How to find a lawyer is a often asked.  However if you are asking the question in New Zealand you should remember that the  “lawyer” is an American term and New Zealand lawyers actually call themselves barristers and solicitors - which is the UK usage. Most people looking or legal advice in New Zealand need a solicitor, while a barrister is the legal counsel who represents the client in court. New Zealand lawyers are usually qualified as both but will normally specialise in one or the other profession and also specialise in the type of law they practice in. Specalist areas of law practice include family law, divorce law, wills and estate law, property law (conveyancing), and criminal law, among others.

When you are trying to find a lawyer you should take the same approach as with engaging any professional, you should be clear as to their fees and costs and what the minimum cost you are up for. You should understand what they can and cannot help you with - a good lawyer will tell you this in the initial consultation. If the matter that you wish to consult a lawyer on is less than trivial you should perhaps choose a lawyer you feel comfortable with. Try to get a recommendation from another professional. For example if you have an account find out which law firm they work with most. This can be a advantage if you have a case which requires cooperation between the two. After all a lawyer is human and too and some will just have a better working relationship with some other professionals than others.

You should also consider how easy it is to get to your lawyer’s offices. Parking for law offices in Lambton Quay or The Terrace can cost a fortune and be difficult. If you live in the Hutt Valley you may wish to find a lawyer in the Hutt. Some lawyers work as part of large firms and have the resourcs of those firms as backup. This can be a great advantage but it may also mean that they charg a little more.

Other solicitors work as so practitioners, out of their own home or maybe shared-office space. They can be more convenient to get to if they are in smaller centres such as Kilbirnie or Johnsonville but they may also have no backup if they go on holiday or get sick. On the other hand they may be cheaper and perhaps less intimidating to deal with than the large Featherston Street law practice where you might feel like you have to be wearing a dark suit just to be allowed into the reception area.

Here at wellington-lawyer.com  we are all about information. We don’t offer legal advice and you should seek qualified help if that’s what you need.