From Passion to Profession: Steps to Starting Your Own Law Firm

Are you a passionate advocate for justice and seeking to turn your love for the law into a thriving profession? Look no further. Starting your law firm can be an exhilarating journey filled with endless possibilities and incredible rewards. But where do you begin?

In this blog post, we will dive deep into the steps that will transform your passion into a successful business venture. So buckle up, aspiring attorneys – it’s time to unlock the secrets of launching your very own law firm and making an impact in the legal world.

Establish a Legal Entity and Meet Regulatory Requirements

regulations

To operate as a law firm, you must comply with legal and regulatory requirements. Choose an appropriate legal structure, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership (LLP), or professional corporation (PC), based on your needs and circumstances.

Register your firm with the relevant state authorities, obtain any necessary licenses, and ensure that you meet all ethical and professional standards set by your state bar association. For example, when establishing a Gold Coast law firm in Australia, you will need to register your business with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and obtain a Legal Practitioner’s Certificate from the Queensland Law Society.

Define Your Practice Area and Specialization

The first step in starting a law firm is to define your practice area and specialization. Identify the area of law that you are most passionate about and where you have expertise. Whether it’s criminal law, family law, intellectual property, or any other field, specializing in a niche allows you to stand out in a crowded legal market. It’s essential to choose a practice area that aligns with your interests and skills, as this will drive your motivation and expertise.

Create a Comprehensive Business Plan

A well-thought-out business plan is the cornerstone of any successful law firm. Your plan should encompass your firm’s mission and vision, target client demographics, competitive analysis, marketing strategies, and financial projections. Consider factors such as office space, technology, staffing needs, and operating expenses. A clear business plan will serve as your roadmap, guiding you through the various stages of launching and growing your firm.

Secure Funding and Manage Finances

fundingStarting a law firm often requires significant upfront capital for expenses such as office space, legal software, marketing, and initial operating costs. Evaluate your funding options, which may include personal savings, loans, or investments from partners or investors. Develop a budget to track your expenses and revenues and implement efficient financial management practices. Establish a client billing system, set competitive legal fees, and consider hiring an accountant to handle your firm’s finances.

Build a Strong Brand and Marketing Strategy

A successful law firm relies on a strong brand and effective marketing strategies to attract clients. Develop a professional brand identity, including a memorable logo, website, and marketing materials. Invest in online marketing, including search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click advertising, and social media presence to increase your firm’s online visibility. Networking, attending legal conferences, and joining bar …

Top Traits of a Good Lawyer

We all want to ensure that our legal rights are protected, and for this to happen, it is essential to have a lawyer capable of representing us. An effective lawyer should possess certain qualities and characteristics that make them reliable and knowledgeable regarding the law. Here, we will be exploring the top traits of a good lawyer and why these attributes are essential in ensuring success in court cases and other areas within their profession. Keep reading further to find out more about what makes an effective attorney.

Compassionate

One of the most important traits of an attorney is compassionate. This trait is especially essential in divorce proceedings, criminal defense, or any other matter that requires a lawyer’s attention. A compassionate lawyer takes the time to understand their client’s needs and feelings and works towards achieving the best outcomes for them. Furthermore, they understand their client’s emotional state and do their best to alleviate any additional stress they may be feeling. You do not want to be represented by someone who is not sympathetic to your situation, as this can lead to unsatisfactory results. This has actually happened in some cases, leading to clients having to pursue legal action for malpractice.

man

Diligent

Another trait of a good lawyer is diligence. A lawyer should always be on top of all their cases and aware of the details. Their attention to detail ensures they do not make mistakes or overlook critical information. The meticulous nature of an attorney comes into play when researching and preparing papers, as well as during court proceedings. It is essential to find an attorney who is diligent and has good organizational skills. This will help ensure that all tasks are done promptly and that no information is overlooked.

Communicative

ladyLastly, another important trait of a good lawyer is their communication skills. Clear and concise communication between the attorney and their client is key in ensuring that each party understands exactly what is expected from them. This helps to ensure that the best strategies are being implemented and allows for productive conversations between both parties.

Furthermore, effective lawyers should be able to clearly explain complex legal concepts to those without a legal background so they are aware of the proceedings and understand their rights. In fact, some attorneys are even known to use metaphors and analogies to explain difficult topics better. There is no greater testament to an attorney’s communication skills than a satisfied client.

