Sometimes an advertisement for a lawyer may seem appealing. You may think you need to go far outside your town or county to find a lawyer that fits your criteria. However, you should always first look to your local lawyers. They have many advantages that other lawyer will lack.
Local Familiarity
Local lawyers are familiar with the local courts. Consider what that actually means.
. They know the local judges and their temperaments
. They know the other local lawyers, who they’re likely going up against
Each one of those things comes with a tremendous amount of additional benefits.
For example, a local lawyer that has practiced in the area for some time will know how a local judge traditionally decides specific types of cases. The lawyer will also know what kinds of deals the crown prosecutor usually offers.
In fact, the local lawyer may have spent so much time around these court officials and other lawyers that he or she has an easy rapport with them. All of these things can help you no matter what kind of case you have.
Local Law Interpretation
Most importantly, a local lawyer will know how the law is interpreted in your area. Many people forget the law is often open to a large amount of interpretation. Different provinces handle the very same laws in wildly different ways. That variance goes beyond province to the municipal level as well.
A misdemeanor one town over from you may receive a small fine. In your own town, it may receive a day or two in jail, a fine, and community service as well. A local lawyer will know this before you ever step foot in the court.
Start Your Search Locally
A local lawyer is an asset that can do a lot more for you than most other lawyers. Even if they come at a slightly higher price than you expected, keep these points in mind.
That familiarity with the local judicial system alone is worth quite a bit. Add in years of practice in the same courts and in the same communities, and you’ll see that some added expense is well worth it.
With all that said, you should still practice diligence when choosing your lawyer. You have to look for longevity, a winning track record, and professionalism. Locality does not guarantee all of those things, but that does not mean you cannot find it all among your local lawyers.
