How to resolve a dispute with a non-lawyer: hire a lawyer
If you use the services of a non-lawyer, and they mess things up, there are options available to help you resolve the problem. You can hire a licensed attorney, you can report the incident to the State's Attorney or the Illinois Attorney General, or you can represent yourself in court.
There are many good reasons to hire an experienced, licensed attorney to represent you. Licensed lawyers have graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and they have passed the rigorous state bar exam, proving that they have the character and fitness to practice law and to represent those who have legal problems. They must also abide by rules to keep their clients' information confidential. They must take mandatory continuing legal education courses.
If you want a lawyer to help you, you can contact the Illinois State Bar Association's lawyer finder service. The service will refer you to a lawyer in your area who has agreed to provide a half-hour consultation for a fee not to exceed $15. All lawyers in this service must be in good standing with the Supreme Court's Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission and must carry malpractice insurance. The service operates Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Call toll free, 1-800-922-8757, or log onto www.isbalawyers.com.
If after that first half-hour you decide to hire the lawyer, you would need to discuss fees. Some lawyers will work for a set fee, others will charge an hourly rate. Some will take cases on a contingent fee basis, which means they will take a percentage of any monetary award that results from the representation. If you agree to a contingent fee arrangement, be sure that you ask to find out whether all expenses involved in the case are included in that arrangement. If not, you will have to pay extra for expert witnesses, court fees, and so forth.
Some lawyers ask clients to pay what is called a retainer. This is a fee that is similar to earnest money in a real estate transaction, in that it establishes a formal agreement between the lawyer and the client. There are many different kinds of retainer fee agreements. Be sure that your lawyer explains this fee and tells you how these fees will be earned.
Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations.
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If you have questions about the application of the law in a particular case, consult your lawyer. The law is constantly changing. Information on this site or any site to which we link does not constitute legal advice.