Lawyers in Delaware

Finding a lawyer in Delaware

Delaware is known nationally for business law. A large share of American corporations are organized here, and the Court of Chancery, which decides corporate and equity disputes without juries, draws lawyers and litigants from across the country. That reputation can make the state feel like a place only for corporate counsel, but most Delaware residents need something more ordinary: a lawyer for a car crash, a divorce in Family Court, a DUI charge or a will.

This directory sorts Delaware law firms by practice area and by city, covering Wilmington and the rest of New Castle County, Dover and Kent County, and the Sussex County beach towns. Every attorney who practices law in Delaware must be admitted by the Delaware Supreme Court.

When you need a lawyer (and when you may not)

Get a Delaware attorney involved early if you are charged with a crime or DUI, seriously injured in a crash or at work, served with Family Court papers, involved in an immigration case, or sued. Delaware sets filing deadlines by statute, and some are short. Business owners should also seek counsel before signing operating agreements or disputes reach the Court of Chancery, where procedure is demanding.

Small money disputes are heard by the Justice of the Peace Courts, where most parties appear without lawyers, and simple traffic matters are usually manageable alone. Because many Delaware firms offer a free or low-cost first meeting, a short consultation is a cheap way to confirm that your matter really is simple.

Common practice areas in Delaware

• Personal Injury and Car Accident — crash and injury claims, including those involving the state's mandatory personal injury protection coverage, typically handled on contingency.
• Family & Divorce — divorce, custody, visitation, child support and protection orders in the Delaware Family Court.
• Criminal Defense and DUI & DWI — defense in the Court of Common Pleas and Superior Court, including DUI and license matters.
• Business — entity formation, shareholder and partnership disputes, and litigation in the Court of Chancery and Superior Court.
• Estate Planning & Probate — wills, trusts and estate administration through the Register of Wills and the Court of Chancery.
• Bankruptcy — a federal practice; the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in Wilmington is a major venue for corporate cases and also handles consumer filings.
• Real Estate — closings, title issues and landlord-tenant disputes; Delaware generally requires an attorney's involvement in residential real estate settlements.
• Immigration — a federal practice covering visas, family petitions and removal defense.
• Employment, Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability — workplace claims, job-injury cases before the Industrial Accident Board, and federal disability appeals.

Medical Malpractice, Tax, Intellectual Property, Civil Rights and Traffic Ticket firms are listed as well.

How to check a lawyer's license in Delaware

The Delaware Supreme Court is the licensing authority, and the Delaware courts provide an online attorney lookup that shows whether a lawyer is admitted and in good standing. Lawyer discipline is handled by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, and public sanctions are issued by the Supreme Court.

The Delaware State Bar Association is a voluntary organization; membership is common but is not a license. Because Delaware is small and borders Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland, many lawyers hold licenses in several states. For a Delaware court case, confirm that the lawyer is admitted in Delaware specifically, not just in a neighboring state.

How to choose a law firm

Ask which Delaware court will hear your matter and how often the lawyer appears there. A firm that lives in the Court of Chancery may not be the right fit for a Family Court custody case, and the reverse is equally true. Ask about similar recent matters and who at the firm will do the work.

Settle the fee terms in writing. Delaware lawyers use contingency fees for injury and workers' compensation cases, hourly billing for most family, business and real estate work, and flat fees for defined tasks. Ask what costs are billed separately.

Questions to ask at the first consultation

1. Which court will handle my matter, and how often do you appear there?
2. Who at the firm will be my main contact?
3. How do you charge, and which costs are separate?
4. What deadlines apply to my situation?
5. What outcomes are realistic, and what could go wrong?
6. What should I gather or stop doing now?
7. How will you keep me informed?

Free and low-cost legal help

Delaware's main civil legal aid providers are Community Legal Aid Society, Legal Services Corporation of Delaware and Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, which together serve lower-income residents in housing, family, consumer, benefits and disability matters. The Delaware courts offer self-help resources and forms for people representing themselves.

The Delaware State Bar Association operates a Lawyer Referral Service that connects callers with a private attorney for a short initial consultation. Widener University Delaware Law School in Wilmington runs clinics in which supervised students handle selected cases.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed Delaware attorney about your situation.