General Attorney vs Trial Attorney: What’s the Difference?

Not all attorneys are the same. You might already understand that some types of attorneys practice law differently from others. For example, district attorneys prosecute those accused of crimes in criminal cases while defense lawyers represent them.

However, it’s also important to understand the difference between general and trial lawyers. This is particularly true if you have a personal injury case or similar matter that may go to trial. Hiring a lawyer with courtroom experience could provide you with a significant advantage during settlement negotiations.

At Munley Law, we’d be happy to discuss our trial experience when reviewing your personal injury case. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Why a Trial Attorney Makes a Difference in Personal Injury Cases

A trial attorney can play a significant role in the outcome of your case should you ever file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. That’s because trial lawyers have experience building cases that can be won in court.

This can influence how a case plays out. A trial lawyer may still focus on implementing the best negotiation strategy to settle disputes out of court. However, an insurance company adjuster or other such party may be more willing to negotiate if they know a lawyer has experience representing clients at the trial level.

A trial attorney may also have a more robust track record than a general attorney. A general attorney who tends to settle disputes out of court may only be able to point to a track record of settlements when explaining why they’re qualified to represent a particular client. A trial lawyer, on the other hand, can demonstrate they’re able to secure both settlements and jury verdicts for their clients.

Do you think you have a case that might end up going to trial? Contact Munley Law’s trial attorneys for a free case evaluation and learn how our courtroom experience can maximize your compensation.

Core Skills That Set Trial Attorneys Apart

Trial lawyers bring specialized skills that set them apart from general practitioners. Their expertise centers on courtroom preparation and presentation, rather than just case research and settlement negotiations.

A skilled trial lawyer excels at selecting jurors who will fairly evaluate the evidence, presenting complex information clearly and persuasively to the jury, and effectively working with expert witnesses – both managing their own witnesses and cross-examining opposing ones.

While many attorneys can gather evidence and negotiate settlements, trial lawyers specifically prepare each case as if it will go before a jury, ensuring they’re ready for full litigation rather than just hoping for a settlement.

Do you need help with legal matters requiring the expertise of a trial lawyer? Schedule a consultation with our trial attorneys to discuss your case strategy.

Understanding General Practice Attorneys

To understand the strengths of a trial attorney, it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with some of the limitations of general attorneys. Consider the following points:

• General attorneys only provide general assistance: There are instances when it makes sense to hire a general or regular lawyer. For example, this type of lawyer could provide legal advice in circumstances where the stakes are relatively low. They might also help with other basic tasks, like preparing and reviewing legal documents. However, these are the types of tasks that virtually anyone who has graduated from law school can perform.
• General attorneys may not focus on specific areas of the law: Some types of attorneys, like defense lawyers, specifically handle criminal cases. Others may handle personal injury cases, medical malpractice cases, and other such types of cases. As is the case when hiring any type of professional, hiring someone who specifically works with clients like you can make a big difference in the quality of service you receive.

General attorneys often don’t focus on specific areas of the law. They can offer assistance when you need basic legal help, but they can’t build a case for trial without the necessary experience.

Not sure what type of attorney to hire? Speak with our legal team to determine the best type of attorney for your specific case.

When Do You Need a Trial Attorney?

Having representation from a trial attorney can be particularly helpful in complex cases such as the following:

• Personal injury cases involving serious injuries
• Liability claims in which there is a dispute regarding who may be liable
• Cases involving multiple parties
• Medical malpractice cases and other cases potentially involving complex medical evidence
• Cases in which the insurance company’s settlement offers are unreasonably low
• Cases likely to exceed policy limits, as you may have to go to trial if an insurance policy can’t offer all the compensation you need

Don’t risk undervaluing your claim – speak with our trial attorneys to understand if your case needs courtroom expertise.

What to Look for in a Trial Attorney

Choosing the right trial attorney for your case is easier when you account for these factors:

• Past trial experience (specifically prioritizing the number of cases tried, as a lawyer could essentially claim they have trial experience if they’ve represented just one client whose case went to trial)
• Success rate in verdicts, as well as in out-of-court settlements
• Resources to take cases to trial, as trial preparation can be an involved and lengthy process
• Board certifications
• Recognition by legal organizations
• Experience with similar cases, which a trial attorney can discuss with you in greater detail during a free consultation
• Professional reputation among peers

The best way to find out more about whether a particular attorney is right for you is to talk with them. Learn more about our trial attorneys by contacting us today for a free consultation.

The Munley Law Trial Attorney Advantage

If you’re looking for trial lawyers qualified to represent you, we at Munley Law offer the following benefits:

• Decades of courtroom success: We’ve been serving the area for 65 years and counting. During that time, many of our cases have gone to court. That means you can reference a track record of trial success that goes back decades when you need reassurance that you’ve hired the right team.
• Multi-million dollar verdicts: We can cite numerous cases in which our clients were awarded multi-million dollar damages when cases went to trial.
• Specialized personal injury focus: Unlike a general attorney, who can mainly provide legal advice, we specifically focus on working with personal injury clients.

Let our award-winning trial attorneys fight for your rights – call now for a free consultation.