National chain restaurants definitely serve a purpose and can provide a great meal to you and your family, but everyone knows that established local restaurants can’t be beaten. In a similar vein, national law firms with thousands of lawyers may get the job done – but can you trust them when your future is at stake? Opting to work with a smaller local law firm represents a wide range of benefits.
What is a Small Law Firm?
It may seem like a simple question, but smaller law firms can still be large operations, complicating the definition. In fact, compared to large firms plastered on billboards with thousands of attorneys, many lawyers would still consider a firm with 20 lawyers to be ‘small.’
In addition, a smaller local law firm is not limited in how well it can perform or how much compensation it can secure for its clients. Given the right circumstances, multi-million dollar settlements are still easily attainable for experienced attorneys running their own smaller firms.
A small law firm is best understood by the general public by the benefits and unique aspects of the firm derived from its smaller size. These benefits commonly include:
Personalized Attention: No one likes being ignored or shuffled off to the next employee, and one benefit of hiring an attorney from a local law firm is the personalized attention you receive. In a smaller firm, the attorneys can foster a close and direct relationship with their clients, often being the ones to meet with clients during their initial consultation. This means that your attorney will have a deep understanding of your situation from the get-go and be able to work to achieve your legal goals as soon as possible. In personal injury and immigration cases, this promptness can make all the difference.
Unlike larger firms, which may rely on standardized approaches due to their high volume of cases, a smaller firm with closer attorney-client relationships can offer a customized strategy designed specifically for your case. If you have concerns that attorneys may take up your case and simply follow a routine to get paid, a smaller firm is a great option.
Responsiveness: Another key advantage of working with a smaller law firm is the immediate communication you’ll enjoy with your attorney. Due to the fact that a smaller firm will often provide a closer relationship, you won’t have to navigate through layers of staff to reach your attorney. With fewer clients to manage, attorneys can devote more time and attention to each case.
When you have an urgent question or need immediate advice, you don’t want to be waiting for days or even weeks to get the help you need. Knowing your attorneys by name and knowing they are on your side allows you to be confident that any concerns can be taken care of before they ruin your case’s chance of success.
Specialized Services: While many lawyers are proficient in various areas of law, most local firms focus on a few specific areas to improve their skills and gain a reputation as a standout attorney in their local area. Even at larger firms, most attorneys work on particular types of cases. However, you can’t always know for certain that everyone involved with your case will be as experienced as attorneys found at specialized firms.
Within each area of law, there are enough complexities to keep any attorney busy. Personal injury lawsuits can involve car accidents, birth injuries, or sexual harassment. Even if an attorney focuses on a few areas of law, like personal injury and immigration, they still handle hundreds or thousands of unique cases over a decades-long career.
If your prospective attorney at a big firm claims to be an expert in every area of law under the sun, it might be an indication that they are spread too thin and unable to dig deep into your case. While vast legal experience is usually an upside, smaller firms with dedicated attorneys usually have targeted experience in the area you need help with most.
Many of these benefits go hand in hand and compound on one another. If your attorney is experienced in their area of law, they are much better equipped to answer questions quickly and get you the help you need. Additionally, because they already know the details of your case, they don’t need to extensively reference case files to find a simple solution to your problem.
Probinksy & Cole would love to learn how our firm can help with your personal injury, workers’ comp, or immigration issue. Our attorneys are experienced and respected in Bradenton, Sarasota, and Brandon, FL, and we are ready to help at a moment’s notice. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.
