Illegal Lockout by Landlord | commercial landlord locked me out

I publish illustrative scenarios prepared by my practice. All participants and conversations are fictional. The fictional posts are not posts by real users, accounts of client experiences, or reports of actual results.
Illustrative scenario prepared by my practice.
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Hypothetical question

Quick background on my situation — any input appreciated.

commercial landlord locked me out. I've been dealing with this for about 8 weeks now and the situation isn't improving.

I have been in this property for 6 years. My monthly rent is $3,014. I have a written lease.

Should I hire a lawyer for this or try to handle it myself?

Illustrative response

Make sure you send everything via certified mail with return receipt.

Illustrative response

Small claims court handled this for me. Took about 6 weeks total.