If you want to talk to a lawyer but don’t know any, ask your friends, neighbours, a community leader, or anyone else you trust to suggest a lawyer. Ask friends who have had a similar type of legal problem. It is important to choose the right lawyer for your legal problem. The best references generally are other people who have used that lawyer. You can also look in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory, under “Lawyers”. Lawyers and law firms in your community are listed in alphabetical order.
The Law Society website offers a list of lawyers licensed to practice in New Brunswick. Look under “Lawyer Search” on the navigation bar. You can check a lawyer’s status or search for a lawyer by city.
You do not need to commit to a lawyer after meeting with them. You can see as many lawyers as you like before you hire one. You can ask your lawyer for a consultation before committing to them. During this consultation you will provide the lawyer with details of your situation, and they will inform you what your options are.
During a consultation with a lawyer, you do the talking. Tell your story in your own way. Explain what the problem is and what you are looking for through the legal process.
The lawyer will listen and take notes. Tell your lawyer everything that happened – good and bad! A lawyer needs to know all the facts to advise you properly. Mention if you have made a complaint elsewhere, like the human rights commission.
Lawyer’s typically will charge an hourly rate and ask for a retainer (fee paid in advance to secure the lawyers services). Fees vary with each lawyer, so you should consider speaking to multiple lawyers to discuss their fee structure before your first consultation.
You can also seek the advice of a lawyer without committing to them to represent you in your legal manner. A good way to save money in the process of finding the right lawyer for you is to prepare what you would like to discuss ahead of time.
You may find our publication, You and Your Lawyer helpful for finding the right lawyer to fit your legal issue.