when attorney wants to meet for consultation is that good

What happens at an initial consultation with a lawyer?

Nov 16, 2020 · What to Expect From a Consultation. The purpose of a consultation is to determine whether our firm is a good fit for your legal needs. Although we often discuss expected results and costs, our attorneys do not give legal advice unless and until you choose to retain us.

How do I find a good lawyer to consult?

A good attorney will usually not promise you a specific outcome, especially in a personal injury or criminal defense situation. What is the likely cost of pursuing your case? By the time you leave an attorney’s office after the initial consultation, you should have a …

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

You know that you have a pressing legal matter and need to schedule a consultation meeting with an attorney. When you sit down with your lawyer for the first time, you'll want to make the most of that meeting. Lawyers often charge hourly, even for …

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

The initial consultation may last more or less than one hour. Although we schedule each initial consultation for one hour, your actual appointment may last more or less than one hour. It depends on the complexity of your situation and how much information you were able to have organized before your initial consultation with an attorney.

What do lawyers do in consultations?

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.

What should I expect at my initial consultation?

The initial consultation is a time for you to ask questions and get answers. You will learn about your legal rights, as well as the legal process. We learn what is important to you and help you to set goals. We then give you a plan of action to accomplish those goals.

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

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 happens after a consultation with a lawyer?

More detailed fact gathering will occur after the initial consultation if you decide to hire the attorney. ... The attorney will generally tell you the next steps in your case and quote you either a flat fee for the work involved or tell you how much he or she will require as a retainer if you would like to move forward.Nov 16, 2020

What is a 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 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

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 questions should I ask my 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 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's a consultation in law?

In short, a legal consultation is an initial meeting with an attorney that takes place before you make the decision on whether to hire that attorney to represent you in your particular legal matter.Jul 22, 2019

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.

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.

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 an associate attorney?

Associates are less experienced attorneys that work under the main attorney, who directs and supervises their work.

What are the expenses of an attorney?

Expenses are the hard costs that the attorney spends in the case that are usually billed back to the client. Examples of some expenses include court filing fees, fees for records, depositions fees or expert witness fess. Typically, a client is responsible for both fees and expenses.

Can a lawyer predict the outcome of a case?

A good attorney will rarely predict the outcome of your case because many variables may affect the end result. He or she should be able to tell you the outcomes of similar cases, however. A good attorney will usually not promise you a specific outcome, especially in a personal injury or criminal defense situation.

What to know before meeting with a lawyer?

Before you get too far into a meeting or conversation, the lawyer will want to know about any possible conflicts of interest that might prevent him or her from ethically representing you.

What do lawyers want to see in a case?

In addition to learning about you and hearing your narrative, your lawyer will also want to see documents and evidence, both for informational purposes and to help assess the strength of your case.

What are the goals of a lawyer?

Typical goals might include: review and provide comments on a contract or legal document. draft a will.

How to respond to a legal complaint?

respond to a legal complaint, lawsuit, or threatening letter. research whether you have a meritorious legal claim against another person or entity. draft a legal complaint or demand letter to another person or entity, or. negotiate a lease, contract, or other agreement.

Can you remember what you discussed with an attorney?

It can be difficult to remember what you discussed with an attorney days or even weeks later when the situation arises again. We encourage all potential clients to take a few notes on important discussion topics during their consultation so they have something to jog their memory later. Additionally, there may be follow-up information or documents we need you to obtain before we can take the next step, and it is always helpful to have those type of instructions written down.

Can Melissa Graham Hurd and Associates prepare for an appointment?

The attorneys at Melissa Graham-Hurd & Associates, LLC, can take time to prepare for your appointment if you complete any provided client information sheets and return them to the office well in advance of your appointment. Your time with one of the attorneys will be most productive if you fill the questionnaire out fully so we know what questions to ask you.

How to schedule a free initial consultation?

In many cases, all you have to do to schedule a free initial consultation is to contact an experienced attorney on the phone or by email to discuss your lawsuit. It is also possible to use a firm’s online contact form to arrange a free initial consultation.

How long does it take for a personal injury case to resolve?

It is a good idea to ask how long it will take for your case to resolve, though similar to predicting compensation awards, it can be tricky to determine how long a case will last. In almost all cases, though, it is not useful to expect that a case will be resolved in a few weeks. Most personal injury cases will take months or even years to resolve.

What to do if you have been injured in an accident?

If you have been injured in an accident, it is a good idea to obtain the assistance of an experienced accident attorney who can help you pursue the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. Before retaining a lawyer’s services, however, you will often meet for a free lawyer consultation. Consultations provide accident victims ...

Should an attorney charge a consult fee?

Lawyers have to balance time spent obtaining clients versus time spent working on client matters. In high volume consumer practices, charging a small consultation fee will weed out people looking for free legal advice.

About Joleena Louis

Joleena Louis is a matrimonial and family law attorney at Joleena Louis Law, a firm she founded after leaving a boutique matrimonial firm in Brooklyn. Joleena is a client in Law Firm Suites’ Financial District location. Her weekly blog series Things I Wish I Knew...

Why is it important to choose the right lawyer?

Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision—whether you were in a car accident, have a medical malpractice claim, or find yourself the target of a criminal investigation. Referrals from friends or co-workers can be great, but you need to do your homework to make sure you have the right attorney for the job.

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

What is a conflict in a lawyer?

If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly represents, there would be a conflict. A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by ...

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

How can a lawyer save you money?

Your lawyer can often save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a lower hourly rate. However, your lawyer should be involved in all key aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well.

What is the process of a civil case?

In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation , a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party. Other times, arbitration might be an option. Arbitration— using a private service to adjudicate a dispute—is a less formal, less costly, and faster way of getting a decision in some civil matters.

What is contingency fee?

In cases where you are suing for monetary damages, the lawyer may represent you for a “contingency fee.”. This means the attorney gets paid a portion (typically one-third) of the amount you receive after a successful trial or settlement. Make sure you discuss expenses as well as attorney fees.