All in all, these are three of the most important traits that an effective lawyer should possess. Compassion, diligence, and clear communication skills will help ensure success in all areas and provide peace of mind for clients and attorneys. It is also essential to be proactive in researching different lawyers and ensuring that they possess these traits for the best results. We hope that you have found this blog post helpful.…

Four Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer

One of the most important decisions you will make as a business owner is to hire a professional and dependable lawyer like lawyers Gold Coast. Whether you need help with intellectual property, employment law, or any other area of law, hiring a lawyer can be invaluable for your company. In this post, we’ll explore four benefits that come with hiring an attorney.

You Get Legal Defense

lawyersChoosing to represent yourself might be the most foolish decision you can make when you’re in court. If you’ve ever watched a television show or movie about the justice system, then you know that it’s not always easy to understand everything that happens in court. The judge and lawyers will be speaking legalese – like “an issue of first impression,” which means something completely different than it sounds. You’re likely to have many questions and, without a lawyer by your side, you might not get the answers you need.

The opposing counsel will be looking for any opportunity to trip you up and make you look foolish in court. A competent lawyer will know what to say and do to protect your best interests.

You Avoid Penalties

Depending on the type of business you own, you could risk penalties if you don’t comply with the law. For example, if you’re a small business owner and you don’t have worker’s compensation insurance, your employees could sue you if they get injured on the job. Or, if you’re caught violating environmental laws, you could face significant fines.

A lawyer can help you understand the law and make sure that you comply with all applicable regulations. If you violate a law, your lawyer can negotiate with the government to get reduced penalties or even dropped charges.

You Get Expertise

When it comes to business, very few people are experts at everything. Even if you know a lot about your industry, there’s no way that you could be an expert on all of the legal issues surrounding small business ownership.

For example, let’s say you own a restaurant and neglect to pay overtime to several employees. Your competitors might have been paying their staff for extra hours for years, and they could use this information to sue you. A lawyer who specializes in employment law will know all of the latest regulations governing overtime pay and be able to help you stay out of trouble.

 

You Get Clarity

callingOne of the biggest benefits of hiring a lawyer is getting clarity. You might have a general idea of what you think the law says, but a lawyer will be able to give you a clear understanding of your rights and obligations. Hiring a lawyer can help you avoid costly legal mistakes, protect your business from penalties, and give you peace of mind knowing that you comply with all applicable laws. If you’re thinking about starting or growing your business, it’s essential to ensure that you have the right legal representation!…

How to Find the Right Lawyer

Many studies have shown that the number of lawsuits being filled increases as the years goes by. Like many other people, you may be in urgent need of a lawyer. Many have found out that law is not as simple as many make it seem. There is the reason why many who choose to represent themselves in court find it hard to win cases, unlike those with lawyers.

Because of the increasing demand for lawyers and the fact that lawyers earn good money, many people are taking a career in law. With the growing number of lawyers, it can be challenging knowing which one is best to represent you in court.

Even though it may be hard to find an ideal lawyer, this article may make it easier for you. The post will mention how you can find a good lawyer.

Their Specialization

manThe first factor you should consider when looking for a lawyer is the type of law they specialize in. The law is not vast to the untrained eye, but this is not the case. Those who need to be represented in court tend to have cases that align with different types of law. Some people may need a wrongful death attorney, while others may need a lawyer specializing in divorce.

Most lawyers tend to only specialize in working on one type of case. With that in mind, you should select a lawyer who represents clients with cases similar to yours. On the other hand, various lawyers do not have a particular specialty. Although these lawyers may be willing to take any case, they may not offer the best services.

 

Their Charges

lawyerAs mentioned earlier in the post, most people choose to be lawyers because of the excellent pay that comes with the job. This is one of the many reasons why many lawyers may charge hefty fees for their services. You should ensure that you consider the amount of money you can spare while hiring a lawyer to represent you. There is no point in hiring a lawyer you will struggle to pay.

Most lawyers will state the amount of money they charge on their websites. The amount of money a lawyer charges will depend on your case’s complexity and the experience level of a lawyer. Although you may prefer a cheap lawyer, those that cost more tend to win more cases than cheap lawyers.

