How to Choose a Libel and Slander Attorney

Libel and Slander Attorneys

Libel and slander are statements written or verbal made to cause harm to someone's reputation. The First Amendment of the US constitution guarantees freedom of speech for citizens. The law also limits this freedom to protect citizen from wrongful character accusations. If you have been slandered, an attorney may be needed to repair damages caused to your business or employment. Use these steps to help you find a libel and slander attorney.

Instructions

1. Evaluate the areas or laws pertinent to your libel and slander case. Media, internet, employment and personal injury are some of the areas within law that are most applicable to defamation cases. There may be someone spreading lies about your character at work; this may be an employment law case. A business or individual places slanderous content on the internet or a magazine; this may fall under media law. It's important to classify your situation into the proper laws to search for an attorney with experience in the specific area.

2. Identify the type of lawyer most suitable for your case. Many attorneys practice general Personal Injury laws, but others have specialty practice for defamation cases. Based on your evaluation above determine if you need to contact a media law attorney, employment attorney or if a personal injury lawyer is suitable for the case.

3. Determine the attorney's payment method. Some lawyers charge a full fee whether or not the case is won in court. Depending on the strength of the evidence, some attorneys will work on contingency pay. Using this method the defendant only pays if the case is won in court by the attorney. The fee amount is generally a percentage of any awards ordered by the court.

4. Meet with two or three defamation attorneys. Evaluate the attorney's fees, specific experience within defamation laws, free consultations; libel cases won by the attorney, references and the comfort level to discuss personal matters with the attorney.

5. Find libel and slander attorneys. Use the internet to search for "defamation", "libel", "slander", "internet attorney" lawyers. Look in your State Bar Association for experienced attorneys, find local associations of defamation lawyers; consult law professors in colleges and universities to find attorney recommendation.