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Guide de recrutement · a Lawyer or Attorney

How to Hire a Litigation Attorney

Hire a litigation attorney whose case volume and resolution track record in your dispute type match your situation — commercial, employment, IP, and contract disputes each require specialized litigation experience. Ask for their case resolution breakdown: settled versus tried versus dismissed.

Illustration for how to hire a litigation attorney
James Chae

Rédigé par James Chae — Co-fondateur, Expert Sapiens

Licensed Attorney (JD)Bar-Admitted Professionals

Expertise sur la plateforme : Services juridiques et sélection d'avocats · Révisé juin 2026

Révisé par des avocats vérifiés sur Expert Sapiens
Licensed AttorneysBar Association Members
Fourchette tarifaire typique$300–$600/hr for commercial litigators; contingency arrangements available for some personal injury and employment claims

Comment évaluer un spécialiste

Ask for their trial rate — most litigators settle 90–95% of cases; if your matter is likely to go to trial, find someone with genuine trial experience, not just settlement experience
Confirm experience in the specific court where your matter is filed — federal versus state court, and the specific district or division, have different procedural rules and judicial preferences
Ask who will actually appear for you — at larger firms, partners bring in clients but associates handle hearings; understand the delegation structure before retaining
Get a realistic total cost range for the full matter, not just the hourly rate — commercial litigation commonly runs $50,000–$500,000 depending on complexity and duration
Ask what the strongest argument against your position is — a litigator who cannot articulate the opposing side's best case is not fully prepared

Questions à poser

Posez ces questions lors de toute consultation initiale pour rapidement distinguer les candidats solides des plus faibles.

1.What is your settlement versus trial rate, and given my situation, how do you see this most likely resolving?

Pourquoi c'est important : Settlement rate reveals expectations. An attorney who settles everything is appropriate for most matters; one with genuine trial experience is necessary when the other side knows settlement is your only option.

2.Who will handle day-to-day work on my case, and what is that person's experience level?

Pourquoi c'est important : Delegation is standard at larger firms, but you should know who is responsible for your file, who to contact with questions, and at what point the supervising attorney personally reviews the work.

3.What is your realistic total cost estimate for this matter through resolution?

Pourquoi c'est important : Litigation costs surprise most clients. Upfront calibration of total expected cost — not just hourly rate — allows you to make an informed decision about whether to proceed, settle early, or explore alternatives.

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