etiquette when meeting an attorney

by Paige Kihn 5 min read

How Should I Act During the Meeting With the Lawyer?

  • Be prompt. Lawyers value their time, since they generally bill by the hour. Showing up ten minutes late could throw off...
  • Dress professionally. This does not necessarily mean you need to wear a suit, but you should wear the type of attire you...
  • Let the lawyer do the talking, initially. You'll have all sorts of...

Rules for Better Conference Call Conduct
  • Come prepared. It's just like any other meeting. ...
  • Find a quiet place. I know, I know … ...
  • Participate. Facial expressions just won't work at this meeting. ...
  • Use a good phone. ...
  • Introduce yourself before speaking the first time. ...
  • Use the mute button. ...
  • Use the handset, please! ...
  • Speak up.
Apr 19, 2011

Full Answer

How to make a good first meeting with a lawyer?

Dec 19, 2017 · December 19, 2017. “All the world’s a stage,” as they say; and apparently, that includes the courtroom. From my countless post-trial interviews with jurors, I’ve come to the conclusion that jurors are always watching you – not just to see if you’re a good lawyer, but to see if you’re a good person. Thus, it is important for attorneys to be mindful of their actions not only …

What should you wear to a lawyer meeting?

Jun 05, 2014 · Successful lawyers never forget that external clients are the lifeblood of the profession. Without them, no lawyer has a job. Clients must always feel treasured like the valued people they are. Whenever a client is present, give that person 100 percent of your attention.

What are the rules of meeting etiquette?

Is your attorney rude in the meeting room?

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How do I prepare for an attorney meeting?

Tips For Meeting With Your Lawyer For the First TimeDress To Impress. ... Be Ready To Give Your Attorney Important Information About Yourself. ... Gather Your Evidence And Have It Ready For Your First Meeting. ... Get Your Facts Straight. ... Plan Something You Can Look Forward To For After Your Meeting.

What should you wear to meet with an attorney?

The standard attire for meeting with you lawyer should be business casual. Wear dress pants, a nice shirt or top. Women should wear a conservative dress or skirt. Nothing too revealing.Sep 4, 2019

What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

Should you dress up to meet with a lawyer?

Generally, it is recommended that you dress in business casual attire when consulting with a lawyer. Wearing appropriate attire can mean the difference between being taken seriously and not. Your purpose for meeting with a lawyer can also influence the way you choose to present yourself.Sep 30, 2021

What should a lawyer do in the first meeting with a client?

During the New Client Consultation, Every Lawyer Should…Be Clear about Any Consultation Fees. ... Introduce the Firm and Working Attorneys' Experience as Is Relevant to the Case. ... Be Attentive. ... Showcase Knowledge and Know-How. ... Engage with Specifics. ... Discuss the Process.More items...•Aug 13, 2019

What color should I wear to court?

The best colors to wear to court are “conservative” colors (white, blue, navy, gray, and the like) and to steer clear of crazy patterns and shocking fashion statements. Rule number one for women in the courtroom is: Don't dress to distract.Sep 7, 2020

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Attorney misconduct may include: conflict of interest, overbilling, refusing to represent a client for political or professional motives, false or misleading statements, knowingly accepting worthless lawsuits, hiding evidence, abandoning a client, failing to disclose all relevant facts, arguing a position while ...

How often should I hear from my attorney?

You should never be afraid or feel like an intrusion to contact your attorney every three weeks or so, or more frequently if there is a lot going on with your health or other matters related to your legal case. There is of course a limit to how much you should be contacting or sharing.Jun 17, 2020

Do lawyers tell the truth all the time?

Lawyers must be honest, but they do not have to be truthful. A criminal defence lawyer, for example, in zealously defending a client, has no obligation to actively present the truth. Counsel may not deliberately mislead the court, but has no obligation to tell the defendant's whole story.

Can your lawyer lie to you?

In California, the Rules of Professional Conduct govern a lawyer's ethical duties. The law prohibits lawyers from engaging in dishonesty.Jun 17, 2015

What do you wear to a consultation?

Wear Warm Socks & Bring A Sweater Or Jacket In addition, you should consider bringing a sweater or a jacket to your consultation – one that you can quickly put on or take off. You can cover yourself up after you take off your clothes, or even wear it over a medical gown or robe to keep yourself warm and comfortable.Dec 18, 2017

Can u wear sandals to court?

Footwear not to ever wear in court: Flip-flop sandals. Athletic shoes. High-heel spikes. Open-toed shoes.Sep 6, 2021

What questions should I ask my attorney?

Questions for Your Attorney 1 How long have you practiced in this area of law? 2 How many cases have you handled that are like mine? 3 What was the outcome in those cases? 4 How long does it typically take to resolve cases like mine? 5 What sort of budget should I anticipate for this sort of case, from beginning to end? 6 Do you require a retainer? If so, how much? 7 What additional information, documents, or data do you need from me in order to begin work?

What is an initial meeting with an attorney?

