Street Law: A Course in Practical Law

Chapter 6: Lawyers

Cases and Resources

When Do You Need a Lawyer?
How Do You Find a Lawyer?
Working With Your Lawyer

When Do You Need a Lawyer?
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association (ABA) has a referral site that can connect you with someone in your area to help you determine whether or not you need a lawyer. If you do need a lawyer, the ABA can also assist you in finding a lawyer or an agency to help.

Legal Help Checklist
This site is meant to help you decide whether you need a lawyer. Read through this information and determine what situations in the future may trigger your need for legal advice.

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How Do You Find a Lawyer?
Referral Services
If you find that you need a lawyer, you may want to use a legal referral service to find the best lawyer for your situation. The American Bar Association and Martindale-Hubbell Law Library provide such referral services.

Bates v. State Bar of Arizona
Read the Supreme Court's opinion in the case of Bates v. State Bar of Arizona that is mentioned in your textbook. You may also browse a short description of the case.

Comparing Advertisements for Lawyers
Compare and contrast the advertisements of two lawyers, one from Pennsylvania and the other from California. What are the lawyers' areas of expertise? What are the differences between the advertisements? Is one more effective than the other? Do the ads provide disclaimers, reminding you that the advertisements are not legal advice? What promises of an outcome, if any, are made in the ads?

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Working With Your Lawyer
A Good Attorney
When a client does not know what to look for in a lawyer or what to expect from legal service, the client may become dissatisfied with his or her attorney. Learn more about how a good attorney conducts himself or herself and what you should expect from your attorney.

Professional Responsibility
Lawyers are bound to a certain code of ethics. Each state has its own code of ethics that closely resembles the model created by the American Bar Association (ABA). Read about the professional responsibility issues the ABA addresses and what types of rules lawyers must follow in their practices to avoid disciplinary measures.

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