Legal counseling refers to the professional support of individuals and businesses to protect their rights in legal processes, to prevent legal problems before they arise and to solve them if they arise. Making the right choice when getting legal counseling is of great importance in order to prevent legal problems and financial losses that may arise in the future.
Important points to consider in this process;
1. Consultant’s Area of Specialization
Legal counseling consists of a wide range and various areas of expertise. There are many areas such as Criminal Law, Commercial Law, Labor Law, Family Law, Intellectual Property Law. It is very important to choose a lawyer or law firm with a specialization area suitable for the subject that needs legal consultancy. For example, if there is a problem with commercial contracts, support should be sought from a lawyer specialized in commercial law.
2. Experience of the Consultant
In addition to the area of expertise, the experience of the legal advisor is also of great importance. The success and experience of a lawyer or law firm in similar cases or matters in the past should play an important role in the selection criteria. The questions to be asked in this regard should be clear and specific enough to show the experience of the consultant and to ensure that the person receiving the consultancy is satisfied.
3. Communication and Accessibility
Communication is one of the key elements of success in legal processes. A healthy communication with the legal advisor should be established, questions should be answered quickly and regular information about the process should be provided. An accessible consultant reduces stress and makes the process go faster. Therefore, attention should be paid to the counselor’s communication
4. Ethics and Credibility
The ethical conduct and trustworthiness of the legal advisor is a critical issue that needs to be emphasized. Lawyers have ethical rules and responsibilities that they must abide by while practicing their profession. A consultant who adheres to the principle of confidentiality and works transparently should be preferred.
5. Service Fee and Contract
Remuneration should also be taken into consideration when obtaining legal counseling services. A clear agreement should be made on the fee and the scope of the service should be determined by a written contract. This contract prevents future disputes. It is also important to avoid lawyers and law firms that offer extremely low fees compared to the value of the legal consultancy service. This is an indication of poor service quality.
6. Knowledge of Local Legislation and Current Information
Law has a constantly changing structure. Laws, regulations and judicial decisions may change over time. It is a great advantage for your legal counselor to be familiar with the relevant legislation and to follow current developments. This enables the counselor to provide up-to-date and result-oriented advice.
7. Correct Analysis of Legal Needs
When seeking legal advice, it is important to clearly articulate your needs and for the advisor to analyze them correctly. A comprehensive needs analysis is the first step to reaching the right solutions. For example, if an employment contract is to be prepared, not only the text of the contract, but also the rights and obligations of the parties to the contract should be evaluated in detail and necessary information should be provided by anticipating potential risks.
8. Potential for Long-Term Cooperation
Legal counseling should be seen as a long-term collaboration rather than a one-off service. Especially for companies, working with a legal advisor on an ongoing basis increases the legal compliance of the business and minimizes potential risks. Therefore, it is necessary to assess whether the consultant to be selected is willing to work on a long-term basis and has sufficient capacity.
9. International Competence of the Consultant
Some legal matters may have international dimensions or require recourse to certain International Jurisdictions. In this case, your advisor needs to be familiar with the regulations and practices not only locally but also in the relevant international jurisdiction.
The factors to be considered when seeking legal advice may vary according to both individual and organizational needs. However, choosing the right expert is crucial not only for solving current legal problems, but also for preventing potential risks in the future. Therefore, by conducting a detailed research and taking into account the above criteria, it is necessary to choose the most suitable legal counselor for your needs. The right counseling is the key to both a peaceful life and a safe work environment.