The two factors mentioned above will be essential in helping you choose a lawyer that will help you win your case in a court of law. Other factors will be vital in ensuring you make the right selection besides those mentioned in this article.…

Five Tips on What to Avoid When Filing a Divorce

For people out there who haven’t gone through a divorce yet or a legal split from their spouse, this article can serve you a great deal of help if you make it through to the end. The divorce process is hardly easy or simple, and it could cloud the waters even more with heated arguments that could leave painful words and memories to be indelible in the hearts and minds of the involved parties.

Given the number of emotions involved in the legal split process, both partners would benefit from doing research, such as child support table look-up or family law tips that will help them sort out everything and have the process smooth and professional. This is why we’re going to give you the five tips on what to avoid when filing a divorce:

Avoid Being Impregnated

Unplanned Pregnancy

Being impregnated during a divorce could lead to unfavorable outcomes from the court that could even reject your divorce notion. This is mainly because a child not only requires attention and tender loving care but also financial support, which is why many divorce cases where the mother is pregnant will end up rejected.

Remember to Update Your Will

If you already have a will during your marriage, we strongly advise you to revoke and update it since it could prevent your ex from receiving your wealth and assets, should they be included in your will and something were to happen to you.

Keep it Professional with the Lawyer

Lawyer Sex

It’s easy to be dependent on someone who is always there for you in your hardest times, such as your secretary, assistant, lawyer, or therapist., but it can only make things a lot more complicated, especially if the word gets out to the public, the court could even dismiss or make you lose the case because some states clearly prohibit all sexual activity between a client and their lawyers.

Seek Professional Counselling

Everyone knows that going through a divorce will take an emotional toll on your mental health, which is why it is advised to seek the help of a therapist experienced with handling divorce stresses and anxiety to get you through the process sane and in one piece.

Take Care of Your Kids

Kids

Children’s minds are very delicate and fragile, and we should do our utmost best as their parents to protect them from emotional harm and trauma that could impact their growth. Just because you are going through a split with your spouse doesn’t mean you can neglect your children entirely. You could still make the time to take them to the zoo, pick them up after school, help them with their homework, and have some lovely R & R time with them to show them that your love and care for them will not change, even if you’re no longer together with your spouse.…

Top Three Reasons to Become a Law Student

Many people don’t realize that studying law can get you to places and meet all kinds of important people in your life. Justice will prevail, and like many other law students, you too can prevail in life if you decided to pick up the law book and demonstrate impartiality. Law students have a bright future ahead of them because the world needs more people that can uphold the law and be an important symbol and representation of the legal system. So, without further ado, let’s explore the reasons you should aspire to become a law student:

Many Career Options

Students

Law students have a plethora of career options that they can choose from after they graduate. You won’t have to worry about not landing a job after finishing your undergraduate because lawyers are very high in demand at every part of the globe, albeit more and more people are taking law as their major and law-related professions are opening vacancies. This is because the global economy is ever-changing, and uncertainty can cause people to deviate from upholding the law and commit crimes such as pilfering, tax evasion, or fraud, and that means lawyers are always needed.

High-Paying Salary

Being a lawyer means you get a high-paying salary since you deal with important clients and defend their honor in front of the public. You won’t have to worry about money if you take law as your study interest because the major comes with job security, and it is very lucrative. The median salary of a lawyer is around $137.000 in 2021, and if that doesn’t scream a high-paying job, then we don’t know what else will.

Public Servant Status

Law Movies

Public servant vocations like lawyers and doctors are considered prestigious, and cornerstones of society since many people depend on them for their livelihood. Both lawyers and medical professionals play a vital role in maintaining order in society and helping those in need full of conviction and passion. You can take a look at some of the most famous movies representing public servants and how the public sees them, like The Rainmaker, The Firm, The Devils’ Advocate, and many more. By being a public servant, you will get a higher status in society, and people’s perceptions of you will change for the better.

The Bottom Line

As a law practitioner, you can get very far in life with a stable job that makes banks and be seen in a higher light by the public. But, to get to that position in life, you would have to study law vigorously and have a passion for helping people in need of justice and solving their legal issues astutely. Remember to stay true to your virtues and abide by the law because society depends on you!…

When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal injuries, especially from accidents, can have devastating effects on your life. The experience gets even more frustrating when lawyers from insurance companies begin looking into your case’s viability. Although the accident may not be your fault, insurance companies still use lawyers to evaluate your situation. That is why you need a personal injury lawyer to represent you.

