30 June, 2020
When handling a dispute, you always want to opt for the best lawyer available to you. Unfortunately, people living in smaller towns often don't have the luxury of choosing, as all the good lawyers seem to live out of town. If you find yourself in that situation, you might be tempted to hire a lawyer from a different city. While that's absolutely necessary in some cases, a local lawyer is often even better at handling small disputes. Here are some reasons why you should opt for a local lawyer.
Familiarity with local laws and court proceedings
Each state has its own set of laws that might be different from those of other states. It definitely helps to hire a lawyer that's familiar with the laws of your state. There are differences among courts as well, as each one has its own rules and proceedings. There are a lot of little details your lawyer should pay attention to. Hiring a local lawyer definitely helps, as they will be familiar with the quirks of your town. Mast Firm Smithfield Attorneys, for instance, is well-versed in North Carolina’s legal system.
A lawyer from your city will likely have experience and connections already. Even with more experience, an outsider might not be able to put their skills to good use if they don't have a relationship with your town. For example, a local lawyer might know the opposing lawyer, the judges, prosecutors, and clerks. The lawyer will know exactly how to persuade them and what tactics to use to win the case.
Wanting to hire a local lawyer out of pure convenience is entirely valid! Sensitive information is better discussed in person, so you won't need to spend hours on your phone and computer if you can just get in your car and drive to your lawyer's office. You also won't need to spend money traveling to see the lawyer outside of your city, or paying for their travel expenses. As you probably know, lawyers can be as expensive as it is. In short, hiring a local lawyer is very time and cost-efficient.
By hiring a lawyer from your city, you're supporting your local community. Obviously, the lawyer in question spends their money here, so you're indirectly stimulating the local economy. It's not very different from getting coffee from local coffee shops and buying produce at farmers' markets. Supporting small businesses and local businesses is very important. Think of your lawyer as a small business!
Your local lawyer probably already has a reputation in your town, which might be why you hired them in the first place. If they have a good reputation, then you know what to expect. The lawyer will probably want to uphold that reputation and win your case. It will also work in your favor in court, as the lawyer will appear more trustworthy. As a result, the judge and everyone involved in the trial will have more respect toward the lawyer.