How to find a lawyer on GoodSharks

Create a free account

If you haven't done so already, create a free account and follow the quick and simple sign up procedure.

Add a case

From your dashboard, add a new case. We'll help you along the way, but for further assistance, have a look at our how to file a case on GoodSharks page.

File your case

Once you have filed, the system will indicate if it matched your case to any lawyers in the GoodSharks database, and if so, how many.

Adjust your search parameters if needed

If you case didn't find any matching lawyers, have a look at your search options and your search radius. If these are too tight, you may want to open them up a little. You can then re-file your case.

Await lawyer responses

Once your case has been filed, any matching lawyers will be notified automatically that they have received a new case. Like you, they also have a dashboard where any new cases or messages arrive.

If they can help you, the lawyer will send you a message, and this will appear in your dashboard. By default, we'll also let you know automatically via your email address that you have received such a message. You can always turn this off in your Preferences, which you'll find in your dashboard.

If the lawyer is unable to help you, they'll be asked to supply a reason. Perhaps they are too busy at the moment, or your case doesn't quite fall within their area of expertise. Whatever the reason, you'll be notified of that too in case you need to alter your case parameters or take alternative action.

Converse with Lawyers

A response from a lawyer starts a conversation.

Once you have received responses from lawyers, you too can converse with them. You can also check out their legal profile, which will give you a better idea of their practice. Just open up the conversation from your dashboard, and click View lawyer's profile.

As you message back and forth with lawyers, you'll see the thread of the conversation building. For clarity, older messages within the conversation are tucked away, but you can open them up if you need to refer back to them.

Hire a lawyer

Assuming all goes well, and you have found a lawyer that suits you and your situation, you can then click on I've hired this lawyer from within your conversation with them.

By clicking on this, you are not actually entering into any legal agreement with that lawyer or GoodSharks, but it will close your case to other lawyers, and indicate to them that you have found someone suitable.

For further reading on the subject of when a lawyer becomes your lawyer, have a look this FAQ.

Rate your Lawyer

After you lawyer has worked with you on your legal issue, they can invite you to rate them. Like any rating system, the GoodSharks client rating is purely subjective, but it can be a helpful aid to other users. You may have even decided to use your lawyer based on what others have said about him or her.