how to prepare for a meeting with a new lawyer

by Mr. Lavern Pollich III 8 min read

Tips For Meeting With Your Lawyer For the First Time
  1. Dress To Impress. ...
  2. Be Ready To Give Your Attorney Important Information About Yourself. ...
  3. Gather Your Evidence And Have It Ready For Your First Meeting. ...
  4. Get Your Facts Straight. ...
  5. Plan Something You Can Look Forward To For After Your Meeting.

What to do before meeting an attorney for the first time?

Be prepared to provide your: home address work address employer's name and address home phone number work phone number mobile phone number fax number, and email address Key Facts About Your Case Your lawyer will surely ask you to describe the key facts leading up to your decision to meet with an attorney.

What does a lawyer want to know when meeting you?

Jun 01, 2020 · 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 …

When do you need to schedule a consultation meeting with an attorney?

Dec 09, 2019 · Gather Your Evidence And Have It Ready For Your First Meeting You want to make sure you have gathered all the necessary documents, photos, and evidence. Keep everything safe in a manilla folder for your lawyers or lawyer to review the day of your meeting. 4. Get Your Facts Straight Regarding your case, prepare to have all of your facts straight.

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

Oct 17, 2011 · The problem is, even though family law issues are all over the news, many people feel clueless about how to prepare for a meeting with their family lawyer. So, here are a few pointers on what to do and (probably more importantly) what not to do when meeting with your family lawyer for the first time: 1) Research Legal Issues and Document Facts

image

What you should know before you talk to a lawyer?

10 Things You Should Know Before Contacting a LawyerHave Your Documents Ready. ... Research the Elements of Your Case. ... Don't Call if You Just Have a Question. ... You May Not Speak to a Lawyer Right Away. ... Do Not Ask the Legal Support Staff for Advice. ... Don't Provide Too Much Information. ... Answer the Lawyer's Specific Questions.More items...•Feb 6, 2020

What should I wear when meeting with an attorney?

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.Sep 4, 2019

How do you prepare to talk to a lawyer?

How to Prepare for a Lawyer ConsultationFinding the Right Attorney. Before you can have an attorney consultation, you need to find a lawyer who might be a good fit. ... Background Knowledge. ... The Legal Plan. ... Working with Your Attorney. ... Money Matters.

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

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

What color should a woman wear to court?

The best color to wear to court is probably navy blue or dark gray. These colors suggest seriousness. At the same time, they do not come with the negative connotations that are often associated with the color black (for instance, some people associate black with evil, coldness, and darkness).

Can you wear jeans to mediation?

You want to be well-groomed and dress somewhat conservatively. Button-down shirts and blouses, sweaters, slacks or khakis are all appropriate choices. You may also wear jeans to a deposition or mediation if they are clean and without tears.Aug 23, 2019

What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

How often should I hear from my attorney?

You should never be afraid or feel like an intrusion to contact your attorney every three weeks or so, or more frequently if there is a lot going on with your health or other matters related to your legal case. There is of course a limit to how much you should be contacting or sharing.Jun 17, 2020

How do I present my case to my lawyer?

Consider how much you are willing to do to organize your evidence, provide your witness contacts, write down a chronology (time line) of events, and generally sell yourself to your attorney, as well as the case, by appearing organized. Tell your story in the shortest possible way.Jun 15, 2013

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?More items...•Apr 13, 2018

What do most lawyers charge for a contingency fee?

Typically the contingency rate free ranges from 33%-45% of the recovery. A contingency fee agreement is a payment arrangement that enables injured victims pursuing legal recourse to have legal representation, even if they do not have the financial ability to pay a lawyer out of pocket.Aug 3, 2021

What do you say when you call a lawyer?

0:251:20What 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. Situation. And when you keep it simple in the beginning it really does make it easier.

what products do you offer?

Family Law, Child Custody Law, Divorce Law, Criminal Defense

What are your hours?

Mo 08:00-17:00; Tu 08:00-17:00; We 08:00-17:00; Th 08:00-17:00; Fr 08:00-17:00

what is your business address?

303 North Walnut Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130, US

what payments do you accept?

Cash, Credit Card

What is the phone number to a business?

(615) 809-1410

What do you know about my business?

Hunter Fowler is a Murfreesboro divorce, family law, and criminal defense attorney. He focuses on divorce, child custody, and criminal defense in M...

Welcome Message

Welcome to Hunter Fowler, Attorney at Law! You can ask about Family Law, Child Custody, Divorce, and Criminal Defense Law.

Help Message

Hunter specializes in Family Law, Divorce Law, and Criminal Defense. If you need more information, go to our website at Mid TN Lawyer Dot Com.

Fallback Message

Hunter specializes in Family Law, Divorce Law, and Criminal Defense. If you need more information, go to our website at Mid TN Lawyer Dot Com.

Exit Message

Hunter Fowler understands your unique situation and will listen to your special case.

What is the purpose of a consultation?

The purpose of the consultation is to summarize your situation for the attorney and to find out about his or her qualifications and fees. To prepare, you should begin by gathering all relevant documents. Then write up a list of questions. Remember not to be late to your consultation.

What is the purpose of a questionnaire?

The purpose of the form is to provide the attorney with the information he or she needs to properly analyze your case. You should receive the form in the mail or as an attachment to an email.

What is compensatory damages?

In that situation, you can get “compensatory damages.”. This is a sum of money that reimburses you for money spent treating your injury. You may have to bring copies of the following: Receipts for money spent treating a physical injury. Get copies of medical bills, receipts for prescription drugs, etc.

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 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 is a meeting with a lawyer?

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.

Why is it important to meet with a small business attorney?

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.

What to ask a lawyer about a 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.

Why do lawyers offer free consultations?

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 ...

What to do after meeting with a lawyer?

This is normal. Reopening wounds, new or old, can do that. It’s significant that you plan something pleasant to do after your first meeting with your lawyer. Plan a shopping trip with friends , meet with your favorite relative for lunch, or treat yourself to your favorite meal immediately after your meeting. This can settle any negative feelings you may have, and properly prepare you for your court date.

How to dress for a divorce lawyer?

You don’t have to opt for formal wear necessarily, but make sure you look presentable. Wear business casual attire. Women can wear a nice dress with dress shoes, while men can wear khakis with a nice polo. There are no strict and exact rules here, but try to make the best impression possible.

What is being honest about?

Being honest is about more than just telling the truth, it’s about sharing everything and not holding anything back. Remember, your lawyer is here to help you and relies heavily on your transparency. Withholding any information can put your case at serious risk. A last-minute surprise in trial can be disastrous. It’s important that your lawyer knows every detail, so they can be as prepared as possible.

Do lawyers owe money for medical cases?

Medical cases may seem expensive, but the good news is that most lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you shouldn’t owe any money unless your lawyer wins the case. Good news! But don’t forget to nail down the specifics. You’ll want to know and understand each and every expense you may be responsible for. You’ll likely owe the firm a percentage of your winnings, and will need to reimburse any litigation fees.

Is talking to a lawyer a professional conversation?

Every day we engage in professional conversations. Just think about it. You may have a conversation with your doctor, dentist, accountant, coworker, or boss on any given day. Talking to a lawyer is a professional conversation, just like the rest.

image