William J. Kovatch, Jr., Attorney at Law, PLLC

Located in Alexandria, Virginia, we specialize in the legal needs of the elderly community. From estate planning to guardianships to Medicaid planning to special needs trusts, we strive to provide the best quality legal advice suited to your needs, values and goals.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Administrative Agency Cases Require Special Attention

Many people involved in a case before an administrative agency do themselves a disservice by not hiring a lawyer. They assume that because the procedures are informal, they can just as easily present their case as a lawyer. Even before an administrative agency, however, lawyers are vital.

The most important thing to do before an administrative agency is to make a record. That is the case is decided on the testimony, documents and other information submitted to the agency. This is the record. Often, administrative agency cases involve highly technical subject matter. A person before the agency maybe an expert. But, he or she should not assume everyone else is. Thus, it is vital to submit documentation to back up your case. An experienced lawyer knows how to make a record. Indeed, an experienced lawyer will understand that the case could go to court, where the judge will not be a technical expert. Putting enough evidence on the record to convince a judge is key.

Next, people are often anxious to state their case. But, they may not realize that there words can be misinterpreted. A lawyer can help select the right message and be careful in word selection.

Finally, a good lawyer will research the law and learn how to set up the legal arguments.

So, if you find yourself in a case before an administrative agency, you should invest the resources to find an experienced lawyer to help you.