how to ask a lawyer about a timeline

Ask the attorney to explain this plan in detail, along with its benefits and potential setbacks. In regard to their case management: 10. What is the anticipated time frame for the case? You should ask for an estimate on how long your case might come to a settlement.

Full Answer

How do you start a timeline for a litigator?

This starting point also makes sense in light of a litigator’s goal—a litigator needs to tell a cohesive story, and the relative timing of various events can help the litigator knit those events into a pattern. To design a timeline, we need to understand how the litigator will use the timeline to tell his or her story.

How to create a legal timeline for a case?

As you can see, issues can be tied to a claim or they can remain separate. The next step in creating a legal timeline is to add a cast of characters to your case. You can add both businesses and people, and you can assign them roles, such as client, opposing party, or witness.

How to prepare for a lawyer-client interview?

No matter how many lawyer-client interviews you’ve conducted, it’s still important to prepare by reviewing the client’s file. You’ll also need to plan the interview structure and prepare attorney-client interview questions. You’ll also want to be ready with a strategy to manage expectations (we’ll go into more detail below).

What should I ask my lawyer before meeting?

Also, send along copies of any available documents that the lawyer may have requested in the questionnaire. 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.

Timeline Design Questions

In designing a timeline here at Cogent Legal, we will start by asking some questions:

The Static Timeline: Limited, But It Has Its Uses

The sample graphic in this post, a timeline of litigation events in the ITC and district court, is what we refer to as a “static timeline.”

Some situations to consider using a static timeline

The timeline will be used in printed format, perhaps as an exhibit to a brief or on an easel in court.

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 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. Obviously, the nature of the evidence will vary dramatically from one type of case to another. As you prepare to meet with your lawyer, try ...

What are the goals of a lawyer?

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

What to include in a dispute narrative?

Some important details to include in that narrative include: names of the key players in your dispute. date the dispute or problem began. type of the dispute (harassment, contract, divorce) key events of your dispute, including a "who, what, where, when and why" narrative, and. current status of your dispute.

What documents are used to dispute a contract?

contracts (such as employment agreements , leases, promissory notes, and the like) financial documents (for example, if you'll be drafting a will or starting a company) correspondence (letters, emails, or text messages between you and the other party or otherwise relevant to your dispute)

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.

Why is it important to prepare for a first consultation?

In short, preparation for your first consultation meeting is critical. Strong preparation will save time and money. It will also ensure that all of your questions are answered, and that your attorney has all the information needed in order to effectively represent you.

Why Build a Case Chronology?

Before we cover how to create a legal timeline, let's first explore why you'd want to build one. The answer is that you're already building a chronology in each case; but the chronologies you currently build probably have several disadvantages. These chronologies appear in your pleadings, briefs, notes, discovery responses, and in your own memory.

Core Concepts Of Creating Legal Timelines

In order to get the most out of CaseFleet, it's important to understand a few core concepts about creating a legal timeline. The concepts are mostly intuitive, but there are a few things we've added to increase the power of CaseFleet that also increase its complexity a little. Don't worry, it's still very easy to use!

How To Create A Legal Timeline

When creating legal timelines, there are a few best practices to follow. These steps can help you create legal timelines for court cases: 1. Create Issues 2. Link Contacts 3. Add Facts 4. Filter Facts 5. Link Evidence

Step 1: Creating Issues

Step one in using CaseFleet is creating issues. Each issue serves as a category or tag for the facts you'll be adding later. You can optionally add a description for each issue, but all that an issue needs is a name.

Step 2: Linking Contacts

The next step in creating a legal timeline is to add a cast of characters to your case. You can add both businesses and people, and you can assign them roles, such as client, opposing party, or witness. If you already have a contact record for the character in CaseFleet, you can search for the existing record and link it to the case.

Step 3: Adding Facts

Now that you've completed the basic set up for your case chronology, you can begin creating facts that are linked to both issues and contacts. When you're typing in the text of the fact, simply type "@" whenever you want to refer to one of the contacts. This is how you link contacts to facts.

Step 4: Filtering Facts

In some cases, you'll have a lot of facts. Indeed, it's not uncommon to have hundreds of facts in a complex case. We do not recommend consuming that much information in one sitting! Instead, for the most part, you'll want to review and edit only a subset of facts at a given time.

Why do lawyers write letters?

The reason for writing the letter is to let the lawyer know exactly what is needed. Simple language is the best. There is no need to try and impress him with big words. Using outdated phrases such as “in regards to” or “advise me” would be better simply put as “regarding” or “let me know”. Keep the letter short and to the point.

Why do you need a letter to an attorney?

A letter to an attorney can be the first step to getting the help that is needed. There are several reasons to ask a lawyer for help . A letter can ask for initial help with a variety of issues. Help may be needed to know what is happening with a pending case such as a child custody case or a car accident.

