Intellectual property includes copyrights, patents, trademarks and trade secrets. Protecting intellectual property often necessitates the expertise of an attorney (IP).

Finding a lawyer is simple, but picking the right one isn’t. People who have never dealt with an attorney have the misconception that all lawyers are equal. Lawyers, like doctors, tend to specialize. For your copyrighted software, you wouldn’t go to a podiatrist, nor a real estate lawyer.

A lawyer’s history and experience are crucial factors to consider, according to Hensley Legal Group Indiana. Depending on the facts of your case, you may need a lawyer who specializes in patent litigation, media transactions, or trademark defense.

Look for a lawyer that is a good fit for you and your case.

What things should you consider before making a choice?

Look for lawyers who belong to bar associations in your state and elsewhere. Bar associations are essentially professional groups for lawyers. These are usually non-profit organizations committed to enabling legal information sharing and professional networking among lawyers. You can join a local, state, or national bar association, the largest of which being the American Bar Association (for example, the Chicago Bar Association).

Almost all bar associations have formed sections or committees for each specialty. Among other fields of practice, these include criminal, bankruptcy, and real estate. Find the “Intellectual Property” committee on your local bar association’s website. On their websites and in their directories, several bar associations list an email address for contacting committee members or the chair.

These are generally good contacts. You should not seek legal advice from the chair, although he or she is obviously linked to the local IP community. A bar organization’s chair is likely to have a vast network of connections who are committed to their own professional development.

Some bar associations, especially the larger ones, offer formal reference services. In addition to checking their activity in and membership in their local bar association, you should also examine their references.

Ask Existing Customers for Referrals

You’d probably start by asking around for bathroom remodelers. If you need a good intellectual property lawyer, ask around.

Imagine a little clothing store embroiled in a trademark dispute. Others in the local fashion or retail industry must know you. Ring them. Ask if they have a trademark legal team. You don’t have to contact a direct competitor. Instead, focus on businesses that are similar but not direct competitors.

Many business entrepreneurs will be willing to network, coach, and connect with you. You may be asked to reciprocate the favor by recommending a reputable accountant or tax professional.

Look up Attorneys on the Internet.

A potential attorney’s website, publications, and internet news articles can reveal a lot about their character and abilities.

Some websites also allow users to search for attorneys by practice area, geography, or name. Clients and other lawyers can see an attorney’s contact information and ratings.

Finding Potential Attorneys

First, make an appointment with a lawyer. Face-to-face encounters are preferred to phone calls when building rapport. Ask the lawyer if the first meeting is free and what documents to bring.

On your initial appointment with the lawyer, be prepared to ask specific questions. Find out what your lawyer thinks about your case and if he or she has handled cases similar to yours before. It’s a poor idea to hire a lawyer who refuses to answer your inquiries or claims to have never handled a case like yours.