Just as you must tread carefully when buying an expensive product or service, you must be wary of your choice of lawyer. As a wise shopper, conduct a background-check before hiring one, confirm that they maintain a good standing as a licensed professional, and ask for references, especially if you found them online. Most importantly, try to meet them first, as you can tell a lot about an attorney from their demeanor.

Seeking advice from your lawyer is referred to as a consultation, and it may happen face-to-face, over the phone, or online. When you visit a lawyer, you may be alone or accompanied by friends or family. A common factor among many clients seeking legal services is that they don’t know what to expect. And I understand why.

Lawyers are perceived to be aloof and inaccessible. They’re not understood or trusted and tend to make things look worse by highlighting the client’s weaknesses and problems. A lawyer will explain legal implications, present options, and make recommendations, but the decision of what to do is ultimately the client’s choice.

Lawyers in the UAE are prohibited from promoting legal services, but many unregulated hunters don’t oblige, whether by making direct phone calls or posting ads on social media, and unfortunately, many clients fall for the foul play. This is no small problem – it’s one of the key risks identified by regulators, but the means of addressing this issue aren’t that simple. I’ve personally had many clients who had previously lost at court because of either being given wrong advice, not having the right lawyer for the case, or not having the lawyer show up on the day of the hearing.

Getting the right lawyer and legal counsel may be a challenge because it’s so easy to get unsolicited advice from virtually anyone you encounter. But whatever you do, take it with a pinch of salt. Rely on friends and family members for emotional support during the process, not on legal support. Look to your attorney for the heavy lifting.

Tips on how to find the right lawyer:

• Word of mouth is key
• Check the lawyer’s area of practice to see if it’s what you need
• Look them up on the internet, as reviews matter
• If you’re in the UAE, ask the attorneys to share their registration with the Dubai Legal Affairs Department, DIFC Courts, RAK Courts, ADJD, ADGM and Ministry of Justice
• For legal consultants, check the ranking of the law firms and partners
  

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  Photography by Adel Rashid; Diana Wears Abaya by Azzalia