Ft Lauderdale Lawyer

What is a Ft. Lauderdale lawyer?

A Ft. Lauderdale lawyer is an attorney, barred in the State of Florida, who represents clients in criminal and civil actions in the City of Ft. Lauderdale and the County of Broward, Florida. Florida lawyers practice all areas of litigation. Civil Ft. Lauderdale lawyers practice for plaintiffs and defendants in areas including personal injury, contracts, real estate, landlord/tenant, wills and trusts, corporate law and many others. Criminal Ft. Lauderdale Lawyers focus their practices primarily on defendant’s who have been accused of misdemeanors, felonies, and traffic violations.

Ft. Lauderdale lawyers must be barred in the State of Florida, be in good standing and meet the disciplinary requirements of the Florida Bar Association. In order to be a Ft. Lauderdale lawyer an individual must pass the Florida Bar Exam. The Florida Bar Exam is a two day examination. The first day consists of 3 essay questions and 100 multiple choice questions created by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. Day 2 of the Florida Bar Exam consists of the Multi State Bar Exam, or MBE, a nationwide multiple choice examination administered by the National Bar Association. In addition, an applicant must take the MPRE and get a passing score of 80. The passing rate for the Florida Bar Exam is around 71%.

Reporting Discipline about Ft. Lauderdale Lawyers?

If you have had a problem with your Ft. Lauderdale Lawyer, or you know of illegal or unethical actions taken by a Ft. Lauderdale Lawyer, it is important that you report that matter to the Florida Bar Association. The Florida Bar Association will then review the complain and determine whether to file an action against the lawyer. If the Florida Bar Association finds enough evidence that would warrant the filing of formal charges against the Ft. Lauderdale then it will file a formal grievance against the Ft. Lauderdale lawyer.

If you would like to make a complaint involving a Ft. Lauderdale lawyer then you should notify the Florida Bar Association at 850-561-5600. You may also complete the Florida Bar Inquiry/Complaint From, found on www.Floridabar.org, or write a letter and mail to:

The Florida Bar
651 E. Jefferson St.
Tallahasee, FL 32399-2300

There are no formal requirements for filing a complaint but the complaint must be written and signed by you. Include as much documentation as possible that concerns the illegal, or unethical, actions of the Ft. Lauderdale lawyer. Upon receipt the Florida Bar Association will review the matter and inform you if any action will be commenced.

Why do I need a Ft. Lauderdale lawyer?

Depending on your case you will need a Ft. Lauderdale lawyer. Courts in the Ft. Lauderdale court system have their own rules of procedure that other lawyers, even in other parts of Florida will not be aware of. Ft. Lauderdale lawyers will be knowlegable of the filing deadlines, rules comprising the format of complaints and pleadings, and the particular rules of a specific court.

Where do I find a Ft. Lauderdale lawyer?

Looking for Florida Ft. Lauderdale lawyers can be somewhat overwhelming. When this happens you should take advantage of the Florida Bar Association’s legal referral service. By going to www.floridabar.org you can access the referral service and seek a consultation with a Ft. Lauderdale Lawyer who may be able to give you more information about your case. Ft. Lauderdale Lawyers designated to you through the Florida Bar Association’s referral service will charge you a $25 fee for an initial half hour consultation. After the initial consultation it is up to you and your lawyer to decide upon future representation. The Ft. Lauderdale lawyer is under no obligation to represent you in your case and you are under no obligation to retain the Ft. Lauderdale Lawyer.

Ft. Lauderdale lawyers will charge a different number of fees. In criminal actions your Ft. Lauderdale criminal lawyer will usually charge a flat fee or hourly fee with a retainer involved. A Ft. Lauderdale personal injury lawyer will usually work on a contingency fee basis, while if your case is based on contract you will probably be charged based on an hourly rate.

What if I can’t afford a Ft. Lauderdale lawyer?

If you are in need of Ft. Lauderdale lawyers but you cannot afford representation then you may require the help of legal aide services in Ft. Lauderdale. Ft. Lauderdale lawyers are required to volunteer a number of hours per year for pro bono services. You can look for resources for free legal aid through www.legalaid.org. By clicking on the link to the right you will be directed to the legal aid branch for Broward County. You can also call 954-765-8950. In order to take advantage of legal aide services an individual must have income below 125% of the national poverty level.

What questions should I ask a Ft. Lauderdale Lawyer?

When you are interviewing Ft. Lauderdale Lawyers about possible representation you should have a number of specific questions ready to ask, including:

■ Where did you go to law school?
■ Are you barred in the state of Florida?
■ Have you ever been disciplined by any bar association?
■ How often do you handle cases like mine?
■ Will you be handling my case personally?
■ What do you see as the problem with my case?
■ What do you see as the result of this litigation?
■ Are you familiar with the court procedures and personnel in the filing jurisdiction?
■ How long have you been practicing in Ft. Lauderdale?