After an accident, there is no specific timeline for you to seek the services of a personal injury lawyer. However, it would be best if you did it immediately.  Their long experience handling a variety of injury cases and commitment to get justice for the injured is proof that they can help you adequately.

If you are confused as to when you should seek a personal injury attorney’s services, here are some of the instances:

When Discussing With Insurance Company

personal injury lawWhen you get a personal injury, most times your property is damaged, and you incur medical bills. These expenses have to be settled by the insurance company or the one at fault, depending on your arrangement. You need a personal injury lawyer to help make fast-track the payment of medical bills and full settlement of the damaged property as agreed in the insurance cover. Lawyers from the insurance firm can frustrate you, and thus you need an experienced legal professional to help you.

When You are Not Sure Who Is at Fault

If you have been involved in an accident, the experience can be traumatic, and sometimes you can have challenges remembering who was at fault. In cases like this, you should consult a lawyer because usually, insurance companies blame you on you when you launch a claim. Having an experienced legal professional on your side will help defend all your rights making sure your terms with the insurance company are honored.

When Fast-Tracking Medical Malpractice Claim

Some state laws require a person to file a medical malpractice claim within a specific time or invalid. This means that time here is of great essence, and you need to seek legal counsel  soonest possible. Medical malpractice is not like accidents, as there is a lot in line. This is a case you cannot handle by yourself as it requires a lot of legal expertise. It would be best to seek legal counsel immediately you realize you are a victim of medical malpractice.…

Why You Should Hire a Criminal Lawyer

Criminal offenses usually attract hefty fines or longer sentences. There are instances when you may have such charges against you, which puts you at high risk or getting such hefty punishments. In specific scenarios, you might be accused falsely and have criminal charges leveled against you. Everyone has a right to fair hearing, and you have to defend yourself before the court, whether guilty or not. You can hire a criminal defense attorney who will be helpful during your hearing.  These are attorneys who are well trained to handle criminal cases.

One thing to consider when choosing a criminal attorney is their level of expertise. An experienced attorney can ensure your hearing is successful. You can judge their expertise level by looking at the period they have been practicing.

legal arrestThe other thing you can consider when hiring a criminal defense lawyer is the number of cases they have won before. One who has won many cases is the best to pick. You can also consider the amount the criminal lawyer you plan to hire is charging for their services. This may vary from one attorney to another. It is good to compare the legal fees to settle for one who is charging reasonably. There are several reasons why you should hire a criminal lawyer if you are slapped with related charges. They include:

Rights Protection

The criminal lawyer you hire will ensure your rights are not violated during the whole hearing process. They will use their knowledge to ensure you are protected all the time.  This is essential for a fair hearing. The jury and other attorneys will not take advantage of your situation to abuse your rights.

criminal lawProper Legal Representation

Representing yourself before the court may prove somewhat difficult in several instances. This is because you lack the knowledge or proper understanding to do so. You can even implicate yourself if you are not careful. A criminal lawyer is the right person to hire because they will ensure you are well represented. They can also negotiate for a lighter sentence or fines.

Legal Advice

It is the other benefit you are going to enjoy when you hire a criminal defense attorney. They will offer necessary legal counsel that may prove beneficial for your hearing. You will know what to say before the court to avoid incriminating yourself. Look for the best criminal defense lawyer for a successful trial.…

How to Buy an Off-Plan Property Safely

Every time you mention buying a property off-the-plan many are skeptical about it for obvious reason. One of the reason might be the fact that the idea is new, and there is no much information about it. This should not be a reason to dismiss the idea. Housing developers have brilliant ideas that make this type of housing a great choice especially if you are looking for new housing ideas. Houses that are constructed off-the-plan make use of creative ideas from the best housing developers in the market.

Reputable developer

Once you decide to buy a house off-the-plan, the most important person at this stage is the developer. You have to make sure that the developer is someone that you can trust to do the job. Before signing that contract, make sure that you do a background check on the developer. This is a good way to know if this is someone you can entrust with your investment.

You can also take this time to check the qualification of the developer, there past work and other projects that they might be currently doing. These are things that are necessary before you choose the right kind of developer.

