If you’ve been dismissed from your workplace in an unfair manner, you may be able to gain compensation for your losses from your former employer. This can be the case when you’ve lost your job because of discrimination due to your race, gender, religion, or disability, or when your employer has violated your contract. In such cases, you should find attorneys for wrongful termination in the local Jackson County, Missouri area.
By hiring a professional to help you fight your case, you can make sure you gain the compensation you need to make up for your loss. Sometimes, you might also want to fight to regain your job, and your lawyer can help you with this, too.
Finding Attorneys for Wrongful Termination
Because most law firms have an extensive online presence, you won’t have any trouble finding law firms online. But with such a wealth of choice available, how do you know which lawyer to choose? Fortunately, there are several easy steps you can go through to find a great professional who will suit your situation. Read on to find out how you can search for lawyers and identify the best one for you.
Search for Local Jackson County, Missouri Lawyers Online
When faced with a wrongful termination, you will feel frustrated, let down, and possibly scared about the future. It’s important that you get help in such a situation, as it can quickly become overwhelming. Start by searching for attorneys who specialize in wrongful termination in your local area. Remember that there are federal but also local laws that regulate this field, so someone with knowledge specific to Missouri will be key.
By searching on Google or another search engine, you should be able to find several good candidates. Check where their offices are located and eliminate any who live too far away because you will likely be spending a significant amount of time at your lawyer’s office. They should be easily accessible to you, so a central location, such as in downtown Kansas City, is key.
Check the Biography
Next, you should have a look at the biographies of the attorneys working at the firms. Find out what qualifications they have, where they have worked before, and what their track record is. Often, it’s a good idea to work with firms that employ several different lawyers, which can make it easier for you to find the perfect fit.
As mentioned, you should hire someone who has extensive knowledge of your local area, so this will be a key thing to look out for. How long has the law firm been around, and do the individual lawyers have several years of experience in Missouri? Will they know the intricacies of the local employment laws? If so, you may have found a firm that will be able to help you out.
Find Out More about the Lawyer’s Reputation
In addition to great qualifications and extensive experience, an attorney should also be well respected in their field. When checking the biography and the law firm’s website, see if you can find any references to professional organizations. For example, a lawyer who was appointed to the Executive Committee of The Missouri Association of Trial Lawyers is likely to be well respected by their peers.
When clicking through the website, look out for testimonials from previous clients. People who have worked with the lawyers in question are the best source of information because they have been in your shoes before, and they have the experience with the law firm that you lack. If all of the reviews are positive and the clients mention good communication, a favorable result, or a pleasant experience, the attorneys are likely to be reputable.
Check the Specialization
It goes without saying that you want to avoid hiring someone who isn’t qualified to deal with your situation. No matter how good a lawyer is, they have to have experience in employment and wrongful termination law to be able to help you competently. For this reason, you will have to look at the ‘Results’ page to see whether there are any cases similar to yours.
Getting in Touch with Your Lawyer
Once you’ve taken experience, reputation, and specialization into consideration, you will have a shortlist of potential attorneys for wrongful termination in the Jackson County, Missouri area. You might also have ended up with one firm that fits your criteria better than the others.
Now, it’s time to get in touch with the professionals to find out more about how they can help you and whether they are the best fit possible. By speaking with them before making a final decision, you can evaluate their communication style and whether their skills fit your current needs.
Phone or Email Communication
The first time you get in touch with your law firm will likely be over the phone or via email. Do they respond quickly to any queries you have and are they always friendly when you speak to them? This initial phase is a great time to find out how the firm communicates with their clients and how easy it will be to get in touch with them whenever you need to.
Keep in mind that great lawyers are busy and most likely working on several cases, so they won’t be able to answer you right away every time. However, they should be able to get back to you within a few business days.
Your Initial Consultation
If you’re happy with the way your law firm communicates, it’s time to meet the attorney in person and discuss whether they can take on your case. Pay close attention to the way your lawyer interacts with you. They should be friendly, compassionate, and interested in what you have to say. Choose someone you feel comfortable around and supported by, since you will be spending a lot of time with your lawyer.
Evaluate Your Lawyer’s Skills
As a final check, make sure your lawyer has the required skills to succeed in employment law. Not only do they need to have the knowledge related to your case, but they will need great writing skills because they will have to write detailed reports about your case.
They should also be able to interpret what you say and pick up on all the nuances of your case. Although it’s likely that a reputable, experienced lawyer has all of these skills, it’s best to double-check at your first meeting.
Finding attorneys for wrongful termination in Jackson County, Missouri isn’t hard, especially because most law firms have websites with detailed information about their lawyers. But before you decide to meet with an attorney, you will need to check their biography, reputation, and specialization to make sure they’re a good fit for your case.
You should also communicate with them and attend an initial consultation, so you can get a feel for the professional and their firm. To find out more about how we can help you fight against wrongful termination, get in touch with us at Holman Schiavone. Kirk Holman, Anne Schiavone, and the team specialize in employment law and personal injury cases, so they have a wealth of knowledge about the federal and local laws associated with these areas.
