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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.
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.
When you need to hire an attorney for legal services, you want to be sure to hire the right person for your case. Most lawyers offer a free consultation so that you have a chance to determine if he or she is the right person for you.
Another important component of selecting an attorney is finding out how the firm will handle and manage your case. In large firms, it is common for other attorneys to work on the case, so the people actually doing the work on your case might not be the person you first meet with.
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...•
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.
Address an attorney as "Mr." or "Ms." in most contexts. In the salutation for a letter or email, address an attorney the same way you would any other respected professional- using "Mr." or "Ms." followed by their surname. Generally, this is the best way to address an attorney if you've never spoken to them before.
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.
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.
Drafting Legal Documents: How to Keep It SimplePlan Out the Document Before You Begin. ... Write with Clear and Concise Language. ... Ensure the Correct Use of Grammar. ... Be as Accurate as Possible. ... Make Information Accessible. ... Ensure All Necessary Information Is Included. ... Always Use an Active Voice. ... Pay Attention to Imperatives.More items...
Begin your traditional letter or email with "Dear Mr. ..." or "Dear Ms...", followed by the attorney's surname and a colon. For example, use "Dear Mr. Smith:" to address the attorney. If you write legal letters frequently, save this template to use in future correspondence.
0:081:20What To Say When You Call An Attorney - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKnow kind of ballpark. Terms where you're coming from. And then you can elaborate on your specific.MoreKnow kind of ballpark. Terms where you're coming from. And then you can elaborate on your specific.
An attorney must always do what they say they will in a prompt and timely manner as unreasonable delay may adversely affect the outcome of your case.
Whenever it is the individual that is making the decision, not corporate, beige or tan suits are the way to go. Blue or Grey lawyer suits help you to look, smart, hardworking and energetic.
Vests worn with short or long-sleeved shirts are also acceptable, as well as blouses knit tops and collared polo shirts. Acceptable pants include khakis, linen blends, silk, twills or corduroy and Capri pants that end close to the ankle.
Footwear Not to Ever Wear in Court: Flip-flop sandals. Athletic shoes. High-heel spikes.
Try to neatly and legibly write the most relevant details of your case on a page. This will help you elaborate your ideas and better communicate with your attorney. It's important to include key details such as:
It is not uncommon, between the anxiety surrounding your case and all the new information you are going to receive, for you to forget some questions you had for your lawyer. Avoid this headache by preparing a list of questions that are important to you when you are are home and still clearly remember what it is you want to know. For example:
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.
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 ...
Typical goals might include: review and provide comments on a contract or legal document. draft a will.
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.
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.
An initial meeting with your attorney is important, not just for exchanging information about your case, but also for building rapport and trust. Commonly, you will first have a short phone call with the lawyer, who will then ask to meet you in person. If you aren't yet certain you plan to use this lawyer, ...
What Should I Bring? 1 A pen and pad of paper or the electronic equivalent! In the course of your conversation with your attorney, you will surely want to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise. 2 A list of questions. Clients often have a million questions and concerns before a meeting, one or more of which they then forget to ask when sitting face to face with their attorney. Write these questions down ahead of time, to make sure you get every query answered while you're sitting there. 3 A check for the initial consultation fee, if your attorney charges one. This should be discussed ahead of the meeting. Nothing gets a lawyer-client relationship off on the wrong foot faster than forgetting to make your first payment. Presenting that fee immediately shows that you're taking the relationship seriously. 4 Any documents relevant to your case. If, for example, you are negotiating a lease and want the lawyer to review it, you should obviously bring a copy of the draft lease. If possible, make multiple copies of each document you give to your lawyer, so that you can take a set back home. (Or you can ask the lawyer's office to make the copies, but you'll likely be charged at premium rates for those.)
In the course of your conversation with your attorney, you will surely want to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise. A list of questions. Clients often have a million questions and concerns before a meeting, one or more of which they then forget to ask when sitting face to face with their attorney.
Be honest. Remember that, even if you do not end up hiring the lawyer, everything you tell him or her during your meeting is generally subject to the attorney-client privilege. (The biggest exception to this, not surprisingly, is if you tell your lawyer that you are going to commit a crime, which information the lawyer may be duty-bound ...
Much like getting a second medical opinion before a surgery, it is common to seek advice from two or more lawyers before committing. The attorney-client relationship is important, and you need to feel comfortable with your choice.
By the end of your meeting, you should leave with a clear understanding of what you've accomplished and what's ahead. Remember, you are under no obligation to hire a particular attorney merely because you had an initial meeting.
In most cases, honesty is in your best interest. Lawyers seldom see cases that are cut and dried, with one party completely the "good guy.". It 's much better for the lawyer to know any bad news up front than to be surprised later with revelations you failed to share.
Call an attorney. Most of us offer free consultations and are happy to answer questions over the phone.
Call the attorney and see if they offer a free consultation. If it's a potential criminal matter most defense attorneys do offer a free consultation.
Most attorneys offer a free initial consultation. If you look at their website it will usually tell you. Have you been charged with a crime?
Before you call and schedule an appointment or consultation with just any attorney, do your research. There are dozens of attorneys in the area and you want to make sure you are choosing the best individual for your type of case, a specific area of law, and more.
During your first appointment, the child custody lawyer in Erie will likely request many documents that relate to your case. This could vary depending on the type of case, the area of law, and more. To make the process run more smoothly and to prevent any unnecessary delays from occurring, have all paperwork ready to be presented to the attorney.
During your first appointment, you will want to discuss the financial aspects of hiring the specific individual. Depending on the case and the attorney or firm you are hiring, this can cost you a significant amount of money. Each firm and attorney may bill differently, such as charge by the hour or require a flat fee.
To ensure you make the most of your time with the attorney, have a list of questions prepared to ask them. These can be very basic questions, or they can relate specifically to your case. A few questions you may want to ask at the first appointment include:
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 with your case regardless of whether you hire that lawyer or any other one.
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. So fax the documents to the law office before the meeting.
Remember, the attorney will keep this information confidential, unless required to share it with a court because it is relevant to the legal matter or with law enforcement for a public-safety reason. You may think the information is too trivial or embarrassing to mention, but it may well be extremely important, so share it.
Even if you have no court papers yet, you may have on hand or could readily obtain documents that could be helpful.
It is usually in your best interest to meet with the attorney alone, even if the other person is paying for the appointment. Your friend (s) or loved one (s) can wait in the lobby. To avoid interruptions, be sure to turn off all cell phones or other electronic devices just before your appointment.
Meeting with a lawyer for an initial consultation is generally not a chance to ask legal questions that are in depth, but is instead an opportunity to get a sense as to whether this lawyer is the right one to handle your case. Use this meeting to help you decide which lawyer will be the best one for your case.
An important question to ask a lawyer is what the strategy for your case will be and the outcome the lawyer expects. You’ll want to get details on what kind of procedures to expect. Ask how long it will take for the entire case to be resolved. Discuss the legal strategies that will be used. Find out if your attorney will attempt to settle and if mediation or arbitration are options. Think about the answers and if you are comfortable with them. Maybe you want to avoid a trial at all costs but your attorney really wants to just go to trial, or perhaps you have no intention of settling and want your day in court. It is important that your lawyer’s strategy lines up with your needs.
Meeting with a small business attorney is an important way to get your business off to a good start and minimize future risks. Here are questions to ask at your first meeting.
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 ...
It is generally not very helpful to ask where the attorney went to law school since you can find this information online and it often tells you nothing useful anyhow. Focus instead on experience with your type of case. You can also ask the average verdict the lawyer has obtained in your type of case.