March 29, 2024

Preparing for Your First Attorney-Client Meeting

Clients and attorneys alike should be prepared for their first meeting together. The attorney will want to know your contact information, your personal background, as well as the facts surrounding your case, such as the names of the companies and individuals involved.

As the client, you can best prepare for the meeting by organizing your thoughts and questions on paper, and by collecting, copying, and organizing any documents that may be relevant to your case.  Written documentation of your injury and damages, such as medical bills and records, and police reports, may be particularly important. If your injury requires long-term care, or if you have suffered long-term injuries, it may be worthwhile to list the anticipated future costs of such injuries.

Take advantage of the face-to-face meeting with your attorney by preparing your questions beforehand. First, you should determine whether your attorney is qualified to represent you. Don’t be afraid to ask the following questions:

  • How many personal injury trials has she handled? Of those, how many involved your particular injury? What was the outcome?
  • How long has she been in practice?
  • What percentage of your practice is devoted to personal injury?
  • Does she usually represent the plaintiff or the defendant?
  • Will she be personally handling your case, or will her associate?

Be sure to ask to see a potential legal services contract and read it carefully. Because money is of importance to both clients and attorneys, ask:

  • What are her fees? Will she be working on an hourly or contingency basis?
  • Who will be responsible for costs, such as filing fees, service fees, and expert fees? What other costs does she anticipate?

With regard to your particular case, ask:

  • What is the legal process?
  • What complications does she foresee in your case?
  • What possible defenses might be raised?
  • How long will it take to resolve your case?
  • What do I stand to recover?

Do not hesitate to ask questions. A good attorney will appreciate your interest and

participation, and will understand your need to understand the legal principles and procedure involved. Keep in mind that an attorney that is unwilling to devote her attention and time to an initial meeting with you will likely prove even more unresponsive as your case develops.

 

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