what to tell you attorney on your consultation?

At the initial consultation the attorney will generally ask you to give him or her a brief description of what you need help with. At this point, the attorney is not looking for the whole story, but a brief summary. He or she will then ask you a series of targeted questions in order to determine:

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What happens at an initial consultation with a lawyer?

Jun 29, 2020 · Legally, your employment lawyer has to tell you about conflicts of interest right away. A conflict of interest doesn’t mean that your employment lawyer disagrees with your case, but that there’s a professional line they can’t cross. For example, your lawyer may have already represented someone in your workplace for another issue.

How do I find a good lawyer to consult?

Nov 16, 2020 · At the initial consultation the attorney will generally ask you to give him or her a brief description of what you need help with. At this point, the attorney is not looking for the whole story, but a brief summary. He or she will then ask you a series of targeted questions in order to determine: • The nature of your legal issue;

What should I bring to my first consultation with a lawyer?

your permission. With that understanding, it is imperative that you tell the attorney the truth and provide all of the related details. The quality of the advice you receive will be directly proportional to the candor with which you answer the attorney’s questions. A. The Name, Rank, and Serial Number Types of Questions:

How do I find the right lawyer for my case?

Aug 24, 2016 · In general, lawyers need to know as much information about your case in order to present the best possible legal defense. Without this information, they simply cannot defend you to the best of their ability. In some cases, this information …

What questions should I ask my 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

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...

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 do lawyers do in a consultation?

The consultation is about getting a feel for if the lawyer is the right one for you. The lawyer is also trying to figure out if you will make a good client or if you will be in trouble. A lot of clients come to law firms with issues, and the lawyer wants to make sure the clie3nt doesn't cause drama at the law firm.Jun 21, 2019

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. ... Once your consultation begins, let your attorney guide the meeting.Sep 4, 2019

How can I communicate with my lawyer?

Stay informed about your case.Take notes if you talk to your lawyer in person or over the telephone. Store your notes in the same place. ... Always review your notes before contacting your attorney. The answer to your question may be in your notes.Your lawyer should also send you copies of documents filed in your case.

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 is an initial consultation?

An Initial consultation is a 90 minute consultation for a new client who would like to meet with a psychologist to discuss current issues and/or concerns and talk about strategies and goals for therapy and/or a treatment plan.

What is a meeting with a lawyer called?

All attorneys meet with prospective clients in what is called an initial consultation. This is a first meeting between you and the lawyer to help you both decide whether you want to work together in an attorney-client relationship.

What does a consultation include?

During your consultation, the attorney will ask about the issues in your case and discuss the merits of the actions and the various ways you can proceed. There will then be a mutual selection process.

Is a free consultation really free?

In some cases, attorneys may offer free phone consultations as the starting point. ... If you have been seriously injured and are unable to travel, some attorneys will visit you in the hospital or at home. It's true: Free legal consultations really are free.Jul 2, 2015

What does a free consultation consist of?

So, when a lawyer says that he or she will provide a free consultation it means that they will sit down with you, hear about your problem, and give you some initial thoughts about it, at no charge or obligation to you. This meeting gives you a chance to "interview" the lawyer and the lawyer the chance to interview you.Oct 17, 2011

What to do after initial consultation with attorney?

If you are comfortable with the attorney, the next step after the initial consultation is to sign a retainer agreement. The retainer agreement should, at least, set forth the fee structure and the scope of representation. The exact terms and conditions of your retainer agreement will depend on the attorney and on the nature of your legal matter.

What to do if you can't trust your attorney?

You need to trust your attorney, which is the cornerstone of any successful attorney-client relationship. If you can’t trust your lawyer, then you need to find one who you can . The above tips should help make your initial consultation with your attorney as productive as possible.

Why is it important to hire an attorney?

Hiring an attorney as early on in your case is essential to getting the best representation you can. Meeting with an attorney as soon as possible not only ensures that deadlines aren’t missed, but it also gives your attorney more time to understand the issues and help you reach the best possible resolution.

Can you lie to your attorney?

