When many people think of attorneys, they think of trials, juries, judges and the courtroom. Lawyers, unless they specialize as trial attorneys, spend very little time inside the courthouse walls. They have a lot of other functions. Now granted, they should be prepared to go to court if your case warrants it, but there are things that you need legal counsel for that do not involve going to an actual trial.
They Can Write Letters
Most people and businesses do not want to go to court, particularly if they are unsure of the outcome. In many civil cases, the whole dispute can be handled by a letter. Some of the common letters are: cease and desist, letters of intent and other threatening messages. Not only do lawyers understand legalese, but they also can use it to keep you out of the courtroom.
For example, your neighbor decides that they are going to harass you over something constantly. You can get an attorney or paralegal to write a cease and desist letter explaining what will happen if they do not stop. This is particularly helpful when you do not want to go to court, but you want something to change. Many times a well-placed letter solves the problem without any further action.
They Can Mediate
Mediation is a simple way to solve a dispute between two parties. Trials are expensive and time-consuming and mediation is an excellent solution. Legal professionals work as facilitators in this instance. A mediator helps the parties to reach a compromise on the problem. The lawyers then draft the agreement without ever having to set foot in a courtroom.
They Can Assist In Arbitration
Arbitration is a bit different than mediation, although they are very similar. During mediation, the agreement is between the two parties, and the mediator just assists. During the arbitration, the arbitrator makes the decision, and it is binding to the parties involved.
They Are Great With Networking
Attorneys work with many other professions during the course of doing business. They can help you find almost any expert in almost any field since they constantly network with experts themselves. They often come into contact with other specialty lawyers or others that can help you get a job done.
They Can Help Advise You
One of the best reasons to have legal counsel that doesn’t involve a court case is that they know the law and act as advisors when you have a business or personal question. A real estate attorney knows the real estate rules and regulations an estate lawyer can help you plan your will. Many legal professionals offer their clients advice on the legalities of what they can and cannot do. There are even tax law professionals who can help you if you have a business or personal tax problem. They often can point out ways to avoid breaking the law or expensive litigation.
Despite all of the lawyer jokes out there, most attorneys are usually very good at what they do. Part of their function is to keep you from having to go to court.