Read and understand the contract

Buying a property off-the-plan is always based on the contract. It is, therefore, important to make sure that you read the contract and understand it. You can always seek advice from you a local lawyer in case you do not understand the contract well.

In the contract, you will get important information such as timelines of the start and end of the contract and also get information regarding payment of the building project.

Proper payment plan

Payment is always an important aspect if you are planning to purchase a house off-the-plan. Once you identify the site and the developer, the crucial thing is to make sure that you pay the first installment on time.

It is the first installment that will guarantee you that the property is reserved for you. Most of the properties ran out very fast so always make sure that the property is reserved for you.

Determine you source of financing early enough to avoid any inconveniences. Most people assume that because the property will be paid over time, they don’t need any clear financing. Clear financing is always important before buying any property to make sure that you retain your property after paying the full amount.…

Reasons Why You Should Hire a Lawyer

It is true that not every legal issue requires the utilization of an attorney, like battling a speeding ticket, or going to small claims courts. However, in numerous different circumstances, including a legitimate dispute, challenge, or arrangement, you may not wish to risk the dangers of going through it alone without the guidance of an expert legal advisor who can help you out.  The fact that competent legal representation may be expensive, it can surely help you get out of tricky situations, such as lousy divorce, lost employment, or DUI infringement, and many other legal issues you might face. These are the reasons why you need to consider hiring a good lawyer in such cases:

handsSecure Against Lawsuits

As you would figure, having an attorney can help forestall lawsuits. In actuality, in case you’re enlisting a lawyer after you’ve just been sued, it’s probably too late. A decent legal counselor can help reduce the charges, yet they can’t protect you from them completely. Be proactive before any lawsuit happens, get your legalities all together, and consider every contingency.

Alleviate Damages

Your business lawyer can likewise reduce the damages you may face in case of a lawsuit. For instance, if ever that you encounter a personal damage case from a worker or client, a lawyer can help alleviate any damages. For your lawyers to get the best result, it is significant that you tell the truth no matter what. To have a trustworthy lawyer, you need to be an honest client. Even if someone was hurt because of something that you did, your lawyer should know what happened from you, instead of the opposing side to find it.

signAgreement Drafting

Whenever you have to draft or arrange an agreement – regardless of whether with a client, worker, or provider – significantly, you have a legal counselor present to help with any legalities. A contract that hasn’t been endorsed by a legal advisor can rapidly cause issues. It is your job to run and maintain a business, not memorize the principles – and if you attempt to do the agreement yourself, you’ll likely miss a couple of things that could get you in a problematic situation along the way. It is better if you would not risk doing any legal matters without a lawyer present.…

How to Find an Excellent Lawyer for Your Legal Case

A lawyer is an advocate. She should fight on your behalf, using reasonable, ethical, and cost-effective means. You should have an open line of communication with your attorney. After all, there’s a reason why attorneys are also referred to as “counselors.” Great attorneys can be found in high rise office buildings, small firms, solo offices, and in online directories.

With a great attorney being defined in so many ways, what qualities should you look for?

Comfort

The first, and perhaps most important, quality is that you should feel comfortable in your counselor’s presence. A comfortable and open relationship will allow you to share relevant information to your case openly, honestly, and completely. After all, a lawyer can’t fully assist you without knowing all of the pertinent information.

Clear Fee Structure

Another absolutely important characteristic of a good attorney is a clear, honest, and appropriate fee structure. For one, you’ll want to make sure that the price of the attorney is worth the case. Smaller disputes generally don’t warrant hiring the most expensive counsel. In addition, you should ask your attorney if they bill by the hour or if a flat fee arrangement is an option. While some attorneys might advertise a very low flat fee, you’ll also want to inquire as to any additional fees. The advertised price might not include court filing fees or even the cost of printing documents for your case.

The Record

Before you even meet with the attorney, you should search for his or her name on the Internet. Look for online reviews and other comments that may be online regarding the attorney’s services. You should also check with your state’s bar association website to see if any complaints, misconduct charges, or malpractice accusations have been filed against the attorney.

You should also ask the attorney about her experience. Is this her first time handling this type of legal matter? For smaller matters, that might be acceptable and could even save you money. For larger disputes, you might consider a more seasoned (and likely more expensive) attorney.

