Famous Lawyers and
Top Rated Famous Attorneys

What is a Lawyer?

A lawyer, also called an attorney at law or an attorney, is a licensed professional who practices law in one or more states. The term “practicing law” includes providing legal advice to clients and representing clients in a court of law.

Some attorneys will practice in many different areas of law, while others may specialize in only one area or a couple of areas. Lawyers can operate a solo practice, practice with a partner, or operate in a group, called a law firm.

In order to become a lawyer, an individual is required to finish law school and pass a state bar examination in the state in which they will be practicing. Every state has its own bar association for the lawyers in that state.

A lawyer must be licensed in every state in which they practice. There are some states that have cross-licensing programs.

Lawyers in the United States are required to pass a background check as well as a professional responsibility test before being licensed to practice law.

What is a Famous Lawyer?

A famous lawyer is a lawyer who is known by many individuals. Examples of some of the most famous lawyers in the United States include:

• Woodrow Wilson;
• Andrew Jackson;
• Richard Nixon; and
• Abraham Lincoln.

A lawyer may be famous in their state or town or they may be famous across the country. A famous lawyer may have high-profile clients and may have more clients than other attorneys due to their notoriety.

It is important to note that simply because a lawyer is famous does not mean that they will necessarily be a good fit for every individual’s case. It is also important to note that a famous lawyer will likely charge a higher rate than a lesser-known lawyer, which will be further discussed below.

How Do I Know if I Need a Lawyer?

It is important for an individual to determine their issue before deciding if they need a lawyer. There are certain types of cases where a lawyer is very important, such as:

• Criminal charges;
• Being served with a lawsuit; or
• Needing a divorce.

It is also important to be aware that an individual can consult with an attorney simply for advice or gaining an understanding of applicable laws and possible outcomes of their issue. The advice of an attorney can help an individual understand the complex rules that govern business negotiations, adoptions, estate planning, and other areas of law.

Having a lawyer can help an individual avoid situations which may later result in emotional and financial hardship. One way to help determine if an individual needs a lawyer and what type of lawyer they may need is to present their case for free at LegalMatch.

How Do I Find the Right Lawyer for My Case?

There are many ways an individual can go about searching for an attorney, including:

• Asking family and friends for references;
• Using the services of an attorney they already know;
• Searching online for attorneys in their area;
• Calling the state bar in their state; and
• Using referral services.

Although asking the opinions of other individuals may be a helpful place to start, in many cases, an individual will not be exactly sure what area of law their case will actually involve. One simple way to find the right lawyer is to use the services of LegalMatch.

Using LegalMatch, an individual can submit their legal issue for free in as little as 15 minutes. Within 24 hours, they will receive responses from lawyers who work in the state and in the area of law their case involves.

The individual will also receive fee information, background information, and reviews on each matched attorney. The individual can then select the attorney they believe best suits their needs and budget and schedule a consultation.

In many cases, the initial consultation between the attorney and the potential client is provided free of charge. This is a time to determine whether the lawyer will be a good fit for the individual’s case.

It is also important to note that an individual can, and should, consider more than one lawyer. An individual may also have multiple consultations prior to determining who is the best fit to represent them.

How Do Lawyers Get Paid?

There are several different ways lawyers can charge a fee, depending on the type of case they are handling, including:

• Hourly fees: Hourly fees are the most common type of fee structure, used in both criminal and civil cases. The lawyer will charge based on the amount of hours they work on the case;
  • The number of hours may vary greatly depending on the nature of the issue;
• Flat fees: Flat fees are overall charges that are paid up front for handling the entire case. They may be used in more predictable types of cases, such as drafting a will;
  • It is important for an individual to ask exactly what services are covered by the flat fee;
• Retainer fees: Retainer fees are advanced payments, similar to down payments, used then the attorney charges an hourly rate. A client will provide a payment up front and the lawyer will deduct their fees as services are rendered;
  • If there is any amount remaining at the end of the case, it will generally be refunded to the client;
• Statutory fees: Statutory fees are fixed fees that are set by law or by statute. In some cases, the court must approve the fee; and
• Contingency fees: Contingency fees mean that the lawyer will not charge an amount up front and will instead earn a percentage of the judgment or settlement, if awarded. The lawyer getting paid is contingent upon, or depends upon, winning the case.

Is it Better to Hire an Attorney at a Lower Hourly Rate or a Higher Hourly Rate?

As noted above, if a lawyer is more well-known, or famous, in an area, they will likely charge a higher hourly rate. Whether to hire a lawyer who bills at a higher hourly rate or a lower hourly rate is an important decision.

It is important for an individual to remember that every type of legal issue is unique. Some issues are more complex and difficult than others.

In certain situations, it may be better to hire an attorney who charges at a higher hourly rate and who has more experience than to choose an attorney who bills at a lower hourly rate and has less experience.

Every attorney, no matter what state they practice in, is required to attend law school and to pass a bar exam in order to be licensed to practice law. In other words, every lawyer has the same basic education.

Some lawyers, however, may specialize or may have extra training in specific areas of law, which may be helpful if an individual has an important issue to resolve. There are numerous factors which determine a lawyer’s hourly rate, including, but not limited to:

• Experience;
• Reputation;
• Jurisdiction;
• Area of law; and
• Type of case.

Expertise and reputation may have the largest impact on the cost of an attorney’s services. Attorneys who have been practicing longer or work at larger, well-known firms will likely charge more than those who are less experienced or work for smaller businesses.

The location where an attorney practices will also have a great impact on their fees. Lawyers in larger cities will likely charge more than smaller towns.

The area of law and type of case involved will also affect the hourly rate. Certain types of cases, such as patent lawsuits, require an attorney to have additional training and education. An example is passing the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) registration exam in order to be registered as a patent lawyer.

Do I Need a Famous Attorney?

Whether or not you need a famous attorney handling your case will ultimately be your decision. You should feel comfortable with the lawyer you select to help you with your legal issue, both with respect to their personality as well as their fees.

If you have a difficult or complex case, a famous attorney may be well-qualified to handle your issue, as they may have more experience than other attorneys in the area. LegalMatch can help you select the best attorney for your needs.