How to Find a Lawyer
This page is a guide to finding legal help, not a directory of attorneys. We don't list, rank, or recommend specific lawyers or law firms.
Do you need a lawyer, or can you handle it yourself?
Not every legal task requires an attorney. A small claims case, an uncontested divorce with no children or shared property, or filing a simple document with the court can often be done on your own, particularly with help from a courthouse self-help center or your state courts' own guidance. You should strongly consider hiring a lawyer when:
- The other side already has one
- Money, custody, or your freedom is genuinely at stake
- Deadlines are strict and missing one forfeits your rights
- You're signing a contract or settlement you don't fully understand
- The facts are disputed and the outcome depends on evidence or legal argument
Our practice-area pages — on divorce, personal injury, bankruptcy, criminal law, and landlord-tenant disputes, among others — explain what each process typically involves, which can help you judge how complicated your own situation is.
Where to actually find one
State bar lawyer referral services. Every state bar association runs a referral service that connects you with a licensed attorney in your area who practices in the relevant field, often for a low-cost initial consultation. This is usually the most reliable starting point because every attorney in the referral network is confirmed to be currently licensed. Our state-by-state hub links to each state's bar association and courts.
Legal aid, for low-income cases. If you have a civil matter — housing, family law, public benefits, domestic violence protective orders — and limited income, a Legal Aid organization in your state may take your case for free or handle it through a staffed clinic. Search “legal aid” plus your state or county, or ask your state bar referral service for the nearest office.
Law school legal clinics. Many law schools run clinics where supervised students handle real cases, often in family law, immigration, or tenant rights, at no cost to qualifying clients.
Courthouse self-help centers. Many county courthouses have a self-help center or law library staffed by people (not necessarily attorneys) who can help you fill out forms and understand procedure, even if they can't give you legal advice.
Public defenders, in criminal cases. If you are charged with a crime and cannot afford an attorney, you have a constitutional right to a court-appointed public defender. Tell the court at your first appearance that you cannot afford counsel.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are you licensed in this state, and are you currently in good standing? (You can verify this yourself through the state bar's public attorney lookup.)
- How much experience do you have with cases like mine?
- How do you charge, and what's included in that fee?
- Who will actually work on my case — you, or someone else at the firm?
- What outcome is realistic here, and what are the risks?
- How will we communicate, and how quickly do you typically respond?
How lawyers charge
- Hourly. You're billed for time actually spent on your case, usually against a retainer held in trust. Common in family law, business disputes, and criminal defense.
- Flat fee. One set price for a defined task, such as an uncontested divorce or a simple will. Predictable, but only works for well-defined matters.
- Contingency fee. The attorney takes a percentage of whatever you recover and is paid nothing if you lose. Standard in personal injury cases; you should still expect to owe case costs (filing fees, expert witnesses) even if you don't win.
- Retainer. An upfront payment the attorney draws against as hourly work is performed, refunding any unused balance when the matter closes.
Get the fee arrangement in writing before work begins. Reputable attorneys expect this and most states require it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I actually need a lawyer, or can I handle this myself?
It depends on what's at stake and how contested the matter is. Simple, uncontested situations — an uncontested divorce with no kids or major assets, a small claims case, a straightforward name change — are often manageable without a lawyer, especially with help from a courthouse self-help center. Anything involving custody, significant money, criminal charges, or a dispute the other side is actively fighting is worth at least a consultation, even if you end up handling parts of it yourself.
How much does a consultation cost?
It varies by attorney and by area of law. Many personal injury and some family law attorneys offer a free initial consultation. Others charge a flat fee, often $75–$300, for an initial meeting. Ask when you call, before you book anything.
What's the difference between a retainer and a contingency fee?
A retainer is money paid upfront that the attorney bills against as they do the work, common in family law and criminal defense. A contingency fee means the attorney is paid a percentage of what you recover and gets nothing if you don't win, which is standard in personal injury and most plaintiff-side injury cases.
Can I get a lawyer for free if I can't afford one?
In criminal cases where you face possible jail time, you have a right to a court-appointed public defender if you can't afford an attorney. In civil matters — housing, family law, benefits — free representation isn't guaranteed, but Legal Aid organizations and law school legal clinics take income-qualified cases in many of these areas. Availability and income limits vary by state and by organization.
How do I know if a lawyer is actually licensed and in good standing?
Every state bar association maintains a public attorney lookup where you can search by name and see whether someone is currently licensed, in good standing, and whether they've had public discipline. It takes a few minutes and is worth doing before you hire anyone, no matter how you found them.
This page describes how to find a lawyer; it is not itself legal advice about your situation. See our legal disclaimer for details, and our state hub for jurisdiction-specific resources.