when lawyers advertise offering a free consultation does the consultation have to be with a lawyer

by Precious Reynolds 7 min read

It is important to remember that attorneys have no obligation to offer free consultations. Some may charge small fees for consultations, but law firms and lawyers offer free consultations primarily to attract new clients. This means the attorney is hoping to make a good impression so clients will hire him or her to handle their lawsuits.

Full Answer

Do all lawyers offer free consultations?

Some lawyers offer free consultations, but don’t necessarily declare it on their website and/or in advertising. Don’t be afraid to be direct and ask for a free consultation if you feel one is warranted.

How do I schedule a free consultation with a lawyer?

Once again, most personal injury and wrongful death lawyers offer a free initial consultation. To schedule a free consultation with our office on any type of Tennessee personal injury or wrongful case, please call 615.742.4880 or 866.812.8787 (toll-free) or fill out this form and send it to our office. Comments are closed.

Should I ask for a free consultation?

Some lawyers offer free consultations, but don’t necessarily declare it on their website and/or in advertising. Don’t be afraid to be direct and ask for a free consultation if you feel one is warranted. Most firms know how important this initial appointment is to ensure you’re both a good fit for one another. What is the Purpose?

Does a free consultation mean no attorney-client privilege?

If a lawyer offers a free consultation, does that mean no attorney-client privilege and he can disclose the meeting's details? Most disclaimers state that no attorney-client relationship is being established before a retainer fee is paid. If the consultation is for the purpose of seeking legal advice, the discussion should be deemed privileged.

Are free consultations really free?

It's true: Free legal consultations really are free. Don't hesitate to take advantage of them if you were injured and want to find out about your legal options.

How do lawyers advertise?

For decades, attorneys have taken advantage of traditional advertising in the form of law firm print ads, billboards, and more. Now, thanks to modern technology, attorneys also have access to effective digital advertising in the form of pay-per-click (PPC) ad campaigns, search advertising, and social media.

What are the rules for advertising?

Under the watchful eye of the FTC, the following general advertising rules must be followed:Ads must be truthful and non-deceptive.Businesses must have evidence to back up their claims.Ads can't be unfair, meaning the advertisement can't cause substantial injury to consumers that consumers can't reasonably avoid.

Are lawyers allowed to advertise their services?

A lawyer's best advertisement is a well-merited reputation for professional capacity and fidelity to trust based on his character and conduct. For this reason, lawyers are only allowed to announce their services by publication in reputable law lists or use of simple professional cards.

What Is a Free Law Consultation?

A law consultation is an initial meeting with a lawyer that allows you to discuss your issue and their approach before you decide to hire them to represent you. Many attorneys offer free legal consultations for prospective clients, which gives you a chance to explore your options without being charged a fee for their time.

What Is Discussed at a Free Legal Consultation?

Because there are so many different reasons for a person to pursue legal counsel from an experienced lawyer, what you discuss during the consultation varies quite a bit. Typically, you and the attorney will talk about at least a few key details in a free legal consultation, such as:

How to Research and Evaluate Your Legal Issue

Some legal matters require professional expertise, while others can be resolved on their own. In order to fully understand your legal issue and determine the kind of help you need, you should follow these steps:

How to Prepare for a Law Consultation

Before you have a free consultation with an attorney, you should make sure that you're appropriately prepared by gathering any documents that you think could be relevant to your claim. The attorney will be able to go through the documents to determine which ones are pertinent. Here are some examples of documents you could bring with you:

Meet some of our Lawyers

Melissa Green joined the American Medical Association (AMA) as an Assistant General Counsel in November 2019. In her role at the AMA, Melissa supports the CPT and Masterfile licensing programs, in addition to supporting the legal needs of the Professional Satisfaction and Practice Sustainability business unit.

Thomas G. Wilkinson Jr

Most disclaimers state that no attorney-client relationship is being established before a retainer fee is paid. If the consultation is for the purpose of seeking legal advice, the discussion should be deemed privileged. Many states have adopted a rule of professional conduct that applies to...

Eric Edward Rothstein

Does the disclaimer say “no attorney-client privilege” or “no attorney-client relationship?” It could be that he means “relationship” so no client can claim he became their lawyer without paying a retainer fee. Did you ask the attorney whether or not what you discuss before paying a retainer...

Andrew Daniel Myers

Whether or not an attorney-client relationship is established, thus creating obligatory confidentiality, is not up to the attorney's discretion, but rather, is in the rules of professional conduct and the authorities that administer the rules. I am not licensed in New York. However, in a general sense, most applicable rules...

Joseph Jonathan Brophy

I would be nervous about consulting with an attorney who has such a disclaimer. It's one thing to post anonymously to Avvo and receive general information. That's what is happening right now. It's quite another to give an attorney all your identifying information and confide your legal problem without any assurance of confidentiality...

What is a free consultation?

A free consultation is essentially an appointment, either by telephone or in person, with an attorney and/or their legal team. This service is intended to grant you the opportunity to meet with the lawyer and get to know them – an important step in seeing whether you can work well together. The average free consultation is short (generally, ...

How long does a lawyer consultation take?

A consultation for a simple divorce, on the other hand, might only take about 15 minutes over the telephone.

How to write a case?

Start by writing down a list of the most important aspects of your case. Keep this short, direct, and to the point. Keep this with you when you go. It’s also wise to bring a pen and paper with you. A tablet or smartphone works, too, if you prefer technology instead.

Is it better to hire a lawyer or a lawyer?

It is far better to connect with a true legal expert – a lawyer – instead. The law is complex and rife with grey areas that aren’t always easy for the average layperson to understand. An attorney is best equipped to help you navigate your case. In most cases, hiring a lawyer starts with an initial consultation.

Can you ask for a consultation in California?

Once you identify someone suitable, you can ask them to arrange a consultation directly. All legal referral services are regulated and mandated by the California Bar. They must provide you with recommendations that are truly in your best interests at all times. You can trust them to find the right person for the job.

Do lawyers offer free consultations?

Some lawyers offer free consultations, but don’t necessarily declare it on their website and/or in advertising. Don’t be afraid to be direct and ask for a free consultation if you feel one is warranted. Most firms know how important this initial appointment is to ensure you’re both a good fit for one another.

Carl R. Vahl

File a bar complaint against the lawyer for a conflict of the RPC's. You cannot lie to clients and expect to get away with this type of conduct.

Larry Jerome Couture

While I agree that it is entirely inappropriate to bill a client after a free consultation when no fee agreement was entered into for the subsequent research, I am disturbed by how quickly some are willing to advise an anonymous poster to file a grievance or bar complaint. I am not questioning the truthfulness of the person asking the question, but I shudder to think at what kind of professional....

Shane Michael O'Rourke

Sounds like communication error. Have polite but direct communication with the attorney to see if you can change position -- or if the position is even valid or just office error.

John Robert Bonin

If you visited but did nit hire the counsel, a later bill seems out of place. It is unclear if you have addressed this to counsel or not. It would be appropriate for you to do so

Kevin H. Pate

It doesn't sound like you had agreed to pay for anything, but I'd recommend that you contact the attorney and just find out what's going on. Could be as simple as a billing error.