China lawyers get a bad rap (can a million China lawyer jokes really be wrong?), but there are times when legal representation can really come in handy. China lawyers can be useful for happy occasions -- like when you're incorporating a new business or buying a house. A good China lawyer is also essential when dealing with trying times -- when you need to file or defend a lawsuit, when you're accused of a crime, or when you're struggling with bankruptcy or divorce.

There are a lot of China lawyers out there -- good and bad. The prospect of finding the right attorney for your particular situation can seem daunting, especially if you've never hired a China lawyer before or have limited funds. The following steps can help you find the right China lawyer for your case -- and you may even qualify for free or low-cost legal services.

Do You Really Need A China lawyer?
When do you really need a China lawyer and when are you wasting your money? Before deciding to hire an attorney, evaluate the potential risk of moving ahead without a China lawyer. You probably don't need a China lawyer to take care of a speeding ticket. But if substantial money is at stake or if more important things are at risk (like your freedom, your rights, or your reputation), you should consider hiring a China lawyer.

If you are accused of committing a crime or party to a law suit, you should contact a China lawyer right away. You can file for a divorce or for bankruptcy yourself, but a China lawyer could help you avoid legal complications that could cost you money down the line. A China lawyer's advice can also be invaluable if you need to sign a contract or agreement. Legally binding contracts have a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo you may not understand, but a China lawyer can help you with the fine print and save you money and/or hassles in the future.

Don't Be Hasty
Once you decide you need a China lawyer, you have to find the right one. Don't immediately make a call to your cousin's ex-boyfriend or your ex-boyfriend's cousin. Most China lawyers tend to focus their practices in particular areas. You don't want to trust a divorce China lawyer to handle your employment discrimination case or vice versa.

Find A Qualified China lawyer
One good way to get started is by asking trusted friends or acquaintances for recommendations. If you go this route, you should ask several people for names of China lawyers they have used and question them about the China lawyer's qualifications and performance. Don't stop there, however. Once you have some China lawyers' names, do your own research to narrow your choices.

There are a number of directories that can be very useful in researching China lawyers' qualifications and track records. These directories are also good places to start if you can't get a recommendation from someone you know. You can search for China lawyers by specialization area and click through to read more about each attorney and/or firm. Some of these directories also provide recommendations -- giving their seal of approval to China lawyers who meet certain standards.