Deciding that you need legal representation is difficult. Often the decision is made under unpleasant and stressful circumstances. You must find a representative who is competent in the area of law pertinent to your case, attentive to your needs as an individual, and whose services you can afford.

Finding a Representative

Ideally, a friend or family member could refer you to an attorney they have used and were happy with. The reality is that you may not have a personal recommendation for an attorney who handles federal-sector employment law. State and local bar associations should be able to refer you to an attorney in your area who handles employment law. Telephone directories also carry advertisements for local attorneys. Additionally, there are Internet sites list attorneys in different localities. However you get a name, you must ask specific questions to determine if you are comfortable with a particular attorney.

Contacting a Representative

Your initial contact with an attorney’s office will likely be with a legal secretary or other support staff. Preliminary information is obtained including your name and contact information and a brief description of the nature of your case. You should expect to hear from either the attorney or a member of their staff within a reasonable time, either to set up an initial consultation or to inform you that the attorney is unable to take your case. Questions you should ask before ordering the consultation follow:

• How long has the attorney been in practice?
• How much of the attorney’s caseload involves matters related to federal-sector employment?
• Is the attorney accessible and will you be able to speak to them within a reasonable time if you have concerns about your case?
• What is the cost of the consultation and legal services?

Initial Consultation

The initial consultation is your first opportunity to speak directly to a prospective representative concerning your case. During this face-to-face meeting, you will assess not only whether you are confident with the representative, but also whether this is a person you can trust with your case.

You should expect the attorney to listen and ask questions. Expect him or her to demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the applicable law. You should not expect the attorney to guarantee the outcome of your case. However, counsel should discuss your case in some detail, outlining its strengths and weaknesses and discussing the different options that are available for resolving the problem.

The initial consultation should address billing issues. You should leave with a solid understanding of the rate at which the attorney bills his time. You should know if retainer fees are to be paid up-front.