An initial meeting with your attorney is important, not just for exchanging information about your case, but also for building rapport and trust. Commonly, you will first have a short phone call with the lawyer, who will then ask to meet you in person. If you aren't yet certain you plan to use this lawyer, ...

Do I need to wear a suit to a business meeting?

This does not necessarily mean you need to wear a suit, but you should wear the type of attire you would wear to any formal business meeting. This shows the attorney that you are a professional, and are taking your case seriously. Let the lawyer do the talking, initially.

What happens if you don't hire a lawyer?

Be honest. Remember that, even if you do not end up hiring the lawyer, everything you tell him or her during your meeting is generally subject to the attorney-client privilege. (The biggest exception to this, not surprisingly, is if you tell your lawyer that you are going to commit a crime, which information the lawyer may be duty-bound ...

Should I get a second opinion before surgery?

Much like getting a second medical opinion before a surgery, it is common to seek advice from two or more lawyers before committing. The attorney-client relationship is important, and you need to feel comfortable with your choice.

What is retainer agreement?

You may be presented with a contract called a retainer agreement or a legal services agreement. This typically spells out the scope of the lawyer's representation of you, as well as the fees that you will pay. The document is ordinarily a few pages long. The lawyer should explain it to you.

How to get zoom to work?

Become familiar with the technology before your Zoom hearing. Learn how to turn on and off your audio and video. Ensure that your microphone and camera are working properly. Check your video settings by clicking on the arrow next to the Start/Stop Video icon.

Who is Devin Shanley?

Attorney Devin Shanley has almost a decade of professional experience working in family law, estate planning and elder law, and has served as a Guardian ad Litem. Devin has a commitment to seeing each case as something beyond a legal puzzle to solve. When meeting with clients, he wants to understand the relationships and family dynamics that need to be preserved to have an optimal outcome. Devin primarily focuses his law practice on wills, powers of attorney, trusts, guardianships and elder law planning. The estate planning section at Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C. offers a FREE, 30-minute consultation.

How to clean up a conference room?

1. Leave the conference room cleaner than the way you found it. No one wants to clean up someone else’s mess. Clean up after yourself and your guests. If you cannot clean up or do not have ready access to cleaning supplies, inform the receptionist or the operator of the space.

When to make a conference room reservation?

In shared office space, conference rooms are usually available if you reserve them a few days in advance. If you wait until the day of your meeting, you may find yourself without access to a conference room. If your meeting gets cancelled, don’t forget to cancel your conference room reservation immediately.

Who is Stephen Furnari?

Stephen Furnari is a self-employed corporate attorney and the founder of Law Firm Suites , the operator of coworking spaces for law firms. Through Law Firm Suites, Furnari has helped hundreds of attorneys launch and grow successful law practices. He is the author of several eBooks, including “7 Deadly Mistakes that Prevent Law Practice Success” and “An Insider’s Guide to Renting the Perfect Law Office”. Stephen has been featured in the ABA Journal, Entrepreneur, New York Daily News and Crain’s New York. Connect with Stephen on Twitter (@stephenfurnari) .

Can you move a meeting to a smaller room?

If you have reserved a meeting for two in a conference room that seats 30, offer to move your meeting to a smaller space (or to your office if possible) if another lawyer needs the bigger space for a deposition or closing. The favor will come back to you the next time you need it.

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What Should I Bring?

  • Here are some suggestions for what to bring to your meeting with your attorney. 1. A pen and pad of paper or the electronic equivalent! In the course of your conversation with your attorney, you will surely want to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise. 2. A list of questions. Clients often have a million questions and concerns before a meeting, one or more of which the…
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How Should I Act During The Meeting with The Lawyer?

  • Treat your first meeting as a business consultation. While you are trying to develop a friendly rapport with your lawyer, you also want him or her to see you as a serious client with serious needs. 1. Be prompt. Lawyers value their time, since they generally bill by the hour. Showing up ten minutes late could throw off the rest of the lawyer's schedule for the day. 2. Dress professio…
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Get An Understanding of The Attorney's Fee Structure and Related Costs

  • As part of your initial meeting with your attorney, it's important to understand the anticipated cost of the representation and how this will be calculated. Different lawyers bill their clients differently. Some charge by the hour; some charge by the project, on a flat-fee or contingency basis. In the case of lawyers who charge hourly, some start out by charging a retainer, which is an initial up-fr…
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Clarify What Will Happen After The Meeting

  • Be clear on what will happen next, and then be sure to follow through on whatever you're asked to do by your new attorney. The attorney will need cooperation from your end. Commonly, a lawyer will ask you to send additional documents or information pertaining to your case so that he or she can review it in detail. If it's not clearly spelled out in your representation agreement, ask the law…
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Questions For Your Attorney

  1. How long have you practiced in this area of law?
  2. How many cases have you handled that are like mine?
  3. What was the outcome in those cases?
  4. How long does it typically take to resolve cases like mine?
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