Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thervo.
How much does a lawyer cost?
A lawyer costs$150 to $400 per hour, depending on their location, field, and experience level. Some lawyers charge a $500 to $5,000 retainer fee, which is essentially a down payment based on their hourly rate. Other lawyers charge a flat fee for basic services, including:
Filing for bankruptcy
Immigration cases
Trademarks or patents
Writing a prenup
An uncontested divorce without a custody arrangement
What does a lawyer do?
A lawyer gives legal advice and completes paperwork on behalf of clients. Lawyers who have passed the bar exam can represent their clients in court and advocate on their behalf. These services save their clients the time and stress it would take to complete legal work on their own.
Specific responsibilities of a lawyer include:
Advising clients
Organizing and filing paperwork
Conducting relevant research
Negotiating settlements
Communicating with clients, witnesses, and colleagues
Does it cost money to ask a lawyer a question?
Most lawyers offer free consultations before taking on your case. This allows you to ask questions and helps them decide how long the case might take and whether you're likely to win. However, once you hire a lawyer, you will be billed for phone calls, questions, and emails.
What education is needed to become a lawyer?
A person must get a bachelor's degree and a juris doctor degree (J.D.) from an accredited law school to become a lawyer. Law school takes 3 years, or 7 years including a bachelor's degree. They must also pass the bar exam in order to represent clients in court.
What's the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?
The terms "lawyer" and "attorney" are usually used interchangeably, but they are technically different. A lawyer is someone who graduated from law school and can give legal advice but may or may not have passed the bar exam.
An attorney is a person who passed the bar exam and is now qualified to represent clients in court. All attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys.
How to I choose a lawyer?
When choosing a lawyer near you, follow these steps:
Decide which type of lawyer you need for your case.
Compare reviews from lawyers on Thervo and Google.
Get 3+ estimates from lawyers near you.
Verify their credentials and whether they've passed the bar exam.
Choose a lawyer who fits your budget and makes you feel comfortable.
Choose a lawyer that's conveniently located if possible.
Get an estimate and contract in writing before any casework begins.
What questions should I ask lawyers?
Ask the following questions to find the best lawyer possible:
How long have you been practicing law?
When did you pass the bar?
Do you give free consultations to potential clients?
Are you able to take on my case now?
What are your rates? Do you charge by the hour or have a retainer fee?
How many cases like mine have you won?
Will you give me a written estimate and contract?
Reviews for Los Angeles lawyers
Recent success stories from people in the Los Angeles area.
R.R.
Thank you so much for your time on Saturday. I know, it’s your job . . . but you made me feel very comfortable, in a very uncomfortable situation. The relief I feel is indescribable – I’ve been juggling so much trying to make ends meet the past few years, it had just worn me down. I never thought of taking this course of action, until my father-in-law suggested it. And to know my creditors will get paid eventually is so much better than just walking away from it all.
Winterbotham Parham Teeple, a pc
Milan M.
Very professional and easy to work with
NHT Law Group
Peter H.
I’ve worked with Jeffrey for many years now. He’s helped me with my businesses, always given me excellent contacts, and twice now he’s gotten out of very tough and unforeseen legal situations.
One time, where luckily I decided to call Jeffrey in a situation I might have thought ok to handle on my own. It turned out that without his legal counsel I’d have been subject to a very expensive verdict and even possible jail time but instead, directly because of the time I spent on the phone with him I got off scot-free.
He has always come through for me, no matter the demands on his time (or patients), including highly inconveniencing himself and pulling off a last-minute miracle for me very recently.
Jeffrey Morris is a highly loyal, fiercely protective, and brilliantly minded legal council who’s phone number everyone should have.
Law Office J. Jeffrey Morris
Martha Catalina H.
Honest, reliable, reasonable and extremely professional.
Sánchez Siqueiros Law
Ruel M.
Effective, timely and pleasant
Katje Law Group, APC
R. C.
As in-house litigation counsel for an Illinois company with a national presence, John’s ability to crystallize the legal issues unique to California and our case were indispensable and critical to achieving a favorable result for all parties involved. It was a pleasure working with John and his team. Whenever I have an issue in California, he will be the first attorney I call for advice.
Delman Vukmanovic LLP
Brit K.
BC TAX PREP LLC
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