The lawyer in the United States
The chances that you will use a lawyer in the United States are much higher than in France.
Indeed, the United States is the country where people have resorted to justice for everything and for nothing, making American lawyers more businessmen than lawyers.
French lawyers participate in a public service for the good of all, justice. They wear a dress which distinguishes them and identifies them as auxiliaries of justice, and which is of the same module as that worn by a magistrate. Also because of this conception, the lawyer is not subject to the rules of traders, he cannot form a commercial company or advertise. In theory, all of this exists to ensure that the lawyer fulfills his mission of justice and does not turn into a legal dealer obeying private interests.
In the United States, while walking down the street, you may come across billboards advertising certain lawyers and their firms. These ads promising you large sums of money in compensation for accidents of which you have been the victim. As the law is based on the interpretation of a situation and the precedent set by a decision taken by a judge for a similar case, lawyers are happy to negotiate the damages owed to their clients by using the law at their disposal. advantage, as a businessman would negotiate a big contract.
Surprising avocado fees
Thus, a client may be surprised to realize that his lawyer charges the same rate for his phone calls as a consultation. It’s better not to lie down and have a friendly conversation! You will also find that when you invite him to lunch, his time with you is billed as working hours. In addition, he is the only one to set the number of hours spent on a file, and for a contract, divorce or sale, he can charge you 10, 50 or 100 hours.
Beware of unethical lawyers
Some people do not hesitate to increase the costs, for example by calling you to get your agreement for a derisory amount of legal costs.
In this regard, it helps to know that you can dispute the fees charged if you feel they are too high, and submit the case to the American Bar Association, which is the professional body for lawyers.
Great professionals
Let’s not forget a very positive point ... that while it is a profession very much challenged today in the United States, it continues to produce remarkable professionals, who are among the brightest of American schools and colleges. Legal mentalities in France and America are as different from each other as the legal professions. This is because there are two main types of law in the Western world, civil law and "Common Law".
Legal consultations in the USA
A client may be surprised to find that their lawyer charges the same rate for their phone calls as a consultation. So it’s better not to stretch out. You will also find that when you invite him to lunch, his time with you is billed as working hours. Some people do not hesitate to increase the costs, for example by calling you to get your agreement for a derisory amount of legal costs. In this regard, it helps to know that you can dispute the fees charged if you find them too high, and submit the case to the American Bar Association, which is the professional body of lawyers.
Consultations with a lawyer in the United States are on average much longer and more detailed than in France. This further increases the amount of his fees. A client could sue his lawyer for “malpractice”, for being negligent or imprecise in his legal advice and opinions. This therefore pushes lawyers to ensure that the job is well done by spending more hours there, especially during consultations.
No one is therefore immune from legal action in the United States initiated by another individual. You can find yourself in this situation if you cause bodily harm or property and immaterial damage. It is therefore important that you have health insurance in the USA to which will be added a Repatriation and Civil Liability option. The civil liability option thus allows you to be protected in these cases.
When dealing with American lawyers
It's not that lawyers in France have an excellent image: a SOFRES poll revealed a few years ago that the French ranked their lawyers second to last among professionals they trust. But the perception in the United States is totally different.
The essential difference is that the American lawyer is above all a businessman
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