Don’t ever lie to your attorney. Even if you think something can be damaging to your case, it’s even worse to withhold information. Your attorney can mitigate almost anything you’ve done as long as you’re truthful from the outset.

What is an initial consultation?

All attorneys meet with prospective clients in what is called an initial consultation. This is a first meeting between you and the lawyer to help you both decide whether you want to work together in an attorney-client relationship. At this point, you are both checking each other out, and getting information and advice that can help you ...

What are some examples of legal documents?

Examples may include birth certificates, marriage certificates, cell phone texts, emails, photos, audio recordings, or videos. 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.

What is the purpose of a free consultation?

The purpose of a free consultation is not to obtain specific legal advice in the consultation, but rather to allow you to determine whether you would like to hire the attorney and to allow the attorney to determine whether he or she can help you achieve your legal goals.

Do attorneys give free consultations?

Many attorneys offer both free consultations and paid consultations, depending on what you are trying to accomplish. The key to understanding the difference, is that generally attorneys will not give legal advice without being first hired by the client.

What is retainer in a case?

A retainer is basically a down payment for the attorney’s work.

What is retainer in a trust account?

A retainer is basically a down payment for the attorney’s work. It is kept in a trust account and remains your money and refundable until the attorney earns it. This is a great time to ask the attorney any questions that you have, including questions about his or her experience with cases like yours.

What to do if you are worried about divulging facts?

If you are worried about divulging certain facts about your case, the best thing for you to do is to find an experienced attorney and hire them to represent you. Remember, you only have attorney-client privilege with a lawyer who is representing you. Only discuss the details of your case with an attorney whom you have hired to represent you in court. If you admit guilt to your lawyer, it may actually help your case in the long run.

What does it feel like to be accused of a crime?

If you have been accused of a crime, you are probably feeling anxious and worried. Whether or not you actually committed the action of which you are accused, it’s normal to feel nervous about appearing in a court of law before a judge, jury and prosecuting attorney. After all, the outcome of your legal case could determine whether ...

What is the role of a criminal defense attorney?

A criminal defense attorney stakes his or her professional reputation on their efforts to protect their client’s rights. In the course of their career, many defense attorneys may have to represent a client who admits guilt.

What is attorney-client privilege?

Attorneys are sworn to protect information that you divulge to them after you have hired them to represent you. This is known as attorney-client privilege. Essentially, once you have hired an attorney, they are legally bound to protect the things that you tell them regarding your case.

Why do people hire lawyers?

Most people hired attorneys because they don't want to sit in court. Well, truth be told, neither do I. The difference between lawyer and client is that the lawyer expects it to take a long time and understands. The client typically thinks it's unjustified. So, your hard truth is that each case takes time. Be patient.

What happens if you don't pay your lawyer?

If you don't pay your lawyer on the day of trial, or however you have agreed to, then while he or she may be obligated by other ethical duties to do his/her best, they won't be motivated by sympathy for you, and it will show in court.

Can a lawyer take your money?

While lawyers can certainly take your money and your time and we can file a case that will be very hard to win, if you don't care enough about your life to get a contract, the judge is not very likely to be on your side. At least, not automatically. Oral contracts are extremely hard to prove. What are the terms.

What to do if your lawyer doubts you?

Tell the Truth. If your lawyer doubts you in the consultation, or doesn't think you have a case, while that may change over time, getting over an initial disbelief is very hard. You have to prove your case. Your attorney is not your witness. They are your advocate - but you are responsible for coming up with proof.

Why is credibility important in court?

Credibility is one of the most important things in this world - and most important in a courtroom. If you care enough only to wear sweats to the courthouse, then the judge will see that you don't care, and that will be reflected in their desire to help you, listen to you, and decide in your favor. Step it up.

Do juries get it right?

While juries usually get it right, sometimes, it's not about whether a particular matter is emotional or simple, complicated or straightforward. Sometimes people make decisions on who has the nicer suit, or who is more pleasant to deal with. So even if your case is good or even if it's not so strong.