{"id":19022,"date":"2017-10-13T15:21:22","date_gmt":"2017-10-13T19:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/?p=19022"},"modified":"2026-06-02T16:32:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T20:32:19","slug":"how-to-choose-a-lawyer-quebec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.verreaudufresneavocats.com\/en\/publications\/justice-101\/how-to-choose-a-lawyer-quebec\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose the Right Lawyer in Quebec: A Practical Guide for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is no directory of the best lawyers in Quebec. So how do you find the best lawyers in Quebec for family law, criminal law, civil law or any other area of law?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2026, the Barreau du Qu\u00e9bec (Quebec Bar) has more than 31,000 members, which can make it hard for people to choose the right professional for their situation.<\/p>\n

Verreau Dufresne Avocats explains that the best lawyers in Quebec are not necessarily the most expensive or the ones who have won the most trials. Every client has expectations of their lawyer. The best lawyers are, above all, the ones who best meet your expectations and needs.<\/p>\n

The best lawyers in Quebec are not necessarily the ones who win the most trials or charge the highest fees. The best lawyer is the one whose expertise, approach and costs fit your particular situation.<\/p>\n

The criteria in this article are based on the experience we have gained from handling thousands of cases over the years.<\/p>\n

Here are 5 tips to help you choose your lawyer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

TIP #1: Fees that fit your situation<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Are the best lawyers the most expensive?<\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Billing a lawyer\u2019s professional services at an hourly rate is very common in Quebec. Hourly rates vary considerably. Most lawyers charge between $100 and $500 an hour.<\/p>\n

Several factors explain this wide range, including the location and size of the firm, the lawyer\u2019s years of experience and the firm\u2019s type of clients (businesses, institutions, government bodies, individuals, etc.).<\/p>\n

One thing is certain: a lawyer who charges $800 an hour must have greater expertise and efficiency than most lawyers in a given area of law. Otherwise, they may bring no added value to their client.<\/p>\n

For example, a copyright lawyer who charges $800 an hour will not bring any added value<\/strong> to a client who also hires them for a latent defects claim. The lawyer\u2019s hourly rate is justified by their expertise in intellectual property, which will be of no use in this type of claim.<\/p>\n

Your lawyer\u2019s hourly rate should fit your financial situation, the amounts at stake, the complexity of the case and the expertise needed to handle it.<\/p>\n

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A true story: a client comes to see us. He had hired a large Qu\u00e9bec City firm for a $75,000 lawsuit. The client wanted THE best lawyer. The result is disconcerting. The bill for legal fees is over $90,000, and the trial has not even taken place yet!<\/em><\/p>\n

While exceptional, this situation is nonetheless real. It is a concrete example of a lawyer who brought no added value to their client.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

TIP #2: An innovative lawyer rather than a conservative one<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The legal profession is often associated with conservatism, in particular because lawyers and the justice system do not evolve at the same pace as society and technology.<\/p>\n

The best lawyers in Quebec know not only the law, but also their market<\/strong> and their clients<\/strong>. They continually adapt their practice to meet clients\u2019 new expectations of the justice system.<\/p>\n

Too many lawyers bill their clients for tasks and professional services that could be automated with new technologies.<\/p>\n

The best lawyers may want to share their legal knowledge with their clients through plain-language articles on the web, or reduce paperwork in favour of digital files so cases can be handled faster. They can use legal artificial intelligence, electronic signatures, collaborative tools or videoconferencing to be more available to their clients, anywhere and at any time.<\/p>\n

A lawyer who knows what clients expect and has a modern practice will not only be more efficient, but also more creative<\/strong> and bold<\/strong> when looking for solutions and putting strategies in place. For example, they will use Google and the web to search the world for a different, original way to steer or resolve their cases.<\/p>\n

TIP #3: A lawyer who communicates clearly<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

People in Quebec are frustrated by the number of laws and by the complex, specialized vocabulary of the legal world.<\/p>\n

People hire a lawyer to understand their rights and their situation. In recent years, clients have come to expect a great deal of plain-language explanation<\/strong>, learning and sharing of legal knowledge in the lawyer-client relationship. Today\u2019s lawyer must therefore use accessible language<\/strong> to satisfy their clients.<\/p>\n

Here is an excerpt from a legal opinion prepared by the former lawyer of one of our clients, shared with the required consents.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccordingly, we are of the opinion that the unforeseen and sudden event constitutes a novus actus interveniens that breaks the chain of causation between the alleged omission and the bodily injury sustained, the initial fault no longer playing any causal role.\u201d (our translation)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

This legal opinion is written for a reader with legal training. It is not the accessible language today\u2019s lawyer must use to meet their clients\u2019 expectations.<\/p>\n

In fact, in this case, our client decided to retain our firm because she was dissatisfied at having paid her former lawyer $1,800 for a document she did not understand.<\/p>\n

The best lawyers in Quebec must not only care<\/strong> about explaining legal content in plain language, but also have a knack<\/strong> for doing so, so that their clients fully understand.<\/p>\n

TIP #4: A competent lawyer<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

The best Quebec civil lawyers are not necessarily the best criminal lawyers. It is important to find out about the practice areas of the lawyer you are approaching.<\/p>\n

Some lawyers are generalists, while others focus on a specific field. The latter usually work on large-scale cases or cases involving very specific laws. Either way, both types of lawyers have advantages and disadvantages.<\/p>\n

In general, the most specialized<\/strong> lawyers have in-depth knowledge of their field. Unfortunately, they will often have less latitude to represent you in other areas of law. The lawyer-client relationship is therefore more often limited to cases that fall strictly within their field of expertise.<\/p>\n

People with a case in a more traditional area of law, and people with recurring legal needs in different areas of law, may benefit from turning to a more generalist<\/strong> lawyer or, failing that, to a local firm with several specialized lawyers who, together, can serve clients in most areas of law.<\/p>\n

TIP #5: A lawyer focused on the client experience<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Today, clients no longer choose a lawyer for their legal knowledge alone. They are also looking for clear communication, quick response times, effective technology tools and an overall experience that meets their expectations.<\/p>\n

The quality of client service can vary considerably from one law firm to another. Some lawyers practise alone or take a more conservative approach to law. This can affect the quality of client service.<\/p>\n

Several factors<\/strong> support high-quality client service:<\/p>\n