What is the body of a letter to a lawyer?

The body of the letter is the main reason for writing to the lawyer. If there are questions being asked, explain why they are being asked. If important information is being referenced make certain names, places, dates, and any other pertinent facts are included. This will ensure that the attorney knows exactly what is needed from him.

What is a legal timeline?

A legal or litigation timeline is a system of organizing all relevant events for a case in chronological order and displaying them in the form of a timeline. This can include:

Tips on how to create a timeline for court cases

Clarity, a strong logical connection between elements, and a coherent narrative constitute the cornerstones of an effective legal case timeline. To achieve this, we recommend the following:

When can the legal timeline of events be used?

We have created this free legal timeline template with flexibility in mind. As of such, you can just as easily use it in a business litigation, construction litigation, personal injury litigation, intellectual property litigation or a liability litigation to anchor the timing of the key facts in the jury’s minds.

Updating your template is simple and fast

Use the Office Timeline PowerPoint add-in to quickly update any of these timeline templates or create your own project visuals. Easily change the texts, dates, colors, shapes and styles of your timeline, right from inside PowerPoint.

How to tell your lawyer everything?

You should: follow through on what you agree to do. prepare a written summary and chronology of events. tell your lawyer everything. understand that your lawyer has a duty to keep whatever you say confidential. inform your lawyer of new developments. respect your lawyer's time and schedule.

What to do when a lawyer doesn't communicate?

When you initially retain counsel, your lawyer should: explain the options available in your legal matter. discuss strategy.

Why do bar associations monitor lawyers?

Bar associations tasked with monitoring attorneys go after lawyers who steal or violate specific ethical rules—not lawyers who just aren't very good. Part of the reason is that what constitutes a "good job" is somewhat relative. For instance, a client might expect an acquittal in a criminal case.

What happens if you don't communicate with your lawyer?

Communication problems create problems in all types of relationships—including between an attorney and client. If you don't know what's going on in your lawsuit, you might assume you have a bad lawyer. To the contrary, your attorney could be doing a great job. Either way, a lawyer who doesn't communicate case progress is invariably increasing, not decreasing, your stress.

Why is it important to hire a lawyer?

When you hire a lawyer, it's important that your fee agreement is in writing and that you understand it. It's a simple way to avoid a common cause of contention with clients—the legal bills.

Can you hear from a lawyer who is in trial?

For instance, it's common to hear less frequently from a lawyer who is in trial. But someone in the office should be able to explain when you'll hear from your attorney and assure you that the office is handling your case appropriately. Find out how to hire the right attorney.

Can a client expect an acquittal in a criminal case?

For instance, a client might expect an acquittal in a criminal case. However, other private criminal attorneys might consider a reduction from a felony to a misdemeanor charge a job well done.

What to do when asking lawyer interview questions?

The best thing you can do when asking your lawyer-client interview questions during your initial consultation is just listen. This is the time when the client should be doing most of the talking. Follow client communication best practices and try to avoid cutting them off or filling in pauses.

What should be the first step in a client interview?

Review the client’s file. The initial client interview should be for asking questions, not for learning basic client details. Before the interview, ask for any relevant information and documents so you can review them in advance.

Why is client interview important?

The client interview is part of your overall client intake process, so it’s important to track it for efficiency and ensure that no potential clients get missed. If you’re using online client intake software, you can easily track and see a potential client’s status in stages (for example, “needs a follow up”).

How to conduct a conflict check?

Conduct a thoughtful pre-screen and conflict check 1 Pre-screen: Before you book the interview, have a set pre-screening process. Ask for basic information (for example, via an intake questionnaire) to help you decide if the client may (or may not) be a fit for your firm. You can make this process simpler for the client by using an online intake forms tool, like Clio Grow. 2 Conflict check: You’ll also want to do a conflict check before proceeding to ensure there are no conflicts of interest or other reasons that will prevent you from working with someone. Here again, an online intake tool can make this easier for you and the client. Clio Grow, for example, can be part of a robust conflict check process.

What to do after reviewing client file?

Once you’ve reviewed the client’s file, prepare your questions for the client, and take some time to anticipate questions that the client may have for you. We’ll discuss more on what answers (for clients) lawyers should prep for before the interview below.

How to make a client feel comfortable?

You may deal with the law every day, but pursuing a legal issue can be stressful, draining, and even scary for potential clients. With this in mind, do your best to be emotionally sensitive and make them feel as at ease as possible.

Is it bad to not show up for an interview?

Especially if you’ve taken the time to thoroughly prepare for the interview, there’s nothing worse than a no-show. While some no-shows are unavoidable, often a simple confirmation email and a reminder can ensure your potential client makes the meeting.