what to take when meeting with a free consulation attorney for the first time

by Johan West 7 min read

Make a set of copies of everything that you plan to share with the lawyer. Give the lawyer the copies at the beginning of the initial consultation. Prudent attorneys do not accept original documents, and you do not want to waste precious time or money waiting while the attorney makes copies.

What Should I Bring?
  • A pen and pad of paper or the electronic equivalent! ...
  • A list of questions. ...
  • A check for the initial consultation fee, if your attorney charges one. ...
  • Any documents relevant to your case.
Nov 30, 2018

Full Answer

How do I prepare for a consultation with a lawyer?

Give the lawyer the copies at the beginning of the initial consultation. Prudent attorneys do not accept original documents, and you do not want to waste precious time or money waiting while the attorney makes copies. So fax the documents to the law office before the meeting. Even better, if you have a scanner, scan and email the documents instead.

Do lawyers do free first consultations?

Jun 01, 2020 · Most lawyers offer a free consultation so that you have a chance to determine if he or she is the right person for you. Going to the first meeting with some simple questions can help you ensure you find the right person for the legal help you need. You will not get much legal advice at this consult since it is not meant to resolve your legal ...

What questions should I ask in an initial meeting with a lawyer?

Sep 04, 2019 · On the day of your consultation gather everything you need and put it in the correct order. Dress nicely. 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. It is very important to arrive on time.

What should I bring to my meeting with my attorney?

What happens at the actual attorney-client initial consultation. At Melissa Graham-Hurd & Associates, LLC, the attorney (s) meeting with you will take time to understand your situation, develop your legal claim (s), and determine with you what our strategy would be to resolve your case. We will take time to answer your questions, separate legal ...

What do I need to bring to my first meeting with a lawyer?

Be Ready To Give Your Attorney Important Information About Yourself. If you have not already done so, make sure you have all of your personal information ready before meeting with your lawyer. This can include your physical address, email address, information regarding your job or employer, and your cell phone number.

How do I prepare my first consultation with a lawyer?

Prepare For Your ConsultationBring all documents. Make copies of all the documents you have collected regarding your case and give these copies to your lawyer.Have notes ready. ... Dress for success. ... Be honest. ... Talk about costs. ... Ask your lawyer questions. ... Understand all documents you sign. ... Keep your own files.More items...

What do I bring to a consultation?

What Should you bring to your initial consultation?A pen and pad of paper or something to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise.Take the time before you meet with your attorney to write down a list of questions. ... An understanding of your financial situation. ... Bring any documents relevant to your case.Jan 7, 2021

What questions should I ask a free consultation lawyer?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•Jan 29, 2017

What should I wear to a lawyer consultation?

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

How do I prepare for a consultation?

A lot of thought and preparation go into creating an effective consultation that converts a prospect into a customer or client.Understand your goals. ... Start with a consultation form. ... Be aware of your body language. ... Approach the consultation as a conversation. ... Ask the right questions.More items...•Nov 19, 2020

What are some questions an attorney might ask a new client?

What Questions do Lawyers Ask Their Clients?What is your case about? A lawyer will want to know every single detail of your case. ... What do you hope to accomplish? ... How do you want us to communicate? ... Why did you choose me? ... Are you comfortable with my rates?Nov 28, 2019

What do you say when talking to a lawyer?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•Aug 4, 2015

Why would a good lawyer not tell a client how their case will come out at the initial consultation?

Why would a good lawyer not tell a client how their case will come out at the initial consultation? A good lawyer knows that every case is different and without doing research. A good lawyer will not guarantee the outcome of any case.

What Should I Bring?

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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