The first meeting with an attorney can not only establish whether they’re the right person for your legal matter but also solidify whether you have a substantial case. This critical conversation will cover a lot of information, so it is essential that you come armed with questions to ask as well as any valuable details about your case.

What to Expect During Your First Meeting With an Attorney

1. Logistics

When speaking face-to-face with your attorney, you want to iron out the details of your representation in full. Is the lawyer you hired going to work with you directly, or will you mostly interact with paralegals or associates of the firm? What is the cost of their legal fees? How frequently can you expect updates on your case? Having a sense of your dynamic with your attorney will help your case go more smoothly, as there won't be unanswered questions or unmet expectations to blindside you going forward.

2. Conflicts of Interest

Another unexpected obstacle could be a conflict of interest on the attorney’s end. If their firm takes on the opposition in your case as a client, for instance, they probably cannot represent you. Personal ties to a case can also pose a threat to the integrity of their representation.

3. Key Facts

The first meeting with your attorney will give them context to begin working on your case. Come prepared with a detailed account of your legal matter. If you have the time before your meeting, write down your story chronologically, noting any key players, dates, or locations that could help the lawyer’s research. While this summary should have specifics about the case, try to keep your story concise, streamlining the narrative to approximately a page of information along with a single sentence outlining your goal for pursuing legal action.

4. Evidence

If you have access to any evidence to help your case, try to have it ready for this conversation. Not only does this help your lawyer to understand your situation beyond your claims, but it also saves them the time—meaning fewer hours you have to pay them for their services. The type and scope of evidence you can gather will depend on your specific circumstances, but may include:

• Financial documents
• Correspondence related to the dispute
• Photos
• Police reports
• Witness statements and contact information
• Legal papers or handbooks outlining a breach of contract or code of conduct

5. Questions to Ask

You want to hire this attorney to be an expert on your legal matter, so don’t be afraid to bring out the tough questions to assure they’re who you want representing you. Try to consider what you want to know about your case at the start, and bring them to their attention during this initial conversation. Some questions to consider are:

• What problems do you anticipate in this case?
• How do you believe the opposing side will respond?
• How many cases similar to mine have you handled? What were their resolutions?
• What are my options?
• How long do you think these legal proceedings will take?

6. Goals

A legal case needs more than an angry plaintiff to have a substantial claim. Even if your reasoning for filing a lawsuit comes from anger, make sure you have a specific and reasonable objective to back it up. If you’re unsure of how to handle your situation in court, your lawyer can help guide you towards options that will reap the best outcome.

If you’re in a custody battle, for example, you might say that you want sole custody of your child. If there isn’t a reasonable rationale for why the other parent can’t have even partial custody of them—such as abusive behavior or substance abuse issues—then this conclusion probably isn’t realistic. An attorney can help you build a strong case to become the custodial parent and primary caregiver.

Landing a qualified attorney for your case takes a bit of preparation, including a bit of research into the right firm. In Fitzgerald, GA, residents rely on the Law Offices of Terrence J. Paulk, PC, for a multitude of legal matters. For over 30 years, they have worked one-on-one with clients to help them understand their case and review the options they have before making a plan of action. From personal injury and auto accident claims to family law and divorce cases, their lawyers are prepared for a variety of situations and will bring knowledge and skill to the negotiation table for you. To schedule a free initial consultation with their team, visit their website or call (229) 423-8783 to speak with one of their attorneys.