A brief guide to Reno law firms
Entering into a professional relationship with an attorney can be an expensive and intimidating process. Some lawyers operate as “solo practitioners,” but many practice as part of a Reno law firm. These businesses generally specialize in particular areas of the law. Reno law firms come in many different sizes and offer many different services. Here are some things to keep in mind when figuring out what kind of legal assistance you need.
How Reno law firms work
There are no limits to how big or small a legal practice may be. In all cases, Reno law firms are owned by partners. These are attorneys who divide the profits after paying their salaried employees. Lawyers who work for a fixed salary are known as associates.
Reno law firms generally employ two types of attorneys:
• Litigation lawyers review and create legally binding documents.
• Transactional lawyers present arguments in the courtroom on a client’s behalf.
Depending on the size of the Reno law firm, there may be additional employees on staff. Commonly, large firms employ paralegals to process paperwork and librarians who maintain company records.
Preventive litigation
Retaining the services of a litigation lawyer is a routine expense for many businesses. Reno law firms can help employers:
• Make sure their workplace is compliance with all relevant safety standards
• Create employee contracts
• Review tax paperwork
• Draft contracts with other businesses
• Merge with another business
These kinds of services are known as “preventive litigation.” The purpose of these precautions to help ensure the business owner does not accidentally expose themselves to the threat of a lawsuit by signing a document whose ramifications they do not understand. Consulting a Reno law firm is also advisable if you are involved in any kind of real estate transaction.
Bankruptcy
Filing for bankruptcy is a serious step to take. Because the process is highly complicated and does not allow any room for error, it is advisable to consult with a Reno law firm if you plan on taking this step. An attorney can help you ensure that you have taken every reasonable action to avoid filing for bankruptcy and that your paperwork is completed correctly.
Criminal court
When the police or a government agency file charges against a person, there are three different kinds of offenses that can lead to a court date:
• Infractions are minor violations of the law, such as speeding.
• Misdemeanors are offenses such as aggravated assault.
• Felonies are very serious crimes such as murder or rape.
Infractions do not entitle the defendant to a trial by jury or legal representation. However, misdemeanors and felonies can result in severe financial penalties or jail time. If you cannot afford the private services of a Reno law firm when you are charged with this kind of offense, a judge will appoint an attorney to represent you for free.
Regardless of the charge, the criminal process follows the same steps in every instance:
• At an arraignment hearing, the prosecution will present the charges in formal detail. Defendants may be offered a plea bargain if they respond “guilty” or “no contest.” A representative of a Reno law firm can help you decide whether it is in your best interests to accept any plea bargain you are offered. If bail has been set, an attorney will try to have the amount lessened.
• Throughout the pretrial process, both sides are required to regularly exchange any evidence they plan to introduce during the trial. During this “discovery” phase, Reno law firms may discover that the evidence against you has been acquired in ways that violate the law. If so, it may be possible to have the charges against you dismissed.
• In the courtroom, a Reno law firm litigation attorney will present the strongest possible case in your defense.
• If you are found guilty, an attorney will attend your sentencing hearing to present any mitigating evidence justifying a less severe penalty than called for by the prosecution.
Civil court
When two private parties are involved in a dispute that must be resolved by litigation, it is rare that they will actually appear in court. The goal of a civil lawsuit is generally to receive financial compensation for such issues as:
• An injury caused by another person’s actions or a defective product
• Medical malpractice
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Violations of an employee contract
Reno law firms representing both parties will conduct extensive negotiations throughout the pretrial process to attempt to create a mutually acceptable financial settlement. Unlike criminal court, anyone who is facing a civil lawsuit is not entitled to free legal counsel. It will be necessary to either consult a Reno law firm or to represent yourself in court.
Finding an attorney
When deciding to get professional legal help, it is important to consider how much you can afford to pay and what you hope to get from the legal process. After you have clarified your goals, ask friends, family and co-workers if they can refer you to a Reno law firm that has specialized experience with your particular problem. Before scheduling an initial consultation, make sure any attorney you agree to meet with is in good legal standing and has not committed any ethical violations.
Arrive prepared to a meeting at any Reno law firm with all documents that are relevant to your case. Attorneys will have many questions to ask before they can issue a helpful estimation of the strengths and weaknesses of your case. Be skeptical of any Reno law firms which seem to make unrealistic promises about what you can expect to achieve.
During this initial consultation, be sure to obtain a detailed, written estimate of all expenses you can expect to incur. Reno law firms must explain any charges you do not understand to your satisfaction. Taking this step at the outset will lay the groundwork for an effective attorney-client relationship.
