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Greensboro Law Firms

A brief guide to Greensboro law firms

Many different situations may motivate someone to consider obtaining the advice of an attorney. Greensboro law firms vary in size and specialization, but all have the same basic structure. If you need to find a lawyer, here are some general guidelines to keep in mind.

Members of Greensboro law firms

There are two different types of attorneys:

• Transactional lawyers review and create legally binding documentation. 

• Litigation lawyers appear in court to present an argument on behalf of their client.

Greensboro law firms generally employ both kinds of attorneys. The size of each firm can vary greatly, but each one is controlled by a group of partners. These lawyers own shares in the business and divide profits among themselves after salaried employees are paid off. Associates are lawyers who are paid with a fixed salary. Other employees of a Greensboro law firm may include paralegals, who process paperwork under the close supervision of an attorney.

Preventive litigation

Transactional lawyers are commonly used for the purpose of “preventive litigation.” By reviewing or creating legally binding documents, these attorneys help safeguard their clients against the potential threat of future litigation. Many businesses commonly retain the services of a Greensboro law firm to:

• Make sure their workplace is in compliance with all federal and state safety standards

• Review their employee manuals

• Create and file any employee contracts

• Review any contract entered into with another business

Preventive litigation is advisable if you enter into any kind of real estate transaction. A member of a Greensboro law firm can look over:

• Contracts relating to the sale or lease of property

• Mortgage agreements

• Loan agreements

Any transaction in which you make a financial commitment should be reviewed by a Greensboro law firm if you can afford this service.

Criminal law

There are many different types of court systems. Criminal courts hear the cases of people who have been charged with a violation of the law by a government agency or the police. While people who are cited for a minor infraction such as speeding are not entitled to legal advice or a trial by jury, any defendant charged with a misdemeanor or felony is allowed to have legal counsel throughout the criminal court process. If you cannot afford the private services of a Greensboro law firm, the court will appoint an attorney to advise you.

There are many different steps to the criminal court process:

• At an arraignment hearing, the prosecution’s office will formally present the charges against you. During this court appearance, you may be offered a plea bargain in return for an official response of “guilty” or “no contest.” A representative of a Greensboro law firm can help you evaluate whether to accept any such offer and argue that bail, if any, be lessened.

• If your case is not resolved at this point, a court date for your trial will be scheduled. During the pretrial process, both sides will exchange any evidence they plan to present in court on a regular basis. After reviewing the prosecution’s case, Greensboro law firms may discover that legal errors were committed in the process of building a case against you and request that charges be dismissed.

• During your trial, a Greensboro law firm attorney will make an opening statement outlining their defense, cross-examine prosecution witnesses and otherwise work to make the strongest possible case on your behalf.

• If you are found guilty, an attorney will be present during your sentencing hearing for a lesser sentence than called for from the prosecution.

Civil law

In civil court, two private individuals or businesses are in dispute. If you are notified that a complaint has been filed against you, you are not entitled to free legal counsel from Greensboro law firms. You will have to either represent yourself in court in a “pro se” capacity or pay for an attorney’s private services.

There are many reasons civil litigation may be undertaken:

• An injury caused by another person or a defective product
• Medical malpractice
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Workplace sexual harassment
• Violations of an employee’s contract

Most civil lawsuits are resolved before the scheduled court date. Unless specifically instructed by their clients to pursue a court appearance, Greensboro law firms representing both sides will negotiate extensively throughout the pretrial phase to arrive at a mutually acceptable settlement agreement.

Divorce court

The cheapest and easiest to complete divorces are accomplished by two spouses who agree to separate and create a document detailing how they plan to handle such issues as:

• Alimony payments
• Child custody arrangements
• Child support payments
• The non-custodial parent’s visitation rights
• How important medical decisions will be made, and by which parent

If two spouses cannot resolve all their issues independently, they may decide to seek out a neutral third party who can act as a mediator in their discussions. This person may be a non-attorney specialist in the field or a member of a Greensboro law firm.

Finding an attorney

When a situation arises in which you feel you need private legal representation, you should be cautious before deciding to commit to a professional relationship with any attorney. Ask friends, family and co-workers for referrals to Greensboro law firms they have successfully worked with who possess specialized experience with your type of case. Prior to agreeing to an initial consultation with any attorney, examine their disciplinary record online to make sure they are in good legal standing.

To establish a good attorney-client relationship at the outset, arrive at any meeting at a Greensboro law firm with all the documentation that may affect your case. Answer any attorney’s questions in as much detail as possible. During your first meeting, make sure to get a detailed, written estimate of all expenses you are expected to be liable for, as well as a proposed timeline for the resolution of your case.

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