What Should You Look at When Hiring an Employment Lawyer

The law can be complicated, especially when it comes to employment. In many cases, the rules and regulations surrounding hiring and firing in the workplace are not only convoluted but also in direct opposition to your goals as an employer or employee. Because of this, hiring an employment lawyer can be one of the best decisions you ever make.

Here are some quick tips to help you get started and get the best employment lawyer Toronto possible to handle your case!

Reputation

It’s also important to check a lawyer’s reputation. Any worthy lawyer will have a thriving website and plenty of positive reviews on Yelp and Google Reviews. The more experience they have and how many successful cases they have won for clients.

Experience

Does your employment lawyer have experience handling cases similar to yours? For example, if you have a disability discrimination claim, you’ll want to hire someone who has worked on other disability discrimination cases. The more experience a lawyer has in your specialty area, the better your chances of getting great results.

Specialization

A lawyer’s specialization can make a big difference in your case. For example, if your employer discriminates against you, you’ll want to hire a specialist with experience with discrimination cases. The same goes for any other type of employment-related case.

Office Location

If you live in a small town, you may want to hire someone located in that city. The lawyer’s office should be located close enough to your business that they can make it there and back without difficulty. If you are hiring a lawyer out of town, make sure they have an office nearby that will handle any hearings or trials if needed. It is especially important if your trial would be a multi-day affair.

Cost

In most cases, you’ll want to start with a lawyer who charges hourly. The cost will depend on where you live, how long your case takes, and whether your case is considered routine or not. If you’re charged by an hour, you could spend more than $100 per hour for a top employment lawyer. But because lawyers can often bill $300 to $500 per hour, that rate can also add up quickly.

Communication Skills

An employment lawyer Toronto should be able to communicate effectively and in plain English, not legal jargon. The last thing you want is a lawyer who speaks in a way that doesn’t make sense to you or overwhelms you with details. An experienced attorney will break down your situation and explain your options so that it all makes sense.

Accessibility

An employment lawyer should be easy to access. Find out how you’ll be able to contact your lawyer and how soon they can meet with you if your situation changes suddenly. The more accessible they are, the better. Not all lawyers have 24/7 availability, and if yours doesn’t have regular office hours, it might be challenging to get your questions answered on time.

Bottom line

A labour lawyer Toronto can help you with most employment-related issues, but other legal professionals can also help. For example, if you’re dealing with harassment or discrimination, a civil rights lawyer may be more appropriate. If you’re looking for advice on drafting an employee handbook or want to understand your obligations under wage and hour laws, a labor and employment lawyer might be a better fit.

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