Los 5 consejos imprescindibles para encontrar asesoría jurídica en Colombia
How to Find a Good Lawyer in Colombia
To find a good Medellin lawyer (or one in any other city of Colombia) can seem to be hard work. However, finding the best lawyers in Colombia can be relatively easy if you know what to look for.
Here are some of the considerations you should keep in mind when looking for legal counsel in Colombia. These tips will help you better understand how the legal system works in Colombia so you can make an informed decision.
Tip #1. Do your research
Finding lawyers in Colombia can be easy through an online search—you’ll get tons of options. However, some people call themselves “lawyers” without actually being one. I know it sounds a little weird, but it’s true.
So, how to make sure you are dealing with a true attorney?
In Colombia, licensed lawyers and other professionals must have a “professional card” (in Spanish: “tarjeta profesional”). This is an ID that all licensed Colombian lawyers must have in our country. There’s no shame in asking your lawyer to show you their card. A good lawyer will have no problem with that.
You can also check this information online. Ask your attorney to give you their cedula number (their identification number in Colombia) and go to this official website. Write the number in the “Número de Documento” field (“document number”) and then click “Buscar” (“search”). There, you can find out if the person you are dealing with is licensed to practice law in Colombia.
This practice is not uncommon when looking for legal counsel in Colombia. Claiming to be a lawyer without being one is illegal in our country, so you should not hesitate to verify first.
Tip #2. Check out the area of expertise
Some Colombian lawyers are generalists and take every case that comes their way. Although your case might be an opportunity for them to learn something, for you, this could represent a waste of time and money.
If you are looking for a specific legal service, you should ask your lawyer about their practice areas. If they are not experts in the field you require, they should refer you to someone who is. In some cases, the lawyers will be experienced enough to handle your case even if what you need is not quite their area of expertise. Talk to them freely about this matter.
Tip #3. Ask for references
Ask your lawyer for some recent professional references, preferably related to the focus area that you are looking for. This way, you can make sure that your lawyer has recent experience in the legal matter you need help with. This is important, as the law fluctuates constantly in our country.
Doing this type of research will also allow you to check out the success rate of the attorney in similar cases to yours. You can ask your lawyer directly about these matters and let them tell you about their experience.
Tip #4. Trust your gut
There is the “rational” aspect of choosing a lawyer—which is essential—but there’s also an emotional factor. After all, we are human.
Your lawyer could have tons of degrees, certifications, and experience, but if you don’t feel comfortable with them, it’s better to look for someone else. This is one of the things you can analyze during the first consultation, which some law corporations in Colombia do for free.
Some Colombian lawyers are experts in working with foreigners. You may also want to find someone who is on the same page as you and that understands your legal needs.
It is important to work with someone you can trust, who strives to provide you with solutions and gives you the information that you need. Your lawyer shouldn’t put too much pressure on you, either.
Check out for the expertise and confidence they show during their speech. A sign that you are dealing with a good attorney is that they look for different solutions or approaches to deal with your problem. They should also explain to you everything you need to know.
Last, don’t trust lawyers who guarantee 100% success from the start.
Tip #5. Understand how fees work
Unlike other countries, in Colombia, the practice of charging by the hour is not very common for attorneys. Medellin lawyers, as well as attorneys in other cities, usually work with fixed fees.
In Colombia, Conalbos is the organization that publishes the guidelines for legal fees across the country. If any lawyer deviates too far from these, they are surely taking advantage of you.
After the first consultation—which, again, is free in some law firms—the lawyer should know the amount of work required for your case and how much it costs. If you decide to hire them, you will pay an advance. Sometimes, you may pay the total amount when the case is over.
A Last Piece of Advice
In cities like Medellin, lawyers sometimes have other sources of income, such as referrals.
This can cause a conflict of interest if your lawyer starts recommending products, like real estate. If that’s the case, you should look for another lawyer to look over those products and/ or contracts.
Although there’s nothing wrong with looking for alternative sources of income, this could be a sign that their legal practice is not self-sufficient.
It is also important to make sure that your lawyer is giving you objective legal advice. You should consider all this to make a good decision.
Takeaway
If you are looking for legal counsel in Colombia, you can find great law firms in Bogota, Medellin, Cali, and other cities. Some work nationwide.
Keep these tips in mind. Do your homework to find an expert who knows what they’re doing, but also follow your instinct to make sure that you’ll work with someone who connects with you and your needs.
Remember that if you are looking for an expert ally in Colombia to help you with your legal concerns, at Colombia Law Group, we are here to help. You can schedule a free consultation with a lawyer today.