Communication and Availability

If this is more than a short-term dispute, such as a contentious divorce, you’ll need to stay in contact with this attorney regularly over a few months, if not years. What you want to avoid is the attorney that does not return phone calls or emails in a timely manner. Though your case may be routine for him, it is very important to you and should be treated as such.

One way to test the firm’s communication is to email them questions shortly after your initial visit. Withhold a few questions from the consultation and follow up via email. If it takes days to respond, the firm may just be too busy to handle your matter. On the other hand, if you are impressed with their response time and answers, you may have just found your attorney.

Top Reasons Most Personal Injury Claims Settle

If you have been injured in an accident because of another person’s fault, and you have decided to make a compensation claim, you may feel confident knowing that most of the personal injury cases settle. In this post, you will learn about the top reasons why and how to get started with your personal injury claims.

Insurance Company Settlements

gavel lawIf an insurance company has been involved in an accident claim, settlements are offered nearly every time. That is because most personal injury claims are settled. You should note that insurance companies provide settlements because they have financial resources to pay out remuneration. Ideally, they expect to pay a certain percentage of compensation for liability claims. Also, they can do anything to avoid losing control over the costs. The following are some of the reasons nearly all personal injury cases settle.

Risk Aversion

As noted, most insurance companies provide settlement in an attempt to control financial risk. They like making an offer and control the said amount of the offer. They do not want to risk going to trial where the judge will decide how much a plaintiff should be offered for their suffering and pain.

Protection of Reputation

Another reason the insurance company chooses to provide a settlement is for the sake of their reputation. That is quite important for this modern era of relevant social media platforms that are available to the public. In fact, large companies are interested in protecting their reputation as they have a public profile that they do not want to damage. Damaging their reputation is likely to jeopardize their revenue. By offering a settlement out of court provides the company with an opportunity to negotiate terms that work for both parties.

Avoid Prolonged Trial

Insurance companies choose to settle for the purpose of avoiding protracted trials. In fact, victims cannot get financial relief until you agree upon a settlement. If the trial goes on for many years or months at a time, victims can suffer financially. It is common for plaintiffs to require money to pay for their damages and losses, including medical expenses, hospital bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and more.

Guarantee Triumph

Another reason for plaintiffs choosing settlement offer is for the simple purpose of recognition of whatever they went through. Accepting an offer is a good method of being awarded compensation. You can also consult a lawyer. Most lawyers provide free initial consultations and do not charge lawyer fees.…

Things to Consider When Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in a car accident, it is a good idea to hire a car accident lawyer. When you are injured in the accident, you should require a professional who can represent you in a court of law. Fortunately, when you hire a professional, you can ensure that all the paperwork is accurate and complete. Negotiating with your insurance provider will be quite easier for you. Thus, it is a good idea to hire a reliable best car accident lawyer. The following are tips that can help you to find the right lawyer.

Clear Communication

accident crash treeA professional lawyer understands most of his or her clients. They can sit with you and understand what happened to build a strong case. The lawyer will describe his fees, values, and process. A professional lawyer will answer your questions before leaving the office. If you do not provide a good insight into your case, know that you may have problems along the line. Therefore, hiring them is not a good idea.

Engaged Conversations

If a lawyer is not interested in your case, he or she is not likely to perform well in the courtroom. That means your lawyer may not put adequate effort into winning the case. Therefore, you may not get adequate compensation that you deserve. During the consultation, you can find out whether the lawyer is engaged. Ensure the lawyer provides detailed answers to your questions.

References

It is advisable to ask the lawyer for references. By contacting the past clients, you can find out about the reputation of your car accident attorney. That will offer you confidence that you are dealing with a reliable lawyer. You should avoid a lawyer who does not provide you with credible references.

Organized Workplace

accident hit and runThe truth is that professional accident lawyers have an organized office. That also shows that they are organized. Ensure you check how the staff carries out their work. If you realize that the staff members are going through a large pile of documents when looking for a given document that is a sign that they are not organized. Therefore, you should consider avoiding them.

Experience

The experience of a lawyer carries great importance. Ensure that your lawyer has many years of experience in handling various cases of car accidents. Moreover, they should have a good track record. That means your lawyer should have won most of his or her previous cases.…