Buffalo Law Firms

Guide to Buffalo Law Firms

It can be challenging to narrow down your choices of law firms to just one. If you are looking at hiring a Buffalo law firm to represent your case, you should understand the difference between the types of Buffalo law firms so that you can choose the ones that are best for you. This guide will explain your options so that you have a starting point for narrowing down your law firm choices.

Before You Start Searching

Even if you don't know exactly what kind of Buffalo law firm you want to represent you, it's important to understand your own preferences before you begin looking for Buffalo law firms. Get out a piece of paper and a pen, and start writing down what you want out of your lawyer/client relationship.

A good way to begin is by writing first what your legal issue is that you believe Buffalo law firms can help with. After this, write down the resolution that you are hoping you can achieve with the assistance of the right Buffalo law firm.

Once you've figured out what you want to do, the next step is to think about what you want in a law firm. Do you want a personal, relaxed atmosphere, or a dry, businesslike one at the Buffalo law firm you choose? Do you prefer an aggressive lawyer or do you want to find Buffalo law firms that use more mediation tactics? There are no right or wrong answers—choose what would make you most satisfied.

Large Law Firms

If your idea of a great Buffalo law firm is one with a “deep bench” of experienced lawyers and support staff, you may want to start your search by looking at big Buffalo law firms. These large firms offer a lot to clients, but come at a high price—as much as $500 per billable hour or more. Here are some signs you may want to look at large Buffalo law firms:

ñ You want a Buffalo law firm to handle your legal affairs on an ongoing basis, regardless of what your future needs may be, and you need a firm with enough lawyers to always have someone with the right expertise on staff.

ñ You are searching for Buffalo law firms that offer a professional and businesslike atmosphere, and are comfortable dealing with a formal environment.

ñ You are seeking representation for a corporate entity, rather than yourself as an individual. A large Buffalo law firm will be generally accustomed to having many corporate clients and know how to assist corporations with legal problems.

Big Buffalo law firms aren't for everybody. First time clients may want to seek smaller firms, because the large Buffalo law firm environment can be intimidating for people not used to hiring lawyers. Lawyers at large Buffalo law firms are also more difficult, generally, to get in touch with—you may end up speaking to a secretary significantly more often than your attorney. Keep in mind that not everyone needs, or wants, the services offered by these larger firms.

Small and Mid-Sized Firms

Large firms can be great for some clients, but if you're looking for a smaller firm, you can pick from a much wider variety of law firms. Some small firms may have around a dozen lawyers, but others will have just one or two. Because small law practices operate with much less overhead than larger firms by having lower salaries and fewer support staff, you may want to hire a lawyer from a small Buffalo law firm if your budget is tight.

Because small Buffalo law firms often work with clients who have minimal budgets, they sometimes offer payment plans and arrangements that larger firms won't. You may be able to pay your legal bills off slowly, a month at a time, rather than all at once. For many types of legal issues, you may be able to get a flat rate instead of paying by the hour.

Cost isn't the only reason to hire a smaller Buffalo law firm. If you want to be able to talk to your lawyer whenever you need to, smaller Buffalo law firms give you better access. You may also find that you are more comfortable in a more relaxed environment that some smaller firms offer.

General Practice Law Firms

After you decide the size of the Buffalo law firm you wan to represent you, you should think about whether you want a generalist or a specialist law firm. While most Buffalo law firms used to be general practices, today, most firms choose to specialize.

The fact that it is harder than it used to be to find a general practice Buffalo law firm should not rule it out—these firms still have a lot to offer for some types of clients. For instance, if you want to develop an ongoing lawyer/client relationship so that you can get legal advice about many different legal issues, a general practice may be a good bet. If you are seeking legal advice about a single issue, though, specialist Buffalo law firms may be better able to assist you.

Specialty Firms

Now that many areas of law require specialized knowledge, many firms have decided to only take cases in a relatively narrow field. In some specialty legal practices, like patent or intellectual property law, most lawyers have advanced technical, scientific, or engineering degrees in addition to their professional degree in law. Other specialist firms simply have lawyers with years of experience taking the same types of cases.

Whatever your legal need is, it's very likely that a specialty firm can serve your needs. Buffalo law firms specialize in a wife range of legal areas, including divorce and family law, bankruptcy, medical malpractice, personal injury law, employment and labor law, and many other fields as well.

After you decide on what specialty firm type you need, you can compare and contrast firms by reviewing their websites, including lawyer biographies, as well as any online reviews of the firm or its lawyers. You may also want to ask friends and family if they have a recommendation that might help you to find the right Buffalo law firm for you.