To make the most of your initial consultation with an attorney, learn what to expect during the meeting and what you can do to prepare in advance.
The purpose of the first meeting is multi-faceted:
- The attorney wants to understand the main points of your case, evaluate the merits of your claim, and decide whether to accept you as a client.
- You want to find out whether you have a case that would benefit from legal representation, and you want to decide whether to proceed with hiring this attorney.
To accomplish these goals, the attorney will ask questions, listen to your story, and review documents. The lawyer will share an assessment of your case and answer your questions. You might be presented with a retainer agreement if the lawyer agrees to represent you; you can choose to accept or not.
Prepare in Advance
The success of your meeting in part depends on how well you prepare in advance. Your preparation will provide the attorney with a more complete picture of your potential case, make better use of your time together, help you feel more at ease, and make sure you ask all of your questions.
Gather Any Legal Papers and Related Documents
Your lawyer will want to see documents and evidence for your case, for informational purposes as well as to help evaluate the strength of your case. Try to locate and copy any of the following documents that might apply to your case:
- Accident reports
- Police reports
- Insurance claims
- Photos of the scene, your injuries, etc.
- Medical records, including bills
- Witness statements and contact information
- Correspondence between you and the other party (this can include email and text messages)
- Financial documents, including wage statements, expenses for repairs, etc.
- Court filings and notices
Create a Timeline of Events
Writing a brief chronology of relevant events can be helpful. Referring to this timeline can refresh your memory during the conversation with counsel and keep your recounting of your story more organized. A prepared timeline also prevents you from forgetting to share significant points during the course of your meeting.
Complete Forms and Questionnaires From Attorney
Sometimes attorneys will send a questionnaire ahead of time to help speed up the process and to assist in their assessment of your case. Complete any questionnaires and forms before your meeting. Answer thoroughly and honestly.
Prepare List of Questions
The attorney will ask you many questions. You, too, will have questions. To make sure you get your questions answered, prepare a list in advance. Consult the firm’s website to make sure you don’t waste time asking questions already answered there. Some questions you might want to ask include:
- Will you be working on my case or will another attorney at the firm?
- What fees will be charged?
- Have you represented clients with similar cases?
- What problems do you foresee with my case?
Confirm Cost of Consultation
Many attorneys offer an initial consultation for free. But you should confirm any costs for this meeting in advance. For a free consultation with a Bennett Injury Law attorney, call (972) 972-4969.
During the Meeting
Be Honest
Don’t withhold any relevant information, and be honest in all your answers. Remember, what you discuss with the attorney is protected by attorney-client privilege laws and will remain confidential. Also, to provide you with the best possible legal representation your attorney needs to be aware of all details in order to be prepared for issues that the other party might raise.
Ask Questions
Refer to your list of questions prepared before the meeting. Also, try waiting until after the attorney has asked you questions, shared opinions of the case, and explained the process or next steps. The lawyer might answer some of your questions during the course of the conversation. Additional questions might come to mind in response to comments during your discussion.
Take Notes
Your lawyer likely will share a lot of information with you, and it can be difficult to later recall all that was discussed. You might find it helpful to take notes about important discussion topics to help you later remember key points. Take note of any follow-up information or paperwork that is requested. However, don’t try taking such detailed notes that you don’t really listen to the attorney’s advice. It is more important to fully participate in the conversation while it is happening, and to be able to ask and answer questions as they arise.
Assess Your Level of Comfort With Attorney
Even if the attorney believes you have a valid claim or lawsuit and agrees to represent you, you are not obligated to hire this attorney. You should feel comfortable with the attorney, have your questions answered, and understand the next steps. It is your right to choose any representation you prefer, or even to choose no representation. If you are not ready to retain the attorney, do not sign any agreement.
Have you suffered a personal injury and wonder whether you should file a lawsuit? Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation meeting with Bennett Injury Law
