While this is a good news for many customers - who can now negotiate with more confidence - it has created its own problems: it is now harder for an individual or business to find a law firm that works for his or her purposes. In the words of New York based lawyer Hartley Bernstein, while the number of law firms in New York has increased, it has become more difficult for people and businesses to find law firms that can be trusted.

Fortunately, things have not gotten out of hand. It is still possible, if you are a little careful, to find reliable law firms in New York. The key is to look for certain characteristics and ask pertinent questions.

Experience Matters

When looking for a law firm, prefer to do business with those that have been in business for a long time. Hartley Bernstein has been practicing corporate law for more than three decades. If you are starting a new business, then his firm is a relatively safer bet compared to a law firm founded a month or two ago. Experience matters.

Experience is not merely the sum total of years a firm has been doing business. It is much more. It is not a good idea to hire a law firm that deals with immigration cases to manage your business cases. Experience extends to the type of cases a firm has been handling.

To conclude, it is possible to choose a good law firm in New York if you focus on the number of years the firm has been doing business the kind of cases it accepts.


About Hartley Bernstein: Hartley Bernstein is a corporate and securities attorney and civil litigator with a specialty in business transactions and civil litigation.

What to ask when you interview attorneys?

There is not another profession that is hated as much as the law. Despite the widespread discontent expressed against lawyers, we all need attorneys at some time during our lives. A lack of knowledge and popular clichés do not help when the time comes to meet lawyers and interview them. We all need to ask intelligent questions. In this blog, New York based corporate lawyer Hartley Bernstein suggests a series of questions you should ask when you interview an attorney:

(a)    Are you experienced?

Be direct. If you are seeking legal help to incorporate a business, do not be shy. Ask your attorney if he or she has ever worked on an incorporation case.

(b)   Are you connected?

It is smarter to plump for lawyers who can diagnose your problems and tackle minor issues without bothering you. For instance, if your case has specialized needs - such as copyright law – it is advisable to ask your lawyer if he or she is well connected. It is not fun – and certainly not cheap – to hunt down for newer lawyers.

(c)    Have you worked for clients in my industry?

It is advisable to work with attorneys who are familiar with your industry. They are usually in a better position to understand the ins and outs of your case and produce convincing arguments. It helps you in a second way, too. If the lawyer has worked for your competition, you will have to rethink hiring him or her – it is not fun for your sensitive information to be leaked to an opponent.

(d)   How flexible are you in billing?

There is currently a glut of lawyers. Too many of them are working in large cities. This has created a buyers’ market. It provides you with an opportunity to negotiate fees; it was unthinkable only a few years ago. It is wise to take advantage of this market and be straight about payment. Ask your lawyer if he or she is comfortable with billing.

New York based corporate lawyer Hartley Bernstein is of the opinion that it is wise to ask experience, connects, previous clientele and payments while interviewing your attorney.