Houston Law Firms

What Makes a Good Houston Law Firm?

Texas is a big state. So you can only imagine just how big the legal industry is. This is to be expected everywhere, though, because in truth the law is a field that puts everything into everything. It’s like a backstage pass. Anyone practicing law gets in on just about everything in society –

1. Real Estate

2. Estate Planning

3. Copyright

4. Personal Injury

5. Wrongful Death

6. Court Martial

7. Immigration

8. Sexual Misconduct

9. Adoption

10. Animal Cruelty

11. Crime

12. Insurance

13. Divorce

14. Marriage

The list goes on and on. The law involves everything. And in the state of Texas, that’s a big deal. Specifically if you happen to be in the city of Houston, you’ll probably at one point or another be asking this same question from up top: What makes a good Houston law firm?

This article will help you out with that easily. Just read on.

There Are Two Kinds of Houston Law Firms Out There

Only two? Yep, only two. But understanding what those two are will take a bit of research on your part if you happen to have a case worth looking at by a lawyer. So here it goes….

1. The “Small Law Office”

2. The “Big Law Firm”

Whether or not it’s a “firm” or “office” has nothing to do with size, though, but for purposes of differentiating between the two, we’re going to use those terms.

Understanding what these two types of Houston law firms are will help you determine which ones are the ‘good’ ones and which ones are the ‘not-so-good’ ones. Know that.

Furthermore, whether or not to go with a “small law office” or a “big law firm” really only depends on the kind of case. There’s no saying that smaller is better or bigger is better, really. Because the fact is this:

Each Houston Law Firm Type Has Their Own Advantages

We’ll start with the large Houston law firms and what they can do best.

1. Better Teamwork

2. Better Trial Experience

3. Better Technology

4. Better Track Record

That pretty much sums it up.

Houston law firms that have a good stable of lawyers working together typically will accomplish favorable results in any case. For instance:

1. Some Lawyers Can Work as Jury Pickers

2. Some Lawyers Can Work as Writers

3. Some Lawyers Can Work as Cross-Examiners

4. Some Lawyers Can Work as Direct Examiners

5. Some Lawyers Can Deliver Opening Statements

6. Some Lawyers Can Deliver Closing Statements

7. Some Lawyers Can Interview Witnesses

8. Some Lawyers Can Do Research

The list actually goes on and on. There’s a lot that goes into a trial and a case. And without a doubt a team of lawyers help tremendously.

That simply contributes to the fact that large Houston law firms generally have better experience in the courtroom and a better track record, because they tend to get the most clients.

And without a doubt, technology is way up there for how lawyers in these Houston law firms do their work – database filing, smartphone technology, researching online, the whole nine yards.

But What Does That Say About a “Smaller” Houston Law Firm?

Don’t write off these little local offices, though – they’ve got their own set up weapons tailored for certain cases. It goes as follows:

1. Cheaper Rates and Fees

2. Focusing on More Personal Services

3. Tends to Work a Lot Harder on a Case

4. Better Specialization

5. A Local Advantage

There are many perks with a smaller Houston law firm, no doubt. Only for some major exceptions directly related to impressive track records and a general rapport within the annuls of the legal industry, a smaller Houston law firm for the most part charges on the smaller end.

Compared to smaller offices, the larger firms will throw in hefty retainer fees for all the services they can provide. Smaller offices generally have one to three lawyers on staff with maybe a receptionist and legal assistant, and that’s it. These small offices may charge only an hourly rate, plus a contingency fee if there’s a lawsuit settlement involved.

So if a client’s looking for a way to save some money, find the smaller places hidden within the buildings of a main street.

Now because this type of firm is so small, generally the lawyers can actually put a lot more attention on the well-being of the client, especially if it turns out that it’s in the best interest of the client to provide a testimony in court.

This provides a more personal feel for the services of the attorney. Most clients like that. The better the business relationship between client and lawyer, the better the chances of winning the case.

Now it’s a fact, though, that most small firms don’t have as many clients as the larger offices. Why? Too much demand, not enough lawyers to work the cases. This is to be expected, so naturally it’s okay if a small office in Houston only has one or two current clients at a time. They don’t want to get overloaded.

Likewise, this means that they can devote even more attention to every single case that’s on their plate. They generally work harder. They don’t have “teams” of lawyers. One lawyer in a small office might be responsible for every facet, every aspect, of the case –

1. Writing

2. Research

3. Interviews

4. Filing Paperwork

5. Opening Statements

6. Closing Statements

7. Examinations

8. Jury Picking

9. Objections

And to some degree, this provides for the lawyer probably the best possible background for a case – and therefore the best chance of winning it.

The last two advantages couldn't be any clearer: specialization and localization.

There’s no doubt that if you, a client, has a contest to a divorce petition to deal with, it would make sense to find a very local, very specialized firm that specifically handles divorce cases. Nothing else.

Obviously that type of law firm not only specializes in that legal field, but also knows the state laws very well, so no client can go wrong with hiring that kind of lawyer.

Now You Know the Advantages – Now It’s Time to Make a Choice

Of course, only if you have a case that needs legal representation, you need to make a choice. The decision should be easier, though, even in such a big state as Texas.

Just remember what you need to know, and hopefully the case goes well with the right